To honor the memory of Michelle’s years at Johnson, The Commitment to Character Award is presented to students that are identified as kind, strong, and safe. Especially safe with someone else’s feelings. The 2020 recipients of this award are Caroline W. and Isaac P. These students will return to Johnson next year as leaders of the school, representing the commitment to the character we encourage all students to achieve.
The Commitment to Character Award at Johnson Elementary School was created to honor the life work of Michelle Chalk. Michelle embodied all the character traits that Johnson strives to develop in students: caring, respect, responsibility, self-control, cooperation, trustworthiness, tolerance, hard work, and gratitude. This award was created to identify students who also embody these traits and who help to create an environment of inclusion and acceptance at Johnson.
In particular, this award hopes to identify emotionally safe students. Michelle was a girl who played with ALL children. She had empathy for kids who did not always fit in or who struggled socially. The Commitment to Character Award aims to identify one boy and one girl per school year who – like Michelle – not only includes others … but strives be a true friend.
– Whitney McKay