S1: Why Character – Episode 4

Dr. Marvin Berkowitz and Kristen Pelster discuss the “Why” behind character education and practical steps you can take within your character leadership journey personally and professionally.

In 1999 Dr. Marvin Berkowitz was the inaugural Ambassador H.H. Coors Professor of Character Development at the US Air Force Academy. He served as Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Ethics Studies at Marquette University. He was also the founder and Associate Director of the Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned his BA degree from the State University of NY at Buffalo in 1972. He earned his Ph.D. in Life-span Developmental Psychology at Wayne State University in 1977. He served as a Research Associate at the Center for Moral Development and Education at Harvard University from 1977-79. He has also served as a Visiting Professor at the

Max-Planck-Institute for Human Development and Education in Berlin (1987-88), as a Visiting Scholar for the Gordon Cook Foundation in Scotland (1995), and as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham, England (2019-2021).

He is joined by Kristen Pelster. She’s spent over two decades as an educator and then administrator. She’s a National School of Character recipient and a St. Louis Region Middle School Principal of the Year. For nearly a decade, Kristen served as the district leader for character education. Not satisfied with her school becoming a National School of Character, her work throughout Fox C-6 was recognized as a National District of Character.

That incredible journey took Kristen before the Senate in Washington, D.C., testifying on the positive impact of “social, emotional and character development.” Kristin is currently studying for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). Her educational achievements at UMSL include an Ed.S. in Education Administration, M.A. in Education Administration, and she is a graduate of the Leadership Academy in Character Education. Kristen received a B.A. in Music Education from Missouri Baptist University.