4-H CHARACTER COUNTS! conference includes national speaker
Tom Jackson, a nationally known speaker and author, will open the sixth annual South Dakota Character Education Conference set for June 23 and 24.
Karelyn Farrand, 4-H CHARACTER COUNTS! State Coordinator, said Jackson is a gifted and entertaining speaker and trainer.
"Tom's expertise is in the area of active learning, and he has developed a number of specific skill building activities that help kids avoid some of life's problems," Farrand said. "He does this by developing life skills such as communication, goal setting, decision making, anger management, relationship building, and diversity awareness."
Jackson's presentation is entitled "Moving From Preaching to Teaching." He will close the day with "Activities That Teach Life Skills."
Farrand said Jackson's teaching techniques have worked with a wide range of children.
"Tom gets his message across with enthusiasm and humor. His presentations are not ‘sit and soak' affairs," she said. "People don't attend his presentations, they experience them. Teachers and youth leaders say his presentations are among the most practical and useful they have ever attended."
Jackson is the author of five books. His use of active learning has proven effective with children and youth in classroom, group, community, and family settings.
The South Dakota Character Education Conference is set for June 23-24 at the Ramkota Inn and Convention Center in Sioux Falls. To register, contact your county Extension office or call Karelyn Farrand at (605) 626-7120.
The Joe and Elaine Floyd Fund of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, First Bank & Trust, the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council, Touchtone Energy, Avera Health, and numerous state and regional CHARACTER COUNTS! supporters through the South Dakota 4-H Foundation are sponsoring the South Dakota 4-H CHARACTER COUNTS! Character Education Conference.