ETC Phoenix School's 5 Pillars of Excellence: Pillar #2, Integrity

Integrity is an important trait for any young Phoenix to possess. Having a high moral fortitude is paramount in the values that ETC Phoenix School instills within our students.

One of the top questions that I get asked when I tell parent's about our 5 Pillars of Excellence is, "Aren't Honesty and Integrity the same thing?" To which I always explain that while they are both cut from the same cloth, Integrity is a higher level of Honesty. See, you can be Honest and not have Integrity, but you cannot have Integrity if you are not Honest.

Integrity is defined as, "the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles". Honesty is a great first step towards Integrity, but Integrity is about having such strong morals and principles that Honesty isn't optional. You see, when God created man, he created us in his image and we were Good People by design. However, being a Good Person means nothing if you have no other options and that is why God gave us Free Will. If you have the choice to do the right thing or not and you consistently choose to always do the right thing, you have Integrity.

When I chose the 5 Virtues to make the Pillars of Excellence, there were many that were difficult to choose between and to be quite honest, I could have easily made the "30 Pillars of Excellence", but I chose the 5 that I chose because they were absolutes in what I want for each and every human being that I meet. Integrity was one of the Virtues that was never in danger of being cut from my list, because it is one of the single most important traits that a human being can possess.

When working with children who are still learning right from wrong, you get to see this conflict multiple times every single day. I truly believe that this is why it is so important to instill these values in our students. Teaching them that it's not just about being kind or honest when someone is watching or when there is a reward to be had, but rather the fact that it means so much more when you do kind and honest deeds because your morals tell you that it is what you should do.

This is why I teach my students to focus on the good feelings that you feel when you do nice things for others, to have a goal every day to influence other people's lives in a positive way. My students know that Random Acts of Kindness and being a Good Friend to their peers, families and everyone one that they meet, makes the world a better place and can make them feel good about the light that they are putting out into the world.

I have truly been blessed to have such amazing young people as my students. Most of them have truly blossomed in the short amount of time that I have known them and it makes my heart happy to see them being so kind, happy and honest with others. That's why, I have no doubts that my ETC Phoenix Students will do well in their lives and they will do so with more Integrity in their hearts and souls than there are stars in the sky!

All My Love and God Bless,

Dr. Frank Munroe

Founder/Director/STEAM Teacher

ETC Phoenix School

"In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned..." ~Titus 2:7-8