Consulting
With nearly 40 years experience, Phil has taught at the elementary, middle and high school levels in North Carolina and Alaska. He has also been a site based and a central office administrator. With an academic background in philosophy, religion and psychology, Phil received his B.A. in philosophy and religion from Appalachian State University in 1976. He received his M.A. degree in a joint program in education and philosophy from Appalachian State in 1980 and his Ed.D in Education from North Carolina State University in 1991. His doctoral research examined how to facilitate moral reasoning with high school students. This focus on moral and ethical development was the basis of his research and work that has continued to the present.
​
Since 1995 Phil has been the Director of the Character Development Group a consulting company located in Boone, North Carolina. During this time, he has worked over 1500 days with schools, school districts, and communities throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Singapore assisting them in their conception and efforts in comprehensive character education/school reform efforts. He has also keynoted many state and national conferences. Presently he is doing extensive work with Wicomico County Schools in Salisbury, MD where he is assisting schools on developing positive school climates, relationships and restorative practices.
Phil has authored, co-authored or edited over 25 books including: Relationships + Rules + Routines = Results (2013), Restoring School Civility (2009) , Rules and Procedures: The First Step in School Civility (2003), Promising Practices in Character Education: Vols. 1 & 2 (1996 & 1999). Developing Character in Students (1995 & 1999 2nd edition). In 2011 he co- authored with Doug Grove and Michael Corrigan, Multi-Dimensional Education: A Common Sense Approach to Data Drive Thinking. He has also written numerous journal articles over the years as well as authoring or co-authoring multiple federal grants (nearly 11 million dollars of research) from the United States Department of Education.
​
Phil was the recipient of the “Sandy McDonald Award for Lifetime Achievement in Character Education” at the Character Education Partnership 2007 national conference. During the same year he was also recognized at the Canadian National Conference in Character Education for his work in Canada.
​
Please contact Phil if you feel he might be able to assist your school or school district in the areas of: school civility, developing relationships and routines, character education, school climate and assessments via his work with MDED.
​