The staff of St. James has received professional development in the area of Project Essential from the Teel Institute, first in the Summer of 2001, and again in 2006. Project Essential is based on four Principles, which are incorporated into all of St. James School.

The first principle is Errors.

Errors are one of the best ways to learn and grow better. We will be practicing the ABC’s of correcting errors.

• Admit the error
• Be willing to accept the consequences
• Correct the error
• Do remember the correction

The second principle that we teach is self-control.

To maintain self-esteem, we must always try to recognize and properly use the differing roles of emotion and reason. Emotions are internal signs which tell us of our well being according to the values we hold, but are not always proper guides to action. Emotions can often trick us into behaving in ways that we may later regret. We will work on distinguishing between emotion and reason. We will often ask the children; Are you using your self-control? What are you feeling inside? Are you using the thinking part of your brain?

The third principle is responsibility.

We must all strive to fulfill the things in our lives for which we are truly responsible. To genuinely earn a sense of self-respect, we must do those things for which we are responsible. Accepting responsibility also builds a sense of capability and worthiness in each of us. However, self-respect suffers if we refuse to accept our own responsibilities, or if we accept responsibilities that rightfully belong to another. Distinguishing between the responsibilities that are ours and those that are not, and fulfilling those responsibilities and obligations, builds capability, independence, self-sufficiency, and self-reliance.

The fourth principle is the rights principle.

Give equal respect and weight to your own rights and the rights of others. To be
a person of genuine self-esteem, one must always seek to act in accordance with principles which give equal respect and weight to one’s own rights and to the rights of all others. There are certain rights which are inalienable to the human condition. These rights should be the same for every person, and should be upheld equally on behalf of all. The curriculum teaches the difference between needs, rights, desires, and privileges.