"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all." - Aristotle
Good Character - Good Life
Since 1992 Hal Urban has been passionately dedicated to the Character Education movement, and is recognized as one of the leaders in the field. What is Character Education? His definition is: "Bringing out the best in our young people – helping them discover the good in the world, in others, and in themselves, then act on it."
"I would recommend Hal Urban to any group that’s looking for a powerful and uplifting message.”
"As a program coordinator, I wish I could have Hal keynote every year."
"His hard-earned wisdom is always evident in his compelling stories."
"Nobody is a more credible advocate of character education and living a life that matters."
All of Hal's Books
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Hal Urban has been writing about good news, positive words, and good character for more than thirty years. This may be his best, and most timely, work yet. Even before the staggering losses of 2020, we were starving for GOOD NEWS. His main point is that there’s actually far more good news in the world than there is bad. It just needs more exposure. It has the power to uplift and enrich our lives.
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“If future teachers and those already in the classroom were to read one book to help them become the best teacher they could be, they could do no better than Lessons from the Classroom 20 Things Good Teachers Do. There’s wisdom, inspiration and nuts-and-bolts guidance on every page.”
-Dr. Thomas Lickona, Author
Educating for Character
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-Dr. Thomas Lickona, Author
Educating for Character
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A short, uplifting, and enjoyable read about being a good person and discovering the real meaning of success. This is Character Education at its best!
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Life’s Greatest Lessons is a wise, wonderful book. In it, Hal Urban, a parent and an award-winning teacher, presents twenty principles that are as deeply rooted in common sense as they are in compassion. The topics, gathered from a lifetime of teaching both children and adults, span a wide range of readily understood concepts, including attitudes about money, understanding the real meaning of “success,” and the importance of having fun. The book will help you find the best—in the world, in others, and in yourself. Classic in its simplicity and enduring in its appeal, Life’s Greatest Lessons helps us all rediscover that the desire to live a good life is timeless.
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People love Hal Urban's books because they're easy to read and are always full of sound, practical advice. Now comes the update of his much-loved bestseller Life's Greatest Lessons. Hal reminds us anew that there's a direct connection between good character and the quality of life. And once again, readers will find clear and simple guidance for increasing purpose, meaning, and joy in their lives.
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Although we live in an ocean of words, we rarely acknowledge their power to uplift or put down, to inspire or discourage, to help or hurt. But in this jewel of a book, Hal Urban — parent, award-winning teacher, and author of the classic Life's Greatest Lessons — shows us simple and immediate ways that we can use language to change lives — both our own and those around us.
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With Choices That Change Lives, Hal reminds us that our lives are the result of our choices and the most important choices we make become our character traits, the ones that lead to fulfillment and peace of mind. He illuminates fifteen character traits that help us more fully develop our capacity to live rich and rewarding lives. He assures us that it's never too late to change, to break the chains of self-defeating attitudes and habits, and challenges us to dig a little deeper — to grow in such qualities as humility, patience, empathy, and courage — and to renew ourselves daily.
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Urban draws on his own lifelong spiritual search — which has included Protestant churches, the Catholic church, some Eastern philosophies, and human potential psychology — to produce an ecumenical and nondogmatic examination of the Scriptures, finding in them clear and simple guidance for increasing both purpose and joy in our lives. Five of his principles are do's, as in "Keep a positive outlook on life" and "Bring out the best in other people." The other five are don't's, as in "Don't be seduced by popular culture" and "Don't judge other people." These ten commandments of timeless wisdom will inspire people of all faiths who are searching for more meaning and direction in their lives, no matter where it comes from.
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Dr. Hal is a dynamic and inspirational speaker who shares his wealth of knowledge about the relationship between good character and the quality of life. People of all ages and in a variety of organizations have been enriched by his common sense, wisdom, and humor. He does one-hour keynote addresses, two-day workshops, and everything in between. He has made more than a thousand presentations in forty-three states and eight foreign countries since 1992.
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For thirty-six years Hal Urban was an award-winning teacher at San Carlos and Woodside High Schools and at his alma mater, the University of San Francisco.
He is the author of eight books – all with an emphasis on good character. His first book, Life’s Greatest Lessons, was selected by Writer’s Digest as the Inspirational Book of the Year. For more information about his writings click on the Books page.
Hal Urban holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in history, and a Doctorate in education from the University of San Francisco. He has also done post-graduate study in the psychology of peak performance at Stanford University.
Since 1992 Dr. Urban has traveled more than two million miles while speaking nationally and internationally on positive character traits and their relationship to the quality of life.He has made more than a thousand presentations in forty-three states, Washington DC, and eight foreign countries. Additional information about his talks can be found on the Speaking page. In 2005 the Character Education Partnership in Washington DC presented Dr. Urban with its highest honor – the Sanford N. McDonnell Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 the University of San Francisco presented him with the Edward J. Griffin Education Alumni Award, also for lifetime achievement. Hal has a genuine love of life that includes several passions, chief among them are the three F’s – faith, family, and friends. His other main interests and activities are physical fitness, reading, sports, travel, photography, and life-long learning.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HAL...
“Hal has the unique ability to captivate an audience immediately with his warmth, wit, and sincerity. it’s obvious that he loves life, and he has a special gift for bringing out the best in other people. His hard-earned wisdom is always evident in his compelling stories. He takes his listeners on a joyous journey into how life can be when we develop the true goodness that is inherent in all of us.”
“Hal Urban has keynoted for several years at our Summer Institute in Character Education. Nobody gets higher evaluations. Nobody does a better job of combining humor, personal stories, and practical wisdom. Nobody is a more credible advocate of character education and living a life that matters. He is equally good at delivering an uplifting message to teachers, parents, and kids. That’s why we’ve recommended him to scores of groups around the country and around the world.”
Past Rotary International District Governor
“Hal’s outstanding delivery, humor, enthusiasm, and message have always earned him a standing ovation from a group of professional, business, and civic leaders who are accustomed to excellent speakers. I would recommend Hal Urban to any group that’s looking for a powerful and uplifting message.”
“As a program coordinator, I wish I could have Hal keynote every year. He is a phenomenal author, speaker, and human being. He exemplifies character and professionalism, and he touches people of all ages and walks of life with his positive energy and kindness.”