The Muhammad Ali Center, committed to fostering values of respect, confidence, and giving, sought to create a character education curriculum that could effectively communicate these principles to young learners. The challenge was to develop a comprehensive, engaging, and culturally relevant educational program that could be piloted and refined for broader implementation. The goal was to ensure that the curriculum not only conveyed the core values embodied by Muhammad Ali but also resonated with a 

The Muhammad Ali Center, located in Louisville, Kentucky, serves as a global gathering place for individuals committed to promoting respect, hope, and understanding. The Center is dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of Muhammad Ali through education and community engagement. In 2011, the Center collaborated with Symphonic Strategies to develop and implement the "Creating Our Future" Character Education Curriculum. This program was designed to impart the six core values that guided Muhammad Ali's life: Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect, and Spirituality.

Symphonic Strategies partnered with the Muhammad Ali Center to design a character education curriculum that was both modular and flexible, allowing for broad usage across different educational settings. The curriculum was structured around a tiered learning journey, progressively challenging participants as they advanced through the levels. The program integrated popular culture references and culturally relevant materials to engage students and make the content more relatable.

Key components of the curriculum included:

- Participant’s Workbook and Learning Journal: Tools for students to document their learning and reflect on the values discussed.

- Instructor’s Guide: A comprehensive resource for teachers to facilitate lessons and engage students effectively.

- Pre/Post-Assessments: Tools to measure the impact of the curriculum on students' understanding and internalization of the core values.

The implementation of the Creating Our Future curriculum followed a structured process:

1. Curriculum Development: Symphonic Strategies collaborated closely with the Muhammad Ali Center to develop the curriculum content. This included drafting lesson plans, designing learning activities, and creating assessment tools. The curriculum was modularized to allow instructors the flexibility to tailor lessons to their specific audiences and contexts.

2. Staff Pilot Implementation Training: A two-day training session was conducted to prepare the Center’s staff and educators for the pilot implementation. This "train-the-trainer" approach ensured that those leading the curriculum in classrooms were well-equipped to deliver the material effectively.

3. Final Curriculum and Evaluation Program: Based on the pilot phase, Symphonic Strategies finalized the curriculum and developed a training workbook and evaluation program. These resources were designed to support ongoing implementation and continuous improvement of the curriculum.

The Creating Our Future curriculum successfully achieved its goals of imparting Muhammad Ali's core values to young learners. Key outcomes included:

- Enhanced Student Engagement: The use of culturally relevant materials and popular culture references helped students connect with the curriculum, resulting in higher levels of engagement and participation.

- Scalability: The modular nature of the curriculum made it adaptable for various educational settings, allowing for potential expansion beyond the initial pilot.

The success of the Creating Our Future curriculum demonstrates the importance of culturally relevant and flexible educational programs. By grounding the curriculum in Muhammad Ali’s core values and making it adaptable to different learning environments, Symphonic Strategies and the Muhammad Ali Center have created a lasting impact on character education.

Are you looking to develop a character education program that resonates with today’s youth? Contact Symphonic Strategies today to learn how we can help you design a curriculum that inspires and empowers the next generation.