• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Scholarship
  • Grants
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Scholarship
  • Grants

Member Schools Portal

MEMBER SCHOOLS PORTAL >> SELF-CONTROL

SELF-CONTROL vs UNRESTRAINED

DEFINITION: “Self-control is being mindful of my thoughts, feelings and behaviors and exhibiting restraint to yield a better outcome.”

COMPANION TRAITS:   Discipline, Temperance, Attentiveness, Moderation, Chastity, Patience, Dignity

Quotes

“Not everything that is good for you is fun and not everything that is fun is good for you.” – Michael Josephson

“Never do something permanently foolish just because you are temporarily upset.” – Anonymous

“Self-discipline begins with your thoughts. If you don’t control what you think, you can’t control what you do.” – Anonymous

“By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.” – Grenville Kleise

“The difference between want and need is self-control.” – Anonymous

“The only person you have control over is yourself. You can change how you see a situation or remove yourself from it, but you cannot change the other person.” – Oprah Winfrey

“You have to train your mind to be tougher than your emotions. I promise it’ll take you so much further.” – JUSTICEBRANAI

“Self-Control is the only possible road to character development.” – Dennis Prager

“Self-control is the chief element in self-respect, and self-respect is the chief element in courage.” – Thucydides

“The difference between want & need is self-control.” – Unknown

“Discipline is choosing between what you want now, and what you want most.”  – Abraham Lincoln

“Never let your emotions overpower your intelligence.” Unknown

“If you lose self-control everything will fall.” – John Wooden

“The more self-discipline you have, the more you do the things you should do, the happier your future self will be.” – Maxime Lagace

“By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.”r Grenville Kleise

“The only person you have control over is yourself. You can change how you see a situation or remove yourself from it, but you cannot change the other person.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Self-control is knowing you can… But deciding you won’t.” – Unknown

“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.” – Lao Tzu “Distinguish between real needs and artificial wants and control the latter.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Videos

5 Self Control Techniques by MrMcKillipOhio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT4Aco1Pd4M

Self Control: Teaching Students About Their Greatest Inner Strength with Nathan DeWall: Nov 1, 2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2jYdEO18nU

Wing Clips: Movie Clips that Illustrate and Inspire

https://www.wingclips.com/themes/self-control

Impulse/Self-Control Video Clips on Pinterest

https://www.pinterest.com/klegrenz/impulseself-control-video-clips/

Songs

https://bitsofpositivity.com/free-self-control-songs-kids-character-education-resources/

Lessons

“Self-control: Teaching students about their greatest inner strength.”

Psychology Teacher Network | December 2014

https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/ptn/2014/12/self-control The below image can be used as a discussion starter. Have students trace their hand on paper and write Self-Control on the palm. Write into each finger the actions that lead to greater  self-control for them.

Learn More

Books

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

Website links for more info

Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

CharacterCounts.org

Elementary School Way To Go Lessons

Middle School Way to Go LessonsHigh School Way to Go Lessons

DOWNLOAD POCKET GUIDE

12 Monthly Traits

Campbell Flyer
Character Traits Reference
CITRS Membership
Pocket Guide 2020
Character Traits Posters
Character.org NY Flyer
Cross Training Flyer 2020
Student Self Evaluation Recognition
Character Resource Booklet
Character Club Booklet
Character Counts! Flyer
Student Self Evaluation

Footer

info@charactercouncilwny.org

Amazon Smile

All Rights Reserved © 2025
Custom WordPress Website Design & Developed By Jmax Media Solutions

Brandon Hafner

Co-Vice President

Brandon Hafner is the current House 1 Principal at Orchard Park High School in the Orchard Park CSD. He was born and raised in Buffalo growing up in a home that was always service centered. From his childhood, Brandon has always been involved in Community and Church related service. This has fostered a lifelong value of continued service and a desire to share and recruit others to a commitment to giving back and exercising good character.
Brandon now resides in Hamburg with his wife Erin where they raised their 5 children. Brandon attended Buffalo State College and earned a Degree in Chemistry Education with a minor in Biology, a Masters Degree in Education and certificates in both School Building and District Leadership. He was a Chemistry teacher for 17 years, most of which he spent at Orchard Park High School. During his time as a teacher, Brandon advised many clubs including Student Government and a community service club called Orchard Park Education Outreach. As an administrator, Brandon chairs the District Character Education Committee for the OP Central School District.
Brandon continues to be focused on the character education of all of the students he comes in contact with. He strives to be a part of community service projects within the school and surrounding areas.

Makenna Payton

Executive Administrative Assistant

Makenna serves the council as their executive administrator. She earned a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from Hilbert College and a Masters’s degree from Canisius University in Higher Education and Student Affairs.

Makenna currently serves as the Associate Director for Success and Transitions at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. When not working Makenna enjoys volunteering and every summer is a part of leading a fundraising effort for Camp Good Days and Special Times at a local campground.

Makenna grew up in Pavilion, NY, obtained her education in Buffalo, NY, and currently resides in Rochester, NY.

Spencer Payne

President

Term Expires 2023

Spencer joined the Character Council of WNY Board of Directors in the summer of 2020. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington & Lee University, with minors in Education and Mass Communications. After graduation, he accepted a position in the M&T Bank Management Development Program, which brought him to Buffalo, New York.

Spencer is currently a Business Communications Specialist at M&T Bank, where he serves as Editor-In-Chief of the company’s employee newsletter and advises change management teams seeking to implement bank-wide enhancements. A devotion to character education has been a common thread in his personal and professional life. From volunteering with The First Tee of WNY, introducing junior golfers to the organization’s core values, to student-teaching in elementary schools in Virginia and New York State, Spencer is passionate about equipping the next generation to be the leaders of tomorrow. He’s excited to work with his CCWNY colleagues to make that vision a reality.

Spencer grew up in Davenport, Iowa, and currently resides in Buffalo, New York. The city has become home, and he looks forward to giving back to the WNY community that welcomed him just a short time ago.

Job Valluthamannunkal

Board Member/Webmaster

Vanessa Rehac

Corresponding Secretary

Following my Mom’s example, I have always been an active volunteer. Having served in a variety of leadership roles with the Girl Scouts, as a PTA officer and event chair, I was introduced to the Character Council of Hamburg in 2007. During my tenure, the Council expanded to encompass all of WNY, launched several signature events and forged new community partnerships. I am proud to have worked alongside so many dedicated volunteers and see the impact CCWNY has had on the community. Currently my roles include Co-Secretary, chair of the ECHOES Mini-Grant Program and Co-Chair of the Scholarship Program.

A graduate of Villa Maria College, I earned my A.A.S. in Retail Management and Marketing. And returned as a non-traditional student to Empire State University to pursue my BS in Communications. For the past 20 years I have loved working at the Southtown Teacher’s Center, currently in the role of Office Administrator. I enjoy helping support educators, students and the community. In October 2022 I started a small business, Tempus Fugit Services, providing virtual administrative and design services. I have four incredible children, a precocious granddaughter and live in Blasdell, with my husband of more than 35 years and one very spoiled therapy dog.

I believe the power in a simple act of kindness is the fastest way to impact another person’s life for the better.

Peter Simon

Treasurer

Term Expires: May 2024

Peter Simon serves as the Character Council’s Treasurer and Nominations Committee Chairperson. Peter is a retired teacher from the Lake Shore Central School District, where he taught for 33 years. During his time at Lake Shore, Peter coached JV baseball, served as a member of the Teacher’s Union negotiations team as well as on a variety of committees. Peter is a graduate of Buffalo State College, where he earned a BS and Masters of Education degrees. Peter was born in Minnesota and later moved to Buffalo, and currently resides in Hamburg with Paula, his wife of more than 40 years and they have three adult sons, Matthew, Joseph, and John.

Peter’s interest and concern for the development of good character began long before his actual involvement in the Character Council of WNY. During his many years as a sixth grade teacher, Peter always felt that the teaching and recognition of character virtues was just as important as the teaching of Math, Language Arts or Science, and was among the first educators in his district to integrate character education into his daily lessons. Shortly after retirement, Peter was offered the opportunity to join the board of the Character Council of Hamburg. He welcomed this offer as a natural extension of his concern for the development of good character, only now he would be able to share his passion with his community, helping and encouraging a wider range of the population to recognize and practice the various character virtues.

During his eighteen years on the board of the Character Council, Peter has been encouraged by the growth of the board, and the dedicated work of its members that has helped to increase the focus and awareness of the importance of developing a culture of character in the Western New York community. Peter believes…“It’s up to the people who really care about our country to take a more active role in helping to determine the culture in which our children grow up. With perseverance and cooperation this goal is achievable. TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT.”

Dina Ferraraccio

Co-Vice President

Dina Ferraraccio is the Director of School Culture for the Kenmore Town of Tonawanda Union Free School District. Before serving in this role, she was the Assistant Principal at Kenmore West High School in the district. Dina holds a B.S. from the University of Rochester in Cell and Developmental Biology. She also holds a M.S in Science Education from the University of Rochester and a Master’s in Educational Administration from University at Buffalo. Currently, this is Dina’s 22nd year in the field of education. Before becoming an administrator, she taught Biology, Chemistry, and Forensics for 14 years. Dina’s work in education centers on building character in students. She believes that character development is crucial for students because it goes beyond academic achievements and contributes to their overall growth as individuals. Among many other things, character development increases social skills, ethical decision making, resilience, self-awareness, leadership skills, and creates lifelong learners prepared for the future. Dina is honored to be involved in an organization like the Character Council of Western New York that promotes the benefits of good character and facilitates the continual development of character excellence within the community. Dina looks forward to collaborating with fellow board members on many different projects in the future!