The Character Counts! Advisory Council is comprised of dedicated community and agency people. They work towards the mission of partnering with the people of Queen Anne's County to support and embrace character development in all aspects of our lives.

Advisory Council meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month at 9:00am at the Department of Community Services in Centreville.

All are welcome to attend!

If you are interested in joining the council, let us know.

About Us

Character Counts! is a Queen Anne's County

initiative to increase character education by offering

resources, training, and information about the

Six Pillars of Character: TRUSTWORTHINESS, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, FAIRNESS, CARING, and CITIZENSHIP.

For almost twenty-five years in Queen Anne’s County, character coaches have been visiting local classrooms to share lessons on the Commissioner proclaimed, “Pillar of the Month”.

Character Counts! has consistently shown increases in student attendance, academic achievement, positive behavior choices, and a more positive sense of self and future.

Character Counts! Coordinator

Melinda "Mindy" Ray

Melinda Ray joined the Character Counts! initiative in April 2023 as the Character Counts! Coordinator. She is in charge of all aspects of Character Counts!, including recruiting coaches, representing Character Counts at county events and festivals, and engaging the businesses of the county as Businesses of Character.

Mindy moved to Queen Anne's County in 2007 and currently lives in Centreville with her husband. She has three grown children who all graduated from Queen Annes County High School. After spending several years volunteering in the schools, she spent 7 years working as a 5th grade teacher at Matapeake Elementary School on Kent Island. Working as the Character Counts! Coordinator allows her to continue to make a positive impact on the youth of our county.