While working with elementary students, Seth Schapiro began to use quotations from inspiring role models to teach his inner city students important lessons about character. In 1994, he began to develop WiseSkills as an interdisciplinary character education program that teaches positive values using the words and lives of world figures. The program has since spread across the country, from inner-city communities, to rural areas and Native American
reservations. In 2001, in response to many requests from high school educators, WiseSkills released Wisdom for Life, its innovative high school program. WiseSkills materials are now used in over 4000 schools and districts nationwide.