7 Habits of Highly Effective Teachers Adapted from

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teachers Adapted from Stephen R. Covey’s work

Habit 1: Be Proactive • Act in the classroom, not re-act • Every teacher needs a pause button • Teachers are free to choose: Selfawareness, conscience, imagination, independent will • Be a positive influence on your student’s emotional bank accounts

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind • • Teachers need a destination and a compass A Teacher’s Mission Statement Are teacher’s principle centered? The end should always be “what is best for the children under your care. ” • Planning ahead always makes things better.

Habit 3: Put First Things First • Establish priorities in the classroom and at home • Home culture 50 yrs. Age vs. Today -Where does that leave teachers? ? • Balance academics with social skills, character education, health and self esteem • Be an ADVOCATE for children

Habit 4: Think Win-Win!!!! • Adopt the attitude: “Let me listen to you first” or “Help me to understand” with students and parents. • Positive discipline - How can you and the student win? ? ? No power struggles. • Moving children from “me” to “we” • Class Meetings where agreements rule.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand. . Then to be Understood • Recognize your prejudices in the classroom and work to overcome them. • All children want to belong - avoid miscommunications. • Practice Empathic Listening - the highest form of listening. • Give honest feedback to children and parents.

Habit 6: Synergize • Work together with teachers, parents, children, administrators. • Value and celebrate differences. • Involve people in the problem and work out the solution together (great playground strategy) • Never give up - small victories lead to larger ones.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw • Renew yourself: physically, socially, mentally, and spiritually. • Nurture your relationship with children. • Begin your day with children with some quiet time to reflect. • Always grow - be a better teacher tomorrow than you were today.