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: Self-
awareness, 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.