Getting+Started

The book, //__The Leader in Me,__// is a great book describing how schools are incorporating the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and using these habits to help our students become better equipped with the skills that will allow them successes in the 21st century. Author Stephen Covey conveys to us that we are no longer part of the “information age”, but part of the globalization of the world and world markets. Are our students being prepared for this? How are they to deal with the challenges they will face?

This book informs us of the fact that teachers – those of us who tell our students about life and how to handle it – can either teach mediocrity or inspire excellence in a student, regardless of the subject being taught. Covey believes that all students (and adults) can achieve //primary greatness.// This has to do with a person’s integrity, work ethic, treatment of others, motives and levels of initiative. It also deals with a person’s character, contributions, talents, creativity, and discipline. This is measured not by comparisons with other people, but by adhering to timeless, universal principals. It is being humble. As teachers we must have a firm foundation of these basic principles and practice them so that we can effectively teach them.

Because of the technological advances we have in today’s world, we know that our students read far more texts than textbooks and that any information on any subject can be found in an instant with the click of a mouse. Factual knowledge is no longer the great differentiator between those who succeed and those who do not. Those who succeed now will be the ones we sometimes refer to as the right- brainers, who are the people that show above-average creativity, analytical skills, a knack for foresight, and people skills. These are the ones who know how to optimize and maneuver facts, how to effectively team with others and how to get along with all people. Our students today are competing for jobs not only against students from the other school in the next town, but against students from all corners of the world.

There are three themes the author wants us to be cognizant of while reading this book: 1. Observe **the universal nature of the leadership principals**. These will be plain old common sense. Watch for the principals, not practices; 2. Observe **the universal nature and unique potential of children**. All children are born with great potential and this book assumes that all children are good and have gifts to be unleashed, while others have to be nurtured; 3. And, observe that **the same principals and approach being taught at these schools can be taught at home.**




 * ﻿Jacqui - I love that you hit on "primary greatness" right off the bat. We live in a world of information overload. As long as we have access to a computer we can have the answer to any question within a matter of seconds. We need to teach our kids that greatness lies not in the knowledge we possess but the character we display. **
 * This book offers insightful tips to use in working with children. **
 * ﻿Michelle - Several of these habits are ones every professional should possess and ones I continue to strive to improve - especially beginning with the end in mind - and being proactive. One split second of the lack of being proactive can create a day/week/month of never making ends meet. **

**Shelia - I need to use these Habits daily! Teaching them to our children will make the world a better place!**
 * Becky G. - I would like to have The 7 Habits Tree poster for my classroom! **