The Three Habits of Highly Effective Teachers

The Three Habits of Highly Effective Teachers

Rodney H. ClarkenSchool of Education

Northern Michigan University

Presented at the 18th Annual National Youth-At-Risk Conference, Savannah, GA

March 4-7, 2007

Rodney H Clarken 2007 2

What is a habit?

hab·it (n) 1. something done all the time; an action or behavior pattern that is regular, repetitive, and often unconscious.


What is effective? ef·fec·tive (adj) causing a result,

especially the desired or intended result


What is a teacher? teach·er (n) 1. somebody who

teaches.

teech (v) 1. impart knowledge or skill.

(all from Encarta Dictionary)


In other words, this program will describe three things which if regularly done by somebody who imparts knowledge and skills will be more likely to cause the desired result: developing our students’ potential.


How can we know what is effective?

5 ways of knowing/determining truth 1. Senses and experience2. Reason, logic and empiricism3. Tradition and tested wisdom4. Inspiration, intuition5. God tells usOthers?


All these ways are fallible.1. Senses (illusions, mirages) and experience

(biased)2. Reason, logic and empiricism (scientist and

scholars disagree, new findings replace old)3. Tradition and tested wisdom (varies)4. Inspiration, intuition (differs)5. God (may be infallible, but our

understandings and interpretations are not)


The best we can do is to

use as many of the ways of knowing truth as possible. The more ways we can verify truth, the more we can rely on it.

openly and independently investigate truth, freed from bias, superstition and limitation.


In this presentation,

I have tried to combine ideas from 1) experience, 2) scholarship, 3) traditional wisdom, 4) intuition, and 5) sacred scriptures to identify and synthesize the principles that I feel are the most fundamental in being an effective teacher.


1. My senses and experienceAs all experience is biased, it is only fair you

know some of mine:Grew up poor on an Iowa tenant farmAttended six different colleges in five states and

have five degrees in liberal arts, education, psychology and administration

Traveled to 60 countries and lived in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe and several US states

30 plus years in education at elementary, secondary and post secondary levels in rural, urban, reservation and international areas


2. ScholarshipEffective teaching has an extensive literature

in education, psychology and management.For example, an emerging field of

psychology, Positive Psychology, draws on science, philosophy and religion to identify positive emotions, six core virtues, twenty-four signature strengths and ways of using the signature strengths in relation to work, love, and parenting. (www.authentichappiness.org)


Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Dependence Habit 1 Be Proactive: Principles of

Personal Vision Habit 2 Begin with the End in Mind:

Principles of Personal Leadership Habit 3 Put First Things First:

Principles of Personal ManagementIndependence


Habit 4 Think Win/Win: Principles of Interpersonal Leadership

Habit 5 Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood: Principles of Empathic Communication

Habit 6 Synergize: Principles of Creative Cooperation and Communication

Interdependence Habit 7 Sharpen the Saw: Principles of

Balanced Self-RenewalThe 8th Habit (2004) is to "Find your voice

and inspire others to find theirs".


3. Traditional wisdom “…virtue and happiness were intimately

related for Socrates and Plato with wisdom a necessary and sufficient condition for behaving well and being happy." (Parducci 10)

Aristotle: the full realization of human potential results from two kinds of habits:

1. mental activity, such as knowledge, which lead to the highest human activity, contemplation;

2. practical action (moral virtues conforming to the golden mean) and emotion, such as courage. (Nicomachean Ethics)


Anishinaabe Seven Grandfathers

1. Bravery2. Honesty3. Truth4. Respect5. Wisdom6. Love7. Humility


4. Inspiration/IntuitionCombining what I have learned from other

sources and meditating on what was the best way to serve teachers so that they might better be able to serve their students, I developed the model that I will share with you in this presentation. It has come over many years in bit and pieces, in part through inspiration and intuition, the result of much deliberate effort.


5. Sacred scriptures As part of my orientation as a

Baha'i, I believe in the sacred nature of all the revealed religions. Therefore, I have read extensively from the holy books of the world’s religions to find and understand the truths that are contained therein. I have looked for similarities and commonalities in teachings.


The Golden Rule: From Baha’i, Buddhist Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish & Zoroastrian Scriptures

Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.

Do not to others what ye do not wish done to yourself; and wish for others too what ye desire and long for yourself.

Love thy neighbor as thyself.

What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man.

Only that nature is good when it shall not do unto another whatever is not good for its own self

No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

Choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself.


What then are the three habits of highly effective teachers?


2. Love (Being Caring)

3. Justice (Being Fair)

1. Truth (Being Honest)


They combine the highest virtues of each of the three essential aspects of a human being: mind, heart and body

1. Truth-mind2. Love-heart3. Justice-body


Habits of the mind: Truthtrōōth n. 1. Conformity to fact or actuality. 2. A statement proven to be or accepted

as true. 3. Sincerity; integrity. 4. Fidelity to an original or standard.

1. Reality; actuality. 2. often Truth That which is considered to be the

supreme reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence.

American Heritage Dictionary


Truth: Scholarship and Scripture The scientific method is a powerful tool

for ascertaining truth and advancing civilization.

"Veracity (adherence to the truth) is the heart of morality" (Thomas H. Huxley).

“Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues” (Abdul-Baha).

"I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6). (Comparable statements can be found in other scriptures)


Truth and knowing

What we know and believe to be true can be weighed against our experience, traditions and intuition. In addition, scientific and religious truths should be considered: religion to check materialistic scientism and science to check religious superstitions, dogmas and fanaticism.


Developing the habit of truth Judge using the five ways of knowing truth. Be truthful to ourselves, which enables us

to “know thyself” and “to thine ownself be true.”

Practice understanding and communicating reality as it really is, rather than as how we imagine or fancy it to be.

Investigate truth with an open mind and consult with others.

Insist on truth in your community and institutions.


Habits of the heart: Love

luv (v)1. an intense feeling of deep

affection (Oxford)

Acting intentionally, in sympathetic response to others (including God), to promote overall well-being. (Thomas Jay Oord).


Love: Scholarship and Scripture "Love conquers all" (Virgil).

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)


Love and emotion Emotions are expressions of our loving

capacity, and affect motivation. We feel Happy when loved things are near, well-treated, pleased. Sad when loved things removed, hurt, grieved. Angry when loved things mistreated, threatened, wronged. Fearful when loved things insecure, at-risk. Disgusted when loved things violated, offended, made

repulsive. Understanding these forces of love can help

us to regulate and direct their influence in ways that are beneficial to ourselves and others.


Developing the habit of love. We should first love ourselves, which

give us the love needed to love others. Considered the most fundamental

element in all of the world’s religions. Love gives us energy, directs our

actions and leads to unity. On the highest level, love is the

attraction to good, beauty and truth.


Habits of body: Justice

jus·tice (n)1. fairness or reasonableness,

especially in the way people are treated or decisions are made (Encarta)

2. the quality of being just; righteousness, equitableness, or moral rightness (Dictionary.com)


Justice: Scholarship and Scripture

"Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought” (John Rawls).

It is always better to be just than unjust (summary of Plato's Republic)

“Be fair to yourselves and to others” (Baha’u’llah).


Developing the habit of justice Be just to yourself. Combine love and truth with justice. Practice in small ways using justice in

your classroom. Demand justice in all your affairs. Justice requires bravery and courage. Day by day, little by little, one step at

a time.


Consult with your neighbor On how you can use or develop the

habits of truth, love and justice in your lives and your classrooms?

Take one student or one case that you are concerned about and share. Apply the habits to the case. How would it look. Would it work?


In dealing with your situation ask yourself the following 3 questions

1. Is it or am I being truthful?2. Is it or am I being loving?3. Is it or am I being just or fair?


Part 2 If we have time and you are still

interested.


How can we learn more about truth, love and justice? Read the world’s great philosophical and

spiritual traditions for more insights and principles.

Study the sciences to better understand their social, psychological, physiological and neurological connections and effects.

Apply these habits in your life and use the complementary ways of knowing as checks and balances.

Consult with others in an open manner using the Seven Grandfathers.


Education is a process of the development of our

capacities for truth, love and justice.

Developing these capacities is a lifelong endeavor: the more we have of them the more we want them, as they bring increased happiness and fulfillment.


The 3 habits from different angles

Truth Love JusticeThink Feel ActHead Heart HandMind Heart BodyLogic/Epistemology Ethics/Aesthetics MetaphysicsTruth Beauty GoodCognitive Affective ConativeReason Compassion Courage


Truth, love and justice together When all three habits work positively in

harmony, the individual and society grow, develop and advance.

When a positive habit is matched with a negative habit, trouble results.

For example, those who love (+) untruth/dishonesty (-), hate (-) truth/honesty (+), or do not know (-) how to love (+), or do not love to know, a problem of growth is created.


TLJ: the formula version T x L x J = V: Truth (T) times Love (L)

times Justice (J) equals Value (V) +T x +L x +J = +V -T x +L x +J = -V -T x –L x +J =+V

A zero in any capacity = zero value 3T x 2L x 0(J) = 0

Mathematical properties Increased quantity in any

variable=increased value


TLJ are contextual and developmental Partly depends on environment, culture,

interrelationships and level of development.

Are influenced by our paradigms, emotional states, beliefs, interests, goals and established habits of mind, heart and body.

The more we exert and practice TLJ, the more we will develop them.


Learning TLJ is key to promoting human

happiness and well-being. is part of developing our higher

nature, which must overcome our lower natures.

will enable us to develop our individual potential.

takes effort.


Setting Goals for TLJ The more we are attracted to, understand

and are able and willing to work for TLJ, the more likely we are to achieve them.

Educators can assist learners develop TLJ through developing high resolve, sense of purpose, self-esteem, sense of personal capability and an internal locus of control.

TLJ give meaning to life. They direct energy towards healthy values.


Help students develop their own TLJ in more complex,

expanded and unique situations. use consultation, reasoning,

independent investigation of truth, meditation, parables, stories, metaphors, prayer and reflection to help develop TLJ.

unite body (hand), mind (head) and heart to work together.


TLJ involve the knowing, wanting and

creating conditions within the self and in interaction with the environment.

The educators' modeling and use of TLJ affect the classroom environment and learning.

Change in each capacity changes the context and effects the learning and becoming process.


Motivation Extrinsic motivators, though needed

and useful, are limited, and can actually hinder motivation, especially if one is intrinsically motivated.

Encourage autonomy and authenticity in TLJ.

Self-actualization occurs when all three capacities are fully and actively engaged.


Social influences It is primarily in social groups that TLJ

are exercised and developed. Positive relationships are:

Loving: courteous, caring, compassionate, creative,

Truthful: consultative, open-minded Just: complementary, chaste, constructive,

collaborative and cooperative. Positive social environments are:

safe, secure, service-oriented, fair, united, peaceful, joyous, respectful and refined.


Individual differences. Each person has unique strategies,

endowments, powers, responsibilities, talents, interests and capabilities based on innate, inherited and acquired characteristics for which they are ultimately responsible to develop.

Help students know, love and actualize their their unique capacities using TLJ.

We have all been created noble. Do not abase anyone, let others abase anyone or let them abase themselves.


Educators are responsible to diagnose

and prescribe what is needed for each student unique endowments, experiences and heredity to encourage optimal development as best they can.

Each person is a mine filled with precious gems and minerals. Education can help each each person find his/her unique value and contribution to the world.

Unity in diversity is vital in all aspects of education.


Standards and assessment. Justice and equity are key in standards

and assessment. The evaluation of all things depends upon them.

Students show the results of their learning through their lives, deeds and actions.

Encourage all to achieve excellence in all things, to become the most they can.

The most important qualities, such as TLJ, are the hardest to validly and reliably assess.


Conclusion: Education is a right and a necessity Education is the foundation of human

excellence, prosperity, joy and glory. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone.

Knowledge is as wings to life and a ladder for our ascent.

The root of wrongdoing is ignorance. To be effective, education must address

our knowing, loving and creating capacities.

onnecessity and a right


Extra slides for further explanation


Many levels of TLJ

Each level includes and builds upon the lower, but each higher level transcends quantifiably in its capacity for TLJ.

Physical/Material/Concrete Mental/Abstract/Conceptual Spiritual/Moral/Ethereal


•Truth

•Justice

Morals

•Love

•Arts

mind

heart feeling

body doing

•Science

thinking


The habits of TLJ as processes of mind, heart and body

•Love

Heart

•Justice

Body

•Truth

Mind


Faculties of mind, heart and body to develop habits of TLJ

Mind: To Know, Think about,Understand TRUTH

Heart: To Feel Love for Unity and BEAUTY

Body: To Will and Do Justice forGOOD


Some correlates of TLJ

Truth Love JusticeConsultation/ Investigation

Compassion/ Caring

Creation/ Construction

Think Feel Do

Authenticity Altruism Autonomy

Truth Beauty Good


Understanding

Unity Justice

Head Heart Hand

Cognitive Affective Conative

Mind Heart Body

Reason Compassion Courage


Logic/ Epistemology

Aesthetics/ Axiology

Ethics/ Ontology

Objective (It) Subjective (I) Intersubjective (We)

Science Arts Morals

Agency-preservation

Eros-transcendence

Communion-adaptation

Differentiate Integrate Transcend

Pure Reason Aesthetic Judgment

Practical Reason


•Heart

•Mind

•Habits of Body•Know truth

•Feel love •Do justice

•self•True Self


Paradigms and paradigm shifts Paradigms are the mental maps that

we use to describe the world around us. They are the lens that each of us uses to understand everything and every thing. The key of a paradigm isn't as much in the true nature of a thing as much as our perception of the thing. (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Seven_Habits_Study_Guide/Paradigms_and_principles)


Individual capacity differs. Everybody’s capacity for truth is different.

What we know and how we know is different.

Everybody’s capacity for love is different. What we love and how we love is different.

Everybody’s capacity for justice is different. What we do and how we act is different.

What, when, why, how and how much we use these three habits in relationship to one another also differs.


Teachers need knowledge, skills and

dispositions related to a host of areas, such as content knowledge, pedagogy, assessment and professionalism, but for these teachers to be highly effective they must teach with the habits of truth, love and justice.


Individual and Collective Expressions of TLJ

Documents

The Three Habits of Highly Effective Teachers