The Peak Performing Teacher: Five Habits for Success

by Michael S. Kuczala

Overview

Develop and implement an action plan for self-care

Cultivating focus, re-energizing oneself, and improving daily habits are essential for educators’ well-being and the good that they pass along to students. However, finding the time to implement new habits can be hard. Because small changes are easier to plan for and realize, Kuczala concentrates on the habits that are most likely to yield significant improvements. This book guides educators in meaningful self-reflection by providing:

•  Five critical practices to increase productivity and decrease anxiety
• Reflection prompts and vignettes to guide readers in developing self-care strategies
• Practical checklists and templates to help educators maintain goals

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071853252
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/03/2022
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Mike Kuczala has delivered keynotes, given presentations, facilitated professional development and taught graduate courses on 4 continents. His presentations, courses, books and videos have reached more than 100,000 teachers, trainers, corporate executives and parents. He is also the coauthor of the Corwin Bestseller and Association of Educational Publishers’ Distinguished Achievement Award nominated, The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning through Movement, a book and philosophy that has changed the view of teaching and learning around the world. Mike’s 2nd book, Training in Motion: How to Use Movement to Create an Engaging and Effective Learning Environment, was released in 2015 (AMACOM) and Ready, Set, Go! The Kinesthetic Classroom 2.0 (Corwin) was released in the summer of 2017. His 4^th book, The Peak Performing Teacher: 5 Habits for Success (Corwin) will be released on February 22. President of Kuczala Consulting and Academic Director for the Regional Training Center, Mike's SRO presentations have been experienced in such diverse settings as The Educational Collaborative for International Schools, The East Asia Regional Council of Schools, The Francis Marion University Center of Excellence to Prepare Teachers of Children of Poverty Summer Institute, The American Society for Training and Development, The Forum for Innovative Leadership, The Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the Society for Health and Physical Educators.

In his role with Regional Training Center, Mike leads a cadre of about 100 graduate instructors who regularly provide graduate coursework to thousands of teachers across Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and beyond in partnership with The College of New Jersey and La Salle University. During his tenure, he has overseen the development of RTC’s online and virtual course offerings as well the design and implementation of new coursework, certificate programs and master degree concentration options. Mike also manages college and university partnerships.

For more information, please visit www.mikekuczala.com or www.thepeakperformingteacher.com

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
The Most Important Piece of Equipment
The ABCs of Achievement
The Power of “Must”
Pain/Pleasure in Practice
Habit #1: Live the Physical Life
A Paradigm Shift
Embracing the Physical Life Does Much More Than Raise Your Level of Fitness
Exercise Is Life’s First Answer to This Essential Question: How Do I Create a Life Worth Living?
Simply . . . Walk
Where Are Your Sneakers?
Vary the Environment
The Benefits Don’t Stop at School (a Word About the Physical Classroom)
Habit #2: Change Your Mind
Challenge Your Thinking
Same Story, New Moral
Fifty States of Mind Where Stress Cannot Exist
Just Breathe
The Powerhouse
A Quick Revisit to the Brain/Body Connection
One Man’s Insight
Stress in the Classroom
Habit #3: Sharpen Your Mental Focus: Creating Mission and Purpose
Part 1: The Personal Mission Statement
Creating Your Personal Mission Statement
Personal Mission Statement Rough Draft
Completed Mission Statement
Part 2: Setting Goals
Understanding the Difference Between a Good Idea and Writing a Goal
Creating the Future Now
Creating a Transformational Goal
The Rocking Chair Test
Goal Setting in the Classroom
Habit #4: Power Up Gratitude
Who Doesn’t Want These Benefits for So Very Little Effort?
In the Business of Gratitude
Making It Real
Who Deserves Your Letter?
Gratefulness in the Classroom
One More Gratitude Quote for the Teacher Lounge
Habit #5: Make the Morning Count
The Morning Routines of Real Teachers
My Morning Routine
Putting It All Together
Understand the Power of the Moment
Create a Plan
Change Your Limiting Beliefs
Enjoy the Process
Start Now
Surround Yourself With Success and Positivity
A Final Word
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"What an incredible, practical road map to spark and guide teachers on how and why it is important to take care of ourselves and develop healthy habits. This book created a real shift in how I view myself and the world. The Peak Performing Teacher unites a lot of discreet ideas and connections that make a lot of sense. I am getting a copy for my principal and looking forward to putting my energy into change instead of fighting just to maintain. "

Jenny Boulianne