The Peak Performing Teacher

Five Habits for Success
Mike Kuczala - Regional Training Center
The Peak Performing Teacher
January 2022 | 128 pages | Corwin
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eBook
ISBN: 9781071853276
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781071853252
Available from January 0001

Description

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. Mike Kuczala asserts that educators’ greatest tool is a mirror—in it, teachers will find their greatest advocate for personal growth, power, wellness, and vision: themselves.

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
Grounded in new research connecting personal change to professional improvement, Kuczala’s approach to well-being builds a bridge between mind and body to create a comprehensive path for success.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

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

References

Index

Index

Description

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. Mike Kuczala asserts that educators’ greatest tool is a mirror—in it, teachers will find their greatest advocate for personal growth, power, wellness, and vision: themselves.

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
Grounded in new research connecting personal change to professional improvement, Kuczala’s approach to well-being builds a bridge between mind and body to create a comprehensive path for success.

Contents

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

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

References

Index

Index

SAGE Publishing Logo

The Peak Performing Teacher

Five Habits for Success


January 2022 | 128 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781071853252 $37.95
Lifetime 01/02/2026 9781071853276 $35.00

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. Mike Kuczala asserts that educators’ greatest tool is a mirror—in it, teachers will find their greatest advocate for personal growth, power, wellness, and vision: themselves.

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
Grounded in new research connecting personal change to professional improvement, Kuczala’s approach to well-being builds a bridge between mind and body to create a comprehensive path for success.

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

Recent Product 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, Physical Educator, Finstead State Montessori Academy, Wilmington, DE

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