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Lifelong Guidelines of the HET Model

The Lifelong Guidelines became the foundation for character education by establishing a classroom culture through the Highly Effective Teaching (HET) Model. Our theory is that it's not what we do to make students behave, it's what we model day-in and day-out that provides an example of what acceptable behavior looks, sounds, and feels like. The emotional climate must be safe and predictable if high achievement is to be attained. Experience has shown that once a school embraces Lifelong Guidelines and the LIFESKILLS (which further define Personal Best), there are two immediate changes:

  1. The number of discipline referrals falls by at least 50 percent (and in some cases at much as 90 percent)
  2. Average daily attendance increases to above 96 percent (both the students and the teachers want to come to school)

In addition, the number of reference books being checked out of the library increases from 30-50%, and previous behavior issues resulting in lost classroom time is minimized, resulting in higher focus towards learning. The Lifelong Guidelines are guideposts for success in life; not just rules for the classroom. They apply to all aspects of life – personal relationships, the workplace, religious gatherings, community meetings, and all interactions for life in general.

Lifelong Guidelines

  • TRUSTWORTHINESS – To act in a manner that makes one worthy of trust and confidence

  • TRUTHFULNESS – To be honest about things and feelings with oneself and others

  • ACTIVE LISTENING – To listen with the intention of understanding what the speaker intends to communicate

  • NO PUT-DOWNS – To never use words, actions and/or body language that degrade, humiliate, or dishonor others

  • PERSONAL BEST – To do one’s best given the circumstances and available resources

    • Spanish version of the Lifelong Guidelines

All decisions about education should be made in response to the findings of current brain research. The learning environment must be free of threat while promoting mutual respect and fostering a sense of belonging. This relationship connection between teachers and students, student-to-student, and teacher-to teacher, is necessary to effectively set the tone in an optimal learning environment before the mentally, physically, and academically engaging components can be attained. This is the foundation of character education and responsible self-management. The overarching goals of HET education are to increase human capacity and create responsible citizens. The learner's brain function is optimized through the implementation of our bodybrain-compatible education model, making the learning effective, relevant, and memorable while providing the opportunity to make a difference through Highly Effective Teaching.

The HET Model information is copyright protected. © Susan Kovalik/The Center for Effective Learning. All rights reserved.

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