Keys to Excellence

The 8 Keys of Excellence

One of the missions of my internship site this year is to integrate "The 8 Keys of Excellence" into our middle school. Now these 8 Keys are strategies that are explored through the book of the same title by Bobbi DePorter. You can find out more here!

Our school has used Homeroom as a conduit for introducing and following up on these 8 Keys. After a brief overview of all of them, we are dedicating each month to a different key. Besides discussing them in homeroom, teachers are able to nominate students who are exemplifying the key of the month. I am in the beginning phase of creating a way for students to also nominate their peers.

The 8 Keys Created through Tagxedo

But what are these keys? Honestly, I just finished the book and am using the website for reference. But here are the descriptions of the keys:

1. Integrity - Match behavior with values
2. Failure Leads to Success - Learn from mistakes
3. Speak with Good Purpose - Speak honestly and kindly
4. This Is It! - Make the most of every moment
5. Commitment - Make your dreams happen
6. Ownership - Take responsibility for actions
7. Flexibility - Be willing to do things differently
8. Balance - Live your best life

Reading through all of these and seeing how they are exemplified through DePorter's book, I kept coming back to the feeling that we are using these words and keys to help our 6-8 grade students more intentional about their actions and their lives. As a graduate student, my program focuses on the same theme of intentionality and purpose.  

What areas are "locked" in your life?

After the introduction of the 8 Keys, our students were challenged to think of which key they would like to work on for the following week. At that time I decided I needed to work on the Balance Key which has thus resulted in updating my G-Calendar much more regularly and referring back to my scheduling tools. This upcoming week, I want to work on This Is It! and finding the value in every moment of my life. I'll let you know how that is going for me and I challenge you to to focus on one of the keys to help "unlock" an area where you might be struggling! I would love to hear which Key you are working on in the comments below!

Counseling Blog in the Making

"Becoming is better than being" - Carol Dweck 

Hello and Welcome!

The heading quote is from Carol Dweck's book "Mindset" which I just read this past summer. The approach and understanding that Dweck provides such an incredible shift in my understanding of relating to others and appreciating my mindsets!   

The above quote will truly guide what is posted on this blog. This is a place where I will share about my experiences as a developing school counselor. Starting out, I am in my final year of the MA in School Counseling Program at Gonzaga University. Prior to that I earned my BA in Psychology and Liberal Arts for the Human Services from the University of Minnesota Morris. I hope to continue this blog following my graduation and throughout my career as a professional. After all, there is always more to reflect on, and ways to grow. In that way, I hope to always be in the making!