Institute For Habits of Mind

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Institute For Habits of Mind The Habits of Mind are dispositions that empower creative & critical thinking. A Habit of Mind is knowing how to behave intelligently.

We have a growing team of affiliates, each representing the power of the habits in classrooms, schools, & communities. A Habit of Mind is knowing what to do when we are unsure or unclear of the next step or when we DON'T know the answer. A Habit of Mind means having a disposition toward behaving intelligently when confronted with problems, the answers to which are not immediately known: contradictions, dilemmas, inquiries and uncertainties.

21st century learning is not about gathering information but about knowing how to act on it, knowing what questions to ask of it and being able to thinking critically about content and origin. The Habits of Mind give us the behaviours that shape effective inquiry and encourage independent learning. The Habits of Mind:

Persisting
Managing Impulsivity
Listening With Understanding and Empathy
Thinking Flexibly
Thinking About Thinking (Metacognition)
Striving For Accuracy and Precision
Questioning and Posing Problems
Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
Gathering Data through All Senses
Creating, Imagining, and Innovating
Responding with Wonderment and Awe
Taking Responsible Risks. Finding Humor
Thinking Interdependently
Remaining Open to Continuous Learning

The Habits of Mind give learners of all ages and at all stages, a framework for autonomous, lifelong learning. They show us how to behave intelligently, independently and reflectively.

09/08/2026

Our next IPP cohort begins September 14, and there’s still time to join us!

If you’ve been thinking about going deeper with the Habits of Mind, sometimes the best way to understand what IPP can offer is to hear from someone who’s experienced it firsthand. Debra Barry shares what IPP meant to her — from deepening her understanding of the Habits to bringing that learning back into her own practice.

Ready to experience IPP for yourself? This is your last chance to join us → register at our link in bio.

Educational leaders are navigating increasingly complex questions — often without a clear answer.That’s why we created o...
08/19/2026

Educational leaders are navigating increasingly complex questions — often without a clear answer.

That’s why we created our new Leadership Learning Series: to give leaders space to step outside the day-to-day, examine their thinking, learn from other perspectives, and continue growing their practice.

Because leadership is learning, too.

Explore the new series at the link in our bio.

We are very excited to share that this fall, we’re launching a new leadership learning series designed for instructional...
08/07/2026

We are very excited to share that this fall, we’re launching a new leadership learning series designed for instructional coaches, department chairs, school leaders, administrators, or anyone committed to leading thoughtful learning.

📘 Join the Leadership Book Study
🌱 Enroll in The Mindful Leader Leadership Badge
⭐ Or experience both together with the Complete Leadership Bundle and save $100

Whichever path you choose, you’ll learn alongside a community of educators committed to thoughtful, learning-centered leadership.

Registration is now open! Visit the link in our bio to learn more and choose your path.

07/01/2026

What if movement wasn’t just about maintaining strength, but about maintaining awareness?

Institute Co-Founder and Co-Director Bena Kallick doesn’t train simply to stay active; She trains to maintain the awareness, adaptability, and independence to keep doing the things that matter most.

The Habits of Mind remind us that thoughtful action begins with awareness. Sometimes, that awareness starts not only in our thinking, but in how we move through the world.

In their latest Psychology Today article, Bena and TAP Strength Founder EJ Zebro explore how body awareness helps us become more intentional, responsive, and connected to the way we think, move, and live.

Read more: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/resonant-minds/202606/body-awareness-listening-for-the-resonance

06/22/2026

Over the past week, we’ve been deeply moved by the stories, memories, photos, and reflections shared by educators, leaders, and learners around the world.

In this video, Art reminds us of something he believed deeply: that the Habits of Mind belong to all of us. As we honor Art’s life and legacy, we invite you to continue sharing your memories, photographs, and stories. Together, we can celebrate not only his contributions to education but the countless lives he touched and the community he helped build.

Visit our tribute page: https://lnkd.in/e-e7ZPVq

Honoring the life of Dr. Art Costa, the Co-Founder of the 16 Habits of MindTerry Thoren writes: “When I was at the Habit...
06/16/2026

Honoring the life of Dr. Art Costa, the Co-Founder of the 16 Habits of Mind

Terry Thoren writes: “When I was at the Habits of Mind Conference in Vista, California with organizers Bena and Allison Zmuda, I had the good fortune to find a quiet moment with Art. I had the feeling it might be my last in person moment with him. So I used the opportunity to pull out my cell phone and record his answer to my question “What is the meaning of life?” This is what he told me:
​
“What is the meaning of life?”
“I think that the reason why we’re here on Earth is to experience a lot of emotions.
One of them is joy,
One of them is humor,
One of them is awe,
One of them is friendship,
and so all of those and a lot more are what compose a life.
But it’s not just a life.
It’s a good life.
​
How do you know the difference between a life and a good life?
​
Because the more you’ve experienced the earth and all its beauty…
the more you experience friends and all of their contributions…
the more you’ve experienced love and all that it means to you…
and the more you’ve made a contribution to make this place a better place, that’s what life is all about.”

https://www.wonder.media/tribute-to-art-costa

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved friend, colleague, mentor, and co-founder, Dr. Art ...
06/16/2026

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved friend, colleague, mentor, and co-founder, Dr. Art Costa.

In the coming days, we will share opportunities for our community to honor and celebrate Art’s life and legacy together. For now, we invite you to reflect on the impact Art had on your thinking, your teaching, your leadership, or your life. If you would like to share a memory, story, photograph, or reflection, we would be honored to hear from you.

As Art often reminded us, a life well lived is measured not only by what we accomplish, but by the contributions we make and the lives we touch. By that measure, Art’s legacy will endure for generations.

With gratitude and remembrance,
Bena Kallick and Allison Zmuda

Executive functioning has become one of the most talked-about topics in education today — but what does it actually look...
05/26/2026

Executive functioning has become one of the most talked-about topics in education today — but what does it actually look like to cultivate these behaviors meaningfully in classrooms and learning communities?

Whether you’re a classroom educator, instructional leader, or simply interested in creating more thoughtful learning environments, we hope you’ll join us for a FREE conversation exploring the connection between Habits of Mind and executive functioning this Thursday!

Register at our link in bio.

*Please Note: This webinar was previously scheduled for this evening and has been rescheduled to Thursday, May 28.

FREE WEBINAR: One Week from Today 🛜 Join Dr. Daniel Vollrath, author of The Purpose-Driven Classroom: 7 Productive Behav...
05/19/2026

FREE WEBINAR: One Week from Today 🛜 Join Dr. Daniel Vollrath, author of The Purpose-Driven Classroom: 7 Productive Behaviors for Student Success, for a FREE conversation exploring the connection between Habits of Mind and executive functioning.

Register today at our link in bio.

Registration is now open for the next Individual Practitioner Program cohort beginning June 8!Designed for educators acr...
05/12/2026

Registration is now open for the next Individual Practitioner Program cohort beginning June 8!

Designed for educators across roles and settings, IPP offers the opportunity to deepen your understanding of the Habits of Mind through reflection, dialogue, and meaningful application over time.

Join a thoughtful learning community committed to intentional practice and continued growth. Learn more + register: https://lnkd.in/gZvp_mgV

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