The Philosophy

HISTORY and PHILOSOPHY OF THE KEYS TO SUCCESS

One of the loves of my life has been teaching physical education to elementary school children for over thirty-five years. Periodically throughout those years, former students would return to our school for a visit. Many of these students had gone on to be very successful in their careers and their lives in general. In speaking with them, they conveyed to me different aspects of my teaching philosophy that had a lasting effect on them in their own personal development.

Approximately fifteen years ago, after many such conversations, I decided to formalize my basic teaching philosophy into what I called the “Keys to Success”. “Keys” is a program that consists of eight life skills (Love, Attitude, Effort, Motivation, Preparation, Cooperation, Discipline and Performance), when used together and taught in a certain way, can have a powerful effect on students now and in their future.

In an effort to display these principles, eight large Keys, each representing one of these life skills, were mounted on the gymnasium wall. After explaining the positive aspect of each life skill in my classroom, I incorporated how they could use that life skill in physical education and in anything they did in life. In an effort to reinforce each skill development, small paper Keys labeled with the appropriate key name, were given out when a skill was displayed by a student in the classroom. (In the same way, in an effort to improve classroom GROUP work, we now have larger Keys given for this purpose).

Many other useful ideas and lessons developed from this basic concept. I found that using this positive method gave my teaching more depth and purpose than ever before. The Keys not only helped my students excel in physical education, but in every aspect of their lives.

Even though this concept was initially introduced in elementary physical education, it has now been reformatted for use as a school-wide program. The Keys program is currently being used in a number of schools with tremendous feedback and testimonials. We have found that this program is very teacher-friendly, in that it is easily implemented with minimal work and maximum potential. It is positive-based and one of the few programs that incorporates both character development with student academic performance. A School “Mission Statement” has been designed and is displayed in the entryway of each school along with the large Keys to express the Philosophy of the entire school. I believe that this program will not only help your students be the best students they can be, but it will also help them be happy and successful in all aspects of their lives!

Frank Gallagher

What Students Are Saying

"I like that kids actually get noticed for doing good and not just bad." - Fifth grade student

"I like them because they motivate me to do my best. I also like how there is always a key of the week. Every week I try to do my best at the key of the week." - Fourth grade student

"I’m more ready for school." – Fifth grade student

"It makes me remember about all the things that I need to do." – Fourth grade student

"My favorite key is attitude, because with a positive attitude, it becomes easier to love, cooperate, prepare and all the things other keys represent." - Sixth grade student

"Preparation is my favorite Key because it helps me make sure I have my homework." – Fourth grade student

"They [The Keys] challenge you to be good." – Eighth grade student

[The Keys program] gives you an incentive to be your best. – Sixth grade student

"When I receive a key I feel like I have accomplished something that will benefit me later in life." – Seventh grade student

"When I’m not getting along with my sister, cooperation reminds me to work it out." – Sixth grade student

What Teachers Are Saying

"Any child that values keys – and most do – will figure out which actions will merit a key in my classroom."

“I enjoy looking for opportunities to notice the positive. It is so easy to hand out a key spontaneously than to fill out forms!”

“I enjoy the class keys because it acknowledges their behavior as a group. They have improved their behavior during the class and in the hallway because they know I am watching.”

“I have used it as a positive reinforcement tool for students that maybe aren’t always as kind and considerate as they should be. It does redirect negative behavior.”

“I think the students are more aware of their actions. They Keys program encourages and motivates students to try their hardest.”

“It helps build self-esteem and anyone can earn them. Your grades are not the determining factor. Students beam when they count their keys each month and realize that each key stands for something special they have done to earn those keys.”

"It is good to have something tangible to reward good behavior with...It is a more 'concrete' method of reinforcing what is expected than only verbal rewards or remarks on a report card."

“It often works to get work/projects done early and often helps students volunteer for jobs/other activities.”

“It’s an immediate reward for the children’s behavior. I like the variety of keys – all with different meanings. It’s a fun way to reward. [It] teaches them also to save their keys for a bigger prize.”

"Students are more motivated when completing class work and…the students are more caring towards one another."

"When I hand out keys for clean cubbies, suddenly, the others start looking neater. If I seem to be having an extra quiet class, a few keys passed out seems to stir the pot and participation. They also seem to improve memory.”

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The Philosophy

What Students Are Saying

What Teachers Are Saying

"Students are more motivated when completing class work and…the students are more caring towards one another."