Establishing effective academic instruction, effective classroom management, and building relationships can all be accomplished with the application of observable and measurable practices. How an individual applies these practices will vary, yet common components of effective teaching are omnipresent. Across academic instruction, behavior management, and relationship building, consistency, communication, and structure are key. Teachers should strive to establish and engage in a continuum of effective teaching practices to build strong universal classwide systems across the three key areas. Once effective evidence-based practices are targeted for inclusion within a classroom the work does not end. Teachers must determine how they will utilize data-based decision making to develop or access systems to support practices adopted. Effective teachers engage in reflective and proactive professional development to create a strong foundation of positive classroom practices. (Contains 3 figures.)