End of Year Reflections on Teaching

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #15 – June 13, 2009

It’s the end of the year. Do you want next year to be better? Reflection is your best ally. This the perfect time to reflect on what you've done if you want to improve. For any teacher (and probably many other professions), reflection is the most important part of one’s growth. I have divided this into two areas: First, I listed questions to reflect upon. Then, I listed resolutions made as a result of reflections throughout the school year.

Questions
1.Were the instructional objectives met?
A. Which ones were not met and why?
B. Did students learn what was intended? How do I know?

2. Were the students productively engaged? How do I know?

3. Did I alter my instructional plan as I taught the lesson? Why?

4. What specific things do I need to change to get better results next year?

5. What accomplishments can I be proud of this year? Celebrate and strengthen these!

Resolutions
1. Jettison anyone or anything that does not promote a good, safe and nurturing classroom environment.

2. Hold yourself and your students accountable for what they say and what they do. Implement rewards and consequences fairly and consistently.

3. Make spending time with your kids individually in the classroom a priority. They grow and flourish from the interactions, support, encouragement and caring you give them.

4. Be a superb role model. Due to the widespread growth of dysfunctional families, as far as role models for the kids go, you may be the only one. Keep this in mind in every aspect of your behavior, your words and your being. It’s okay to be a surrogate parent to some of these kids. In many instances, the pulling at your heartstrings won’t give you a choice.

5. Light the way for your shining stars. As a teacher, realize you are in the spotlight much of the time. Find the balance between being yourself and being the teacher. The more authentic enthusiasm you display, the more your star power will reel in the kids to join in the fun of discovery and creativity.

I hope you will use these suggestions as a springboard for your personal reflections as you end off the school year. Next week, my posting will include more ideas on enriching your magic teaching toolbox.