end-of-year reflections

It's finally here - the end of the school year. You have been frantically trying to tie up loose ends, final projects, portfolios, exams, fieldtrips. The spring is always a whirlwind.

Before you lock your classroom door for a final time this year, take a few minutes (or more) to reflect on the year. While finding the time to do this might seem impossible, it is one of the best ways for you to think about all you've accomplished and set yourself up for even more successes in the next year.

I really like the list of questions found here: http://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2011/06/20-teacher-end-of-year-reflection.html

In particular, the following questions from the middle of the list might be really helpful for you to consider in planning for 2015-2016:

• What do you hope your students remember most about you as a teacher?
• In what ways were you helpful to your colleagues this year?
• What was the most valuable thing you learned this year?
• What was the biggest mistake you made this year? How can you avoid making the same mistake in the future?
• What is something you did this year that went better than you thought it would?
• What part of the school day is your favorite? Why?
• What were your biggest organizational challenges this year?
• Who was your most challenging student? Why?
• In what ways did you change the lives of your students this year?

Spending some time reflecting on these questions can be affirming as well as provide a roadmap for things to consider in planning for future teaching. 

What is your favorite way to reflect on the end of the year?