The 3R’s of Summer for Teachers: Rest, REFLECT, and Renew

We’re talking summer...specifically, The 3R’s of Summer for Teachers: REST, REFLECT, and RENEW. Earlier this week we talked about the importance of rest for teachers during summer break. Today we move on to REFLECT. Reflection is equally important. According to Rachel Nobel, “You may even find that reflection can go hand-in-hand with relaxation — which, it goes without saying, should be an integral part of your summer routine.” You can read more about how reflecting on this year will help you plan for next on the United Federation for Teacher’s site. 

Synonyms for reflect include, “contemplate”, “consider” and “review”. John Dewey once stated, “We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience.” So, what does “reflecting” on the experience of your previous school year look like? For some teachers it can be simply thinking back on what worked and what didn’t, for others it may be a more formal process, like journaling, or reviewing lesson plans and making notes.

Regardless of how you “reflect”, the process can help you recharge and prepare for the next school year. The State Department of Minnesota encourages teachers to use reflection to improve instruction and make plans for professional growth. See more about this at Teacher Centricity.

Reflection can help you remember why you chose teaching - and help you focus on the positive ways you influenced students throughout the year. Ross Morrison McGill gives “10 Reflection Questions to Ask Every Teacher”. There are two sets of 10 questions each - Pedagogy and Curriculum. Pedagogy questions include things like, “What makes you a good teacher?” and “What would your students say about you?” The Curriculum questions ask things such as, “What resources could you create, adapt, and refine?” and “What displays can you update?” See more of these questions at @TeacherToolkit.

Take time to reflect on your school year and remember, “Why I Teach”.

Here are some other great articles for your consideration:

For Whom the (School) Bell Tolls: What Calls You to Teaching? Use the Summertime to Rethink Teaching and Learning

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