Teacher Talk: Self Reflection

February 14, 2012
recently came across some inspirational quotes that I wanted to share with you. Back when I was working towards my Master's degree, one of my professors talked highly about self- reflection and its importance. I remember having to keep a journal {which I'm scrambling to find 7 years later} and reflect on my day, but more importantly on myself. I reflected on my words, my actions, my behaviors and my strengths and weaknesses.   


I wish I had more time in the day to continue the journal, but the reality is, I just don't. So instead I try to take a moment or two, while sitting in traffic, laying in bed, taking a bath, etc. to reflect on my day. I often wonder after a rough day, "How could I have handled myself differently?", "What could I have done differently for that one kid who makes me want to pull my hair out one by one?" and more. It's also important to reflect on the positive things that occur and celebrate them {I'm guilty of not doing this often}. I need to learn to embrace the "positive" and not call an extreme amount of attention to the negative. For those who have a pinterest account, there are TONS of amazing/ inspirational quotes on there too. 

Tom Glover who wrote an article on Reflective Leadership said, "self reflection helps us to gain an understanding of who we are as individuals first, above and beyond who we are as leaders. Because, to be truly effective at leading others, we need to be effective at ‘leading’ ourselves". 

Here are some of the quotes I came across: 
"Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from" - Elizabeth Ross 

"I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn" - Albert Einstein

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever"- Mahatma Ghandi

"Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I'll understand" - Chinese Proverbs


What are your thoughts on self- reflection? I'd love to know. 

8 comments

  1. Every August, I start school with the intentions to reflect on the school day every day. I even made a space at the bottom of my lesson plans for reflections. I figured that would help me as I plan for the next year.

    All too quickly, reality sets in and there seems to be no time for me to sit quietly for a few minutes to think about my day.

    I do think self-reflection is important, and you have inspired me to really try and take a few minutes each day and jot down what went well, what didn't, and how I can be a better teacher to my students.
    -Megan

    First Grade Magic

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  2. Great post...self-reflections are great. Sometimes I even do this with the kiddos after a lesson. What did you like? What didn't you like? If you would do it again, what would you do differently? Sometimes, I do this too when there is a "problem" at recess.
    Robynn
    BusyBees

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  3. Thank you for the quotes! They are definitely needed on busy days to remind us of important lessons. :) Hope you had a wonderful Wednesday!

    Second Grade Sugar and Spice

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  4. I just purchased a mini journal and so far I've been able to reflect before bedtime. Here's to crossing my fingers that I can keep it up :)

    ~ edana

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  5. I really like the quote by Tom Glover, I think I'm going to make that into a poster to put up in my classroom as a reminder. Reflection is so important, and it can be easy to forget that.

    Angela
    The Daily Alphabet

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  6. I agree that self-reflection is such an important aspect of teaching, and it is important for us to teach our students how to self-reflect as well! Also, I love the quotes that you included! I am a huge lover of inspirational quotes! Hal Urban wrote a wonderful book called Lessons from the Classroom and he has a whole chapter called "Good teachers use the power of quotations" and talks about using quotes in the classroom. I love the quote he included in that chapter by Mechel De Montaigne: "I quote others only in order the better to express myself." So true!! :)

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  7. I reflect on the ride home or on the way to work. If I leave school and it is a gotta listen to the radio day then I am sure to reflect in the morning. Either way I do this every day. It is now a habit and it helps.

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  8. Molly- thanks for sharing, I definitely need to check out that book.

    Mrs. Coe- I reflect a lot on the way home, while stuck in traffic..lol! But you are right, it really does help.

    ~ edana

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