If when reading the title, the first word that came to mind was “Relax,” you are lukewarm. Collocation wise, you are correct. However, as a teacher, I am referring to “Reflect” — as in Time to Reflect. Don’t get me wrong; teachers need time to relax, and I have been doing some of that during my summer break from teaching, but as teachers, we also need time to recharge for when classes restart. That is where reflection comes in.
Setting time for reflection that is introspective and goes beyond making notes at the end of each lesson requires time away from teaching. However, this type of self-reflection is difficult to accomplish while teaching, which is why summer might be the best time for it. But how do we start the process?
Perret’s REFLECT Framework
In search of a system, I came across Katy Perret’s REFLECT framework. The framework which Perret (2023) pairs with Stanier’s (2016) “AWE (And What Else) question technique” is directed toward teacher trainers and coaches, but I found that it could be easily adapted for teachers. First, Perret recommends finding “a cozy spot [to sit] with a notebook or a digital device” to help us get in the reflective mood. Then, Perret provides the framework keywords to contextualize the process.
Following Perret’s advice and while looking for my cozy corner, my instinct was to sit at my desk in my makeshift home office/classroom, but I soon realized that the space needed quite a bit of reorganization before it could feel cozy! Thankfully, the task of cleaning was cathartic. Dusting the bookshelves, putting away books, and reading over the sticky notes left on my computer screen helped me to begin to reflect about my work in the last year. I began to feel recharged. I even painted the room!
Sitting in my “now” cozy corner, I reread Perret’s framework and adapted it as a rubric to help me to get started. The table below outlines how you can use my adaptation of Perret’s REFLECT framework to start your own reflection:
Table. Self-Reflection Rubric
|
Deep Thinking |
This Past Year |
AWE (And What Else) |
|
R |
Write down your thoughts about at the job relationships, both with peers and students. |
Consider your strengths and gaps and how to improve if needed. |
|
E |
Identify your effectiveness as a teacher. |
Look back at students’ evaluations and find patterns that might signal the need for growth. |
|
F |
Think of your main professional goal and whether your focus was on target. |
Identify ways to meet your professional goal or celebrate your accomplishments! |
|
L |
List the learning or PD that you have completed in the last year. |
Identify an area in need of further development. |
|
E |
From an equity lens, think about how your work impacted those around you. |
Think of ways to continue honouring your practice from an equity lens. |
|
C |
Describe how school culture shapes your professional practice. |
Identify aspects of culture that are changing or evolving. |
|
T |
Set a manageable and realistic target as you look ahead at the new school year. |
Set a timeline to reach your target. (Revisit your “F” for focus) |
Source: Adapted by Cecilia Aponte-de-Hanna from Perret’s (2023).
Last Words
My suggestion is to start small. Reflecting should not be laborious. After all, it is summer time!
What are you doing this summer?
References
Perret, K. (2023, June). Use Summertime Reflection to Recharge Your Practice. The Learning Professional, 44(3), 13-13,16. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/use-summertime-reflection-recharge-your-practice/docview/2831216012/se-2
Stanier, M.B. (2016). The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever. Box of Crayons Press.
Cecilia Aponte-de-Hanna
Hi, my name is Cecilia. I love taking part in good brain awakening discussions. Blogging, I find, lends itself for that. I also believe in sharing my skills through scholarly practice, which is why I write regularly and have presented at several conferences, including TESL Ontario, TESL Toronto, CALL, and at Seneca College. My M.A. in applied linguistics along with my skills and experience have led me to my current position at Centennial College, where I teach English and ESL in the School of English and Liberal Studies. I'm truly passionate about what I do: teaching, writing, creative expression, and helping my students (both L1 and L2) gain agency and take control of their own learning. Thank you for your readership and I look forward to reading and answering your comments. You can find me on Twitter @capontedehanna
I’m burnt out from the year and having just finished our summer session. No more pencils, no more books for awhile! Teachers need to step away from the job and recharge, whether that’s during a weekend day, at night after work, or during a break. Teachers need to be healthy and whole to be of any good to their students. Also, having outside interests that takes their minds out of the classroom is vital for all teachers.
I will, however, reflect nearer the start date in September. Your article is a great aid in that. Thank you!
Hi Derek,
I agree that teachers need ‘outside interests’. Sometimes it requires staying off grid!
Have a great day!