Reflection: not just for the mirror.

     After reading an article about how to stay on top and in control of your sanity while teaching I realized that reflection is not just sitting around day dreaming about what I did wrong and how I wish it could be better.  The author expressed her thoughts and feelings during her initial experience of being a first time teacher.  Reading this article has made me even more motivated than before to take what I am going to do in the classroom and not only be effective for years to come but learn from my mistakes and make lessons meet my students more effectively every year.  I am disappointed to read that she worked on a campus where she felt alone and unsupported.  I do know that I will stay current with professional development and be a part of one or more professional learning communities. 

While I was reading I thought about how powerful it would be for myself as well as my current and future students if I were able to journal, reflect and then put those deliberate reflections into practice. I always planned to be an effective teacher.  I am very motivated to meet my students where they are, socially and academically and get them to be as close to where they need to be as I can.  I now have the vehicle of self-reflection to keep what I am doing current and documented.  A major plan I have now is to make sure I stay organized and keep as detailed as possible daily routines, lesson plans, and most importantly actions and reactions surrounding specific activities.

http://rapidintellect.com/AEQweb/6jul3208z5.htm