Mindful Monday: Looking Back

The end of another school year is around the corner. Endings often spark reflection, and let’s face it, we can be our own worst enemies when to comes to critiquing ourselves. We often look back and paint pictures grayer than they actually occurred, or we fixate on the negative. 

I say, not this year. 

So as you begin to reflect on how the school year was for you and your students, I would challenge you to do it from a different frame of mind, perhaps using a different lens. 

Consider asking your students, and/or your team these questions to get their perspective: 

1. What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?
2. What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?
3. What was the most challenging part of this year for you?
4. What is your favorite part of the day in our class? Why?
5. What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

While I would be the first to encourage you to not dwell on the past, simply for the fact we can't do anything about it, I would say that we do not intuitively learn from our experiences. We only learn from reflecting on our experiences.  

As this year winds down, take a moment to look back and see just how far you and your students have come! It is nothing short of amazing the work you do each and every day!!! And well, some days we are quite literally changing the future for the better and other days we are simply answering the same question 22 times. 😂