Reflective Teaching and Practice #PD #Educate #TWValor

Welcome back to the Teaching with Valor Podcast. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re diving into a topic that is truly the cornerstone of great teaching—reflective teaching and practice. 

Reflective teaching isn’t just about thinking back on what went right or wrong in a lesson; it’s about a continuous, intentional process of examining our teaching methods, understanding their impact, and making meaningful adjustments. This approach is key to becoming the best teacher you can be, as it involves a commitment to learning and growing from every experience, every lesson, and every day.

Whether you're just starting out in your career or have been in the classroom for years, reflective practice can transform your approach to teaching. It helps you see your classroom through fresh eyes, understand your students better, and refine your strategies to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Today, we’ll explore what reflective teaching is, how you can incorporate it into your daily routine, and how it benefits both you and your students. And for our parent listeners, we’ll wrap up with a special bonus segment answering a common question about how reflective teaching impacts their child’s education.

Show Notes

For more information on this topic check out the following resources below:

Resources and References:

• Brookfield, Stephen D. – "Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher": A comprehensive guide to developing reflective practice.
• Edutopia – Reflective Teaching Strategies: www.edutopia.org - Articles and videos on reflective practices in education.
• The Reflective Educator’s Guide to Classroom Research by Nancy Fichtman Dana and Diane Yendol-Hoppey: A practical resource for teachers interested in engaging in classroom-based research.
• Teaching Channel – Reflective Teaching Tools: www.teachingchannel.org - Tools and strategies to help teachers reflect on their practice.
• Harvard Graduate School of Education – Project Zero: www.pz.harvard.edu - Resources on reflective teaching and professional growth.

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:07

Welcome back to the Teaching with Valor Podcast. I’m your host, Don Fessenden, and today, we’re diving into a topic that is truly the cornerstone of great teaching: reflective teaching and practice. Reflective teaching isn’t just about thinking back on what went right or wrong in a lesson; it’s about a continuous, intentional process of examining our teaching methods, understanding their impact, and making meaningful adjustments. This approach is key to becoming the best teacher you can be, as it involves a commitment to learning and growing from every experience, every lesson, and every day. Whether you're just starting out in your career or have been in the classroom for years, reflective practice can transform your approach to teaching. It helps you see your classroom through fresh eyes, understand your students better, and refine your strategies to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed. Today, we’ll explore what reflective teaching is, how you can incorporate it into your daily routine, and how it benefits both you and your students. And for our parent listeners, we’ll wrap up with a special bonus segment answering a common question about how reflective teaching impacts their child’s education. So, let’s get started. In our first segment we will explore: What is Reflective Teaching and Why Does It Matter? Let’s begin by unpacking what we mean by reflective teaching. At its core, reflective teaching is a process of self-examination and evaluation. It involves looking closely at what happens in your classroom, analyzing your teaching practices, and assessing their impact on student learning. It's about asking yourself critical questions:“What went well today? What didn’t? Why did certain students struggle while others excelled? How did my choices as a teacher impact the lesson's outcome?” But reflective teaching isn’t just a one-time activity; it’s a mindset. It’s about cultivating the habit of regularly examining your practice with an open mind and a willingness to adapt. It requires honesty, humility, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The goal is not to dwell on mistakes or failures but to learn from them, grow, and find new ways to reach every student in your classroom. So, why does this matter so much? Reflective teaching allows you to tailor your instruction to meet the diverse needs of your students. Every class, every group of students is different, and what worked well last year or even last week might not work with your current class. Reflective practice helps you remain flexible and responsive, ensuring that your teaching is dynamic rather than static. Moreover, reflective teaching fosters a deeper connection with your students. When you take the time to reflect on your interactions, you become more aware of how your words, actions, and attitudes impact your students. You begin to notice patterns—like which students light up when given a choice in their learning, or which students shut down in group discussions. This awareness can help you adjust your approach, build stronger relationships, and create a classroom environment where every student feels seen and valued. Reflective practice also combats burnout. Teaching is a demanding profession, and without reflection, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the day-to-day challenges. Reflective teaching helps you stay focused on your purpose and recognize the progress you’re making, even when the going gets tough. It allows you to celebrate the small victories and find meaning in your work, which is essential for sustaining a long, fulfilling career in education. Now that we’ve established the importance of reflective teaching, let’s explore some practical strategies to make it a regular part of your practice. So, how do you make reflective teaching a part of your daily routine? It starts with finding time and space for reflection, which, I know, can feel daunting given the endless demands on a teacher’s time. But reflection doesn’t have to be a lengthy, formal process. It can be as simple as taking a few moments at the end of each day to jot down your thoughts in a journal, or recording a quick voice memo on your phone about what worked and what didn’t. One effective strategy is to use a set of guiding questions. These could include:“What was the objective of today’s lesson, and did I achieve it? How did I adapt my instruction for different learners? What feedback did I receive from my students, either directly or indirectly, and how can I use it to improve?” Having a set of questions can provide structure to your reflection and ensure that you’re focusing on the aspects of your practice that matter most. Another approach is to incorporate reflective practice into your lesson planning process. Before you plan a lesson, take a moment to reflect on the previous one. Consider what went well and what you might do differently. As you plan, think about how you can build on past successes and address any challenges that arose. This ongoing cycle of planning, teaching, reflecting, and adjusting is at the heart of reflective practice. You can also use student feedback as a powerful tool for reflection. Consider giving your students regular opportunities to provide feedback on your lessons. This could be through quick exit tickets where they share something they learned and something they found confusing, or more formal surveys at the end of a unit. Listening to your students’ perspectives helps you see your teaching through their eyes and identify areas for improvement that you might not have noticed on your own. Collaboration with colleagues is another valuable strategy. Join or form a reflective practice group where you can share experiences, discuss challenges, and brainstorm solutions. Observing a colleague’s class and inviting them to observe yours can provide fresh insights into your practice. Often, we’re so close to our own teaching that it’s hard to see things clearly. A trusted colleague can offer a new perspective and constructive feedback that helps you grow. Another method is to keep a teaching journal. Writing regularly about your experiences, thoughts, and feelings can help you process what happens in your classroom. You might write about a particular student’s breakthrough, a lesson that didn’t go as planned, or a moment of frustration or joy. Over time, these reflections will reveal patterns and insights that can guide your growth as an educator. Reflective teaching offers endless possibilities for growth and improvement. But how does this practice benefit students, and what do parents need to know? Let’s address a common question we receive from parents on this topic. A common question we hear from parents is,“How does reflective teaching affect my child’s learning experience?” It’s a great question because it highlights an important connection: the way a teacher reflects on their practice directly impacts the quality of instruction your child receives. Reflective teaching means that your child’s teacher is always looking for ways to improve and adapt their teaching methods to meet the needs of their students. For instance, if a teacher notices that a particular approach isn’t helping some students grasp a concept, they’ll take the time to reflect on why that’s happening and what changes they can make. This could mean adjusting their instructional strategies, using different resources, or providing additional support to ensure every student understands. For your child, this translates into a more personalized learning experience. A reflective teacher is constantly assessing what works best for their students and making adjustments to maximize their learning potential. This could mean offering more challenging materials for students who need it, or creating alternative assignments that cater to different learning styles. Reflective teaching ensures that your child isn’t stuck with a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, they benefit from an educator who is responsive, adaptable, and committed to finding the best ways to help them succeed. Reflective practice also impacts your child’s emotional and social development. A teacher who reflects on their interactions with students is more likely to build strong relationships, create a supportive classroom environment, and respond to students’ needs with empathy and understanding. This means your child is learning in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and motivated to do their best. If you’re a parent, one way to support reflective teaching is to communicate openly with your child’s teacher. Share your observations and concerns, and ask how you can support your child’s learning at home. Understanding that your child’s teacher is engaged in reflective practice can also help you appreciate the dynamic nature of education and the ongoing efforts to provide the best possible experience for your child. Reflective teaching is more than just a buzzword; it’s a powerful approach to professional growth that can transform your teaching practice and your students’ learning experiences. By making reflection a regular part of your routine, you open the door to continuous improvement, deeper connections with your students, and a classroom environment that truly supports every learner. Thank you for joining us on another episode of the Teaching with Valor Podcast. For more resources on reflective teaching and how to implement it in your classroom, check out the links in our episode description. Keep reflecting, keep growing, and as always, keep teaching with valor.