Comments on: Do you give yourself permission to reflect?

By: Kara

Kara — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:16:13 +0000

When I student taught many years ago, I had an excellent mentor who encouraged me to reflect my thoughts after a lesson to him. He did this rather then giving me his personal feedback. At first it was ackward. As time passed, I realized what a wonderful tool reflection can be. As a teacher now, I understand the feeling of time limiting my reflection and often just reflect in the car on my drive home, or in the morning on my drive in. Although this is helpful, it is not recorded and I can not receive feedback. The idea of blogging reflection is something that I feel could be very helpful and could be built into my evening at least once a week to start. Maybe before I sit down to write out my lesson plans.

By: Caryn

Caryn — Sat, 08 May 2010 07:48:05 +0000

I enjoyed your thought-provoking post; it encouraged me to reflect on a recent teaching assignment and on the policies and practices I observed. It was a good exercise for me, but I doubt I will find answers for the many questions that came to mind while reflecting.

By: If Only Time Really Was an Issue | The Thinking Stick

If Only Time Really Was an Issue | The Thinking Stick — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:31:09 +0000

[...] choose whether you reflect or [...]

By: Creating your Personal Brand | International School Information Aggregator

Creating your Personal Brand | International School Information Aggregator — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 07:42:42 +0000

[...] was spot on in the fact that educators do not take enough time to pat themselves on the back, reflect, and think about themselves as a brand. Especially international teachers like myself who go [...]

By: Jimmy V.

Jimmy V. — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:16:57 +0000

Wow, this was kind of an eye-opener for me. Both the article and the replies get me thinking. My Father passed away unexpectedly in November 09. Know one is ever quite ready to deal with the loss of a parent. I have planning time and lunch back-to-back so I have taken to getting in my truck and driving 15 minutes home just to get the mail. Really it has become time for me to reflect and deal with the loss. As someone said to me you are left with a hole and it never goes away you just learn to move around it the rest of your life. Learning new things like blogging may help me to reflect in a different way. Thanks Jeff.

By: Jeff Utecht

Jeff Utecht — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:08:05 +0000

It’s fun reading your reflections on reflection as you think through how you can use this for yourself. Finding balance and making reflection a priority is nothing new. Some call it meditation, others call it quiet time. What ever it is, I agree that it’s about allowing yourself to soak in what you have and are learning about. We know that reflection is a powerful learning tool, by making it a focus in our own lives I think it will help us to beter teach students about the power of reflection in their own learning.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

By: Wanda

Wanda — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:31:28 +0000

I am having fun writing and thinking at the same time. Normally, this would be a pain, since I do so many e-mails. This is different because I feel that this is actually helping me and the focus is on me. I rarely get an opportunity to think about myself and what I am doing. I will do more of this it seems to help me to unwind. Again, when I think about the lost time one spends day dreaming versus reflection. There is no comparison. I am thinking right now about how I could have done things differently today, and getting ready for
tomorrow. I feel more prepared since I have given things some thought.

By: Wanda

Wanda — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:23:42 +0000

I believe that reflection can be both powerful and helpful. Day dreaming is thinking without action. I day dream often, but not long. Having to reflect takes time and can be mentally challenging. It requires serious thought about thinking back on things that have already transpired or things I that I learned.
For me to take time during work to reflect would definately call for a committment. Day dreaming is easy, you just go blank and stare out into space.
Sometimes I get so inundated that I forget to eat, take a break or just stop to breathe. I realize that this is more than awful! I am the one who is making this choice, whether it be conscious or unconscious. I wish there were two of me, one to send to all the meetings, do continuous discipline or hear others concerns and complaints. While the other me goes into the classrooms, gets involved in planning activiities, and takes the time to enjoy the students and staff.
Currently, just talking about this is making me feel good and I know that I can do a little of both and reflect on everything I do, if I only took the time. This is making me want to take the time, not only for reflection, but for lunch and breaks (smile). When I start doing this and putting myself first, I know that reflection time will become a part of the routine as well. It is important that I understand what I learn.
Hey, this was actually stimulating and fun. I just found out how interesting I can be and how much fun learning can become. I will do this again and actually think about all the wonderful things that I do as well as the things that I can do better, I exactually feel good. Day dreaming won’t do this for me, but reflection can. Cool!

By: Jeff Utecht

Jeff Utecht — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:57:57 +0000

I think there is a difference between day dreaming and reflecting. Usually reflecting is a process of not just thinking (day dreaming) but actively engaged in the process of thinking, such as writing a blog post, or even leaving this comment back to you. I’m not just thinking about it, but having to really think through how to answer and process what I’m learning. That’s my own opinion of course.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:50:15 +0000

Wow, There is finally an explanation for what my teachers always told me was daydreaming or not listening. Although I am now 35 working on a second masters, I still find myself staring out the window reflecting on present issues. My own children will appreciate when I tell them they are not daydreaming but reflecting.