11 Self-Reflection as Practice
Self-reflection is one of the most powerful tools we have as teachers. Reflection on our teaching practice can help us identify what strategies are working and which areas need improvement and adapt our approaches to better meet the varied needs of our students. Additionally, self and teaching reflection helps us stay connected to our core educational values and goals.
Teaching Reflection Questions
- Discuss something interesting that you discovered regarding the texts or exercises you presented this semester
- Discuss something you discovered about your overall relationship with students this semester
- Discuss things you disliked in the classroom and how you handled them (topics, tools, students, moments, yourself, etc.)
- Discuss what fed you or fed on you most about teaching this semester
- Discuss in what personal & teaching capacities can you trust
- Discuss the most interesting thing you discovered about structuring a course or lesson this semester
- Discuss the ways that you kept your heart open to teaching
- Discuss the ways you established or negotiated boundaries in your teaching
- Discuss your main strength as a teacher and examine its source
- Discuss your main weaknesses as a teacher and examine its source
- Discuss your best day, lesson, moment, or experience in the class this semester
Privilege and Bias
It is important to spend time and focus in our teaching practice to also reflect on our awareness of privilege and bias towards engaging our own self-awareness. Don’t let the Canadian context stop you! The “Personal Privilege and Bias” chapter linked below guides readers through a series of thoughtful activities. The chapter below it, “Transforming Teaching & Learning,” offers additional reflective activities toward equity and engagement.
Additional Resources
Inclusive Teaching Checklist by the University of Denver
Syllabus Review Guide for Equity Minded Practices by the Center for Urban Education
What Our Best College Instructors Do by Every Learner Everywhere
