---
title: "Reflecting on Experience: A Year-End Guide for Teachers"
description: Reflect on your teaching year with this guide, celebrating successes, analyzing challenges, and embracing growth to improve your future classroom experiences. Download our free reflection worksheet.
---

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# [Reflecting on Experience: A Year-End Guide for Teachers](https://thinkingnation.org/blog/reflecting-on-experience-a-year-end-guide-for-teachers)

 Written by [Dr. Will Pulgarin](https://thinkingnation.org/blog/author/dr-will-pulgarin) | May 20, 2025 3:55:19 PM

There were a lot of things that went wrong during my first year of teaching. Activities that crashed mid-flight, classroom decisions I wish I could take back, and moments that left me wondering what I had gotten myself into. Like most new teachers, I made* a lot* of mistakes. But one of my biggest mistakes during my first year of teaching was that I did not engage in any sort of purposeful teacher reflection at the end-of-the-year. As I developed as an educator, though, reflection became one of the most significant keys to my improvement. Once I started pausing to really think about what worked, what didn’t, and why – I grew faster. My teaching, classroom management, and planning all improved. Looking back, reflection wasn’t just helpful – it was *essential*.

My teacher reflection routine was pretty common. First, I would pick a day to sit down somewhere quiet and to reflect on the school year (Starbucks was always my favorite place to go to). Other times, I would ask a trusted colleague to help me reflect. Both approaches work; the key is to slow down, take a breath, and think deeply.

Here’s the process I use – and it’s one I recommend to any educator:

🏅 Step 1: Celebrate the Wins 

Start off by giving yourself credit for what went well and celebrate it! 

1. What worked well this year?
2. What successes did I have?
3. Who were 2-3 students that I had positive relationships with?
4. How did my teaching improve this year?
5. What was it like to be a student in my class this year?

🤔 Step 2: Reflect on the Journey 

This is where the real growth happens. 

1. What was the hardest day I had this year?
2. What was the best lesson I did this year?
3. What brought me joy this year?
4. What has given me hope?
5. What am I most proud of this year?
6. What did I learn about myself this year?
7. Who helped me the most this year?
8. How have I grown as an educator this year?
9. What did I do this year to connect with families?
10. How did my personal life affect my professional one?
11. Which colleague had a positive impact on me this year?

⛰️ Step 3: Analyze the Challenges 

Finally, I would focus on some of the challenges I encountered during the academic year. I would avoiding dwelling on them, and focus more on the nuggets of learning that each situation contained. 

1. What was the most challenging situation I encountered this year?
2. Which students did I struggle with the most? What can I learn from this?
3. What are some of my goals for the next academic year?
4. How can I harness what I learned and continue to move forward with it?

To end, I would like to evoke the wisdom of the legendary educator and psychologist John Dewey: 

*“We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” *

So as you head toward the finish line of the school year, don’t just close the chapter – reflect on it. I’ve created a free teacher [reflection worksheet](https://www.thinkingnation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Reflection-TN.pdf) that our Thinking Nation partners (and any teacher!) can use to guide this process. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.

**References**

Aguilar, Elena. (2014) Reflecting on a Year of Learning. Education Week. [http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coaching_teachers/2014/05/reflecting_on_a_year_of_learni.html](http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coaching_teachers/2014/05/reflecting_on_a_year_of_learni.html) 

Colorado, Colorín. (2017). *Reflection questions for teachers and students: A school year like no other*.[ https://www.colorincolorado.org/sites/default/files/ColorinColorado_Reflection-Questions_2.pdf](https://www.colorincolorado.org/sites/default/files/ColorinColorado_Reflection-Questions_2.pdf)​<https://www.thinkingnation.org/planning-for-25-26/>

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