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1.
As a PLTW science teacher working with labs, I set aside time for journaling after each lab session or project to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. This deliberate pause helps me consider how my instructions, safety protocols, and student engagement impacted learning and teamwork. Journaling after labs allows me to track student progress, note any challenges with materials or procedures, and plan adjustments for future lessons. Reflection like this is essential for continuous professional growth and improving teaching practice (Moon, 2013).
This self-reflection is crucial for becoming a more influential leader in the classroom. By reviewing my journal entries, I increase my awareness of how my leadership style affects student motivation, collaboration, and safety in hands-on environments. It also helps me identify opportunities to foster a growth mindset and problem-solving skills, which are central to PLTW’s mission. Journaling supports the development of emotional intelligence and intentional leadership, which are key to creating positive learning environments (Driscoll, 2018).
Specifically, journaling helps me manage lab logistics more thoughtfully, enhance communication with students, and maintain a safe learning atmosphere. This ongoing reflective practice strengthens my professionalism and ability to lead by example, creating a positive and productive lab experience for all learners.
References:
Driscoll, J. (2018). Practicing clinical supervision: A reflective approach for healthcare professionals (5th ed.). Elsevier.
Moon, J. A. (2013). Reflection and employability: Reflection on learning and reflective practices. Routledge.
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Journaling is one of the most powerful tools leaders can use to strengthen reflection and growth. As Nanwani (2021) highlights through sample journal entries, self-reflection allows leaders to capture their thoughts, evaluate experiences, and uncover patterns that shape their leadership journey (pp. 131–142). Setting aside intentional time for journaling helps leaders pause amidst busy schedules and make space for mindfulness and introspection.
Leaders often create this time by building it into existing routines, such as journaling at the beginning of the day to set intentions or reflecting at the end of the day to process successes and challenges. Even brief but consistent writing sessions can be impactful because, as Ungvarsky (n.d.) explains, critical reflection deepens awareness and ensures that leaders do not simply repeat the same mistakes but instead evolve through their lived experiences.
For me, as a special education teacher, journaling is especially valuable when reflecting on interactions with students who have severe disabilities. I use journaling to track not only what occurred in the classroom but also how I responded emotionally and professionally. This practice helps me identify strategies that worked well, areas for improvement, and ways to strengthen collaboration with families and colleagues. Over time, these reflections build into a resource I can return to, reminding me of both progress and lessons learned.
Through consistent journaling, leaders can become more influential because they align their actions more closely with their values, improve decision-making, and foster authenticity in their leadership. Journaling supports growth in specific areas such as communication, relationship-building, and resilience. By practicing reflective writing, leaders not only refine their character but also create a positive ripple effect that benefits the organizations and communities they serve.
References:
Nanwani, S. (2021). Organization and education development: Reflecting and transforming in a self-discovery journey. Routledge.
Ungvarsky, J. (n.d.). Critical Reflection.