AVReading

  Beyond just the value of writing ourselves into understanding, written reflection can also serve as important information for our future selves.    Remember, we tend to recall the things we like and bury the things we don’t.  So a written record of our lives in the classroom keeps us more honest about our shortcomings and mistakes. I recall a reflection I had written at the end of one year that stated, “Your failure rates were much higher this year.  I think that you could have been more proactive and consistent with your calls home.  Those have historically been an effective tool in addressing students who are not handing in work.”  In this case, I am much less likely to make that mistake again.  Additionally, had I not returned to that reminder six months later, I’m not sure I would have caught it.    Sometimes it is painful to re-read those past reflections.  Honestly, re-living some of those memories c...