Reflective Teaching

Reflection is a tool that is emphasized for preservice teachers as they learn how to teach, and much of the research on reflection is in the context of preservice and early-service teachers. However, as a veteran teacher in the classroom for almost twenty years, I feel like the discipline of reflection is one of the things that make me an effective teacher. Reflecting on gaps in my classroom and pedagogy has led me to great questions and problems of practice, and reflecting on lessons and student needs has allowed me to be intentional about choosing action steps to improve my teaching. This article will define reflection in the context of the reflection teachers do; will provide tools for exploring reflective practices; and will give music-specific examples of what to reflect on and when.