By referring to Jay and Johnson’s (2002) reflective model, I will use it to guide and structure my thoughts and ideas as I reflect on my teaching practice.
Reflecting on my own practice, I am able to make connections with Dewey (1933) Reflection 'in' and 'on' practice model, which Finlay (2008) clearly defines it as, ‘defining reflective practice’
So, what's happening in my practice in relation to Dewey's model? he best describes the model stemming from 'doubt and hesitation with directly experienced situations.' I have taught for a long time now and classified as ‘an experienced teacher’ and that over time, teaching has and is changing. When new programs are introduced and implemented and I have doubts and worries about my ability to try something new. Hesitation to try and give something ago and I'm feeling like, really?, do I have too. Within the model, I like the way Dewey (1933) argues that reflective thinking is moving away from routine thinking and action, (the traditional way) and it's more taking into account a critical thinking demonstrating learning from 'doing' and 'practice'. In relation to my practice, I had to change my thinking and learn from ‘doing’ and actually, I better learn this way. This makes more sense for me and I'm more comfortable, and I understand my learning in the process.
So, how have my school leaders, syndicate members, and even staff members reflected on new implementations? I like how Dewey’s ideas provide a basis and are influenced by Schon’s (1983) ‘The reflective practitioner, how professionals think in action’ (pg.3)
I am so blessed with a professional and supportive staff. As Dewey mentions, he refers to ‘reflection in and on action’. As professionals, we reflect ‘while’ and ‘after’ an event. The discussions we have as we share our feelings of successes and failures. We have very good reflective discussions which result in using each other as a soundboard. This is evidence in our syndicate meetings as we share our progress in our Teaching as Inquiry / Spiral of Inquiry.
So, My where to next in my reflection, it is the critiques and feedback from staff members and colleagues. They continue to offer supportive critiques, and I have come to the conclusion, there will always improvements to be made and every day I am making them. I now know and realize, it time to ‘stop doing the same thing and expecting the different results, because, that does not work.’ Having a change of attitude, a growth mindset, and especially challenging myself is new to me. I hate failing and I hate challenges, however, I don’t learn and grow and progress in knowledge and practice. I know in my reflective practice I have to record more and have a deeper thought process.
A statement from (Finlay, 2009 pg. 4) sums it up perfectly of what my next learning steps are to my reflection.
In the case of reflection-on-action, professionals are understood consciously to review, describe, analyze and evaluate their past practice with a view to gaining insight to improve future practice.
Finlay, L. (2009). Reflecting on reflective practice. Practice-based Professional Learning Centre, Open University. Retrieved from http://www.open.ac.uk/opencetl/sites/www.open.ac.uk.opencetl/files/files/ecms/web-content/Finlay-(2008)-Reflecting-on-reflective-practice-PBPL-paper-52.pdf
