In considering the various “R’s in Education”, how important is the process of “reflection”?

The power inherent within your personal reflection of your educational practices should never be undervalued. But, does “reflection” fall into my 5 R’s of Effective Engagement? A component of this reflection strategy are the proverbial “Look In The Mirror” Moments.

For me, when I awake in the morning as I am preparing myself for work, I look in the mirror and ask myself, “Will you give your best today?” Without hesitation, my reflection always responds back with the affirmative, “Yes!”

The key, though, in my process of reflection is when I come home from a long day at work. Before I lay to bed, I look in that mirror again and ask myself, “Did you really give your best today?” Resoundingly, I regularly get the reply from my reflection that says, “Yes, I did my best today!”

Now, in order to fairly assess my own definition of “my best” I typically run through my entire day, every interaction, with students, staff, parents or school partners (stakeholders) and reflect upon whether I served the need of that particular person or group in a way that they felt I gave them my best.

Really, it actually never fails that I think about something that I could have done better for one of my stakeholders. Why? Because I generally put myself in the shoes of those I am serving and think critically about whether I helped them in the way that they sought.

This often means that I need to follow-up with them in order to close a gap of communication or service and certainly to seek feedback in asking them questions like, “Are you good? Is there anything else you need from Mr. Brown?”

This process is important because it allows me to re-adjust my service or rally the resources necessary to serve the needs of that specific stakeholder. Each stakeholder in the community, one way or another, will let you know if you have served their needs or interests. Sometimes directly, but most often indirectly because “they” stop coming to you to help them get their needs met.

Now, it’s obvious that my approach to engaging with my work is under girded by my personal philosophy of believing that I am a “servant leader” in my capacity as an Educator. This can sometimes be tough for others, when or if they reflect on their work, because too often their exists a common misunderstanding between the educator and the stakeholder.

The stakeholder believes you, as an educator, are there to serve their needs, whether it is to help a teacher with issues that can improve their classroom environment, advocating for a student that may be struggling, or certainly to help parents navigate the educational landscape to be the best support they can be to our students. Each of these stakeholder groups (students, staff, parents) have varying needs and often unique opportunities presented to us to help them.

The perceptions of these stakeholders, that are created around your direct service, often help to dictate the realities that you (we) work under. And, just as it is said that, “Voters vote with their feet”, it can also be said, that stakeholders can affirm your work and give you feedback by their continued (or discontinued) requests for your service or work.

My personal process of reflecting on my work, and being open to continued feedback from those I am serving, continues to help me get better and do better (or my best) every single day.

Written by Rodney Brown, Assistant Principal at Innovation Central High School, Grand Rapids Public Schools

 

Don’t miss the West Michigan Education Leadership Conference (WMELC) On December 11th. At this conference you can learn more about Mr. Brown’s strategies for engagement and student accountability in his presentation on “The Five R’s of Effective Engagement and Student Accountability.”

This years theme at the conference is “Leaders in Action.” At each session, you will learn from local Michigan leaders, like Mr. Brown and others, that are finding success in their districts. Our keynote speakers are also from Michigan. Don’t miss Anthony Muhammad and Ben Gilpin too!

Click here to sign up for the WMELC conference today!

Learn more about the conference and the presentations at wmelc.org