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The importance of reflection
23rd September 2022
The events of the last two weeks have caused us all to stop, consider and reflect on a life well-lived. The years of service given by Queen Elizabeth II have spanned decades of change.
There is no doubt that we are living in significant times and facing a period of change on a global scale. This can feel unsettling. As colleagues working in a caring profession we want to make things better, but that doesn’t mean that we can always embrace change with open arms.
What if it’s not as good as what we have now? Significant events make us face change head on. Our agility in response will help us survive even the most challenging days. The trick is not to go it alone, find someone on a similar journey and stand with them whilst chaos ensues all around us!
Over the last three weeks our new cohort of trainee teachers have set off on their own exciting / chaotic journey. Teacher training means facing a significant change for those pursuing a new career path. There is much to learn and we have discussed with them the need to pause and be reflective. Reflective practice in school includes the ability to self-analyse and identify your own strengths and weaknesses. The cohort are already learning the importance of listening to each other and the experiences of those who came before them.
Within the SCITT team we have embraced our own change too. Richard Honeysett has joined us and brought with him a wealth of experience as a teacher and leader within Surrey. It is refreshing to work alongside new colleagues and it encourages us to ask ‘why do we do it like that?’ and ‘can we do this differently?’ Reflection has become part of our daily work as we look to provide the best opportunities for our trainee colleagues.
Change is scary but it is also what makes our profession an outward facing and exciting field in which to work. We can’t change everything at once but we can stop, reflect and decide on a small difference that can be made.
One of my favourite quotes from the late Queen came from her 2016 Christmas speech when she said ‘Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.’
How wonderful our learning community will be if everyone made just one small change today! Who knows, it might even be better than what we have now!
Jo Jones, Director of ITT, Learning Partners
The events of the last two weeks have caused us all to stop, consider and reflect on a life well-lived. The years of service given by Queen Elizabeth II have spanned decades of change.
There is no doubt that we are living in significant times and facing a period of change on a global scale. This can feel unsettling. As colleagues working in a caring profession we want to make things better, but that doesn’t mean that we can always embrace change with open arms.
What if it’s not as good as what we have now? Significant events make us face change head on. Our agility in response will help us survive even the most challenging days. The trick is not to go it alone, find someone on a similar journey and stand with them whilst chaos ensues all around us!
Over the last three weeks our new cohort of trainee teachers have set off on their own exciting / chaotic journey. Teacher training means facing a significant change for those pursuing a new career path. There is much to learn and we have discussed with them the need to pause and be reflective. Reflective practice in school includes the ability to self-analyse and identify your own strengths and weaknesses. The cohort are already learning the importance of listening to each other and the experiences of those who came before them.
Within the SCITT team we have embraced our own change too. Richard Honeysett has joined us and brought with him a wealth of experience as a teacher and leader within Surrey. It is refreshing to work alongside new colleagues and it encourages us to ask ‘why do we do it like that?’ and ‘can we do this differently?’ Reflection has become part of our daily work as we look to provide the best opportunities for our trainee colleagues.
Change is scary but it is also what makes our profession an outward facing and exciting field in which to work. We can’t change everything at once but we can stop, reflect and decide on a small difference that can be made.
One of my favourite quotes from the late Queen came from her 2016 Christmas speech when she said ‘Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.’
How wonderful our learning community will be if everyone made just one small change today! Who knows, it might even be better than what we have now!
Jo Jones, Director of ITT, Learning Partners
