What Went Well (and What Didn't): 10 Simple Questions for End-of-Year Reflection
- Stephanie Genco Gasiecki
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
Let’s be honest—by the time June rolls around, you’re juggling field trips, assessments, field days, graduations, classroom clean-up, and end-of-year emotions (from kids and adults). Reflection might sound like a luxury you don’t have time for.
But reflection doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective! It isn’t about crafting the perfect Pinterest-worthy memory book or writing pages of analysis. It’s about pausing—just long enough—to notice what worked, what didn’t, and what matters most to carry with you into the fall.
You’ve done a lot this year. You’ve changed since the first day. So have your students. This short, intentional pause is a chance to learn from that, not just power through it.
Whether you’re a first-year teacher trying to make sense of the whirlwind, or a veteran educator with well-worn routines, these 10 questions will help you end your year grounded—and maybe even a little lighter.
10 Questions to Reflect on Your School Year
You don’t need to answer every one of these in depth. Pick a few that resonate.
Jot notes. Talk them out with a colleague or mentor.
Use them to shape your plans for next year—or just to acknowledge how far you’ve come!
What routines or strategies helped my classroom run smoothly this year?
What consistently caused stress or frustration—for me or my students?
What’s one way I supported students’ emotional needs or sense of belonging?
Where did I notice student growth that isn’t reflected in test scores?
What am I most proud of as a teacher this year?
What did I learn about myself—personally or professionally—this year?
How did I take care of myself during the school year? What worked? What didn’t?
When did I feel most connected to my students? What helped make that happen?
What’s something I want to do differently next year—and what support will I need?
What’s something I want to keep doing next year, no matter what?
That’s it. Simple, not fluffy. You don’t need to make it beautiful—you just need to make it useful!
To make this even easier, I’ve put the questions into a clean journal-style reflection page. Print it out, take it to a coffee shop (or the staff lounge), and give yourself 15–30 minutes to process your year before you fully shift into summer mode.
You’ve done meaningful work. Taking a moment to honor that isn’t extra—it’s part of the job. ;)
Know a School That’s Rethinking Student Success?
I lead Professional Development workshops and keynote talks that help schools integrate social-emotional learning into academic instruction—so students don’t just learn what content you're teaching them, but how to learn with empathy, focus, and resilience.
If your school (or another you know) is building out next year’s PD calendar, I’d love to connect!
Email Stephanie at learn@bewellwithsteph.com.
Learn more at www.bewelltolearn.com
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