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1.      

As a PLTW science teacher  working with labs, I set aside time for journaling after each lab  session or project to reflect on what went well and what could be  improved. This deliberate pause helps me consider how my instructions,  safety protocols, and student engagement impacted learning and teamwork.  Journaling after labs allows me to track student progress, note any  challenges with materials or procedures, and plan adjustments for future  lessons. Reflection like this is essential for continuous professional  growth and improving teaching practice (Moon, 2013).

This self-reflection is crucial for becoming a more influential  leader in the classroom. By reviewing my journal entries, I increase my  awareness of how my leadership style affects student motivation,  collaboration, and safety in hands-on environments. It also helps me  identify opportunities to foster a growth mindset and problem-solving  skills, which are central to PLTW’s mission. Journaling supports the  development of emotional intelligence and intentional leadership, which  are key to creating positive learning environments (Driscoll, 2018).

Specifically, journaling helps me manage lab logistics more  thoughtfully, enhance communication with students, and maintain a safe  learning atmosphere. This ongoing reflective practice strengthens my  professionalism and ability to lead by example, creating a positive and  productive lab experience for all learners.

References:
  Driscoll, J. (2018). Practicing clinical supervision: A reflective approach for healthcare professionals (5th ed.). Elsevier.
  Moon, J. A. (2013). Reflection and employability: Reflection on learning and reflective practices. Routledge.

2,      

Journaling  is one of the most powerful tools leaders can use to strengthen  reflection and growth. As Nanwani (2021) highlights through sample  journal entries, self-reflection allows leaders to capture their  thoughts, evaluate experiences, and uncover patterns that shape their  leadership journey (pp. 131–142). Setting aside intentional time for  journaling helps leaders pause amidst busy schedules and make space for  mindfulness and introspection.

Leaders often create this time by  building it into existing routines, such as journaling at the beginning  of the day to set intentions or reflecting at the end of the day to  process successes and challenges. Even brief but consistent writing  sessions can be impactful because, as Ungvarsky (n.d.) explains,  critical reflection deepens awareness and ensures that leaders do not  simply repeat the same mistakes but instead evolve through their lived  experiences.

For me, as a special education  teacher, journaling is especially valuable when reflecting on  interactions with students who have severe disabilities. I use  journaling to track not only what occurred in the classroom but also how  I responded emotionally and professionally. This practice helps me  identify strategies that worked well, areas for improvement, and ways to  strengthen collaboration with families and colleagues. Over time, these  reflections build into a resource I can return to, reminding me of both  progress and lessons learned.

Through consistent journaling,  leaders can become more influential because they align their actions  more closely with their values, improve decision-making, and foster  authenticity in their leadership. Journaling supports growth in specific  areas such as communication, relationship-building, and resilience. By  practicing reflective writing, leaders not only refine their character  but also create a positive ripple effect that benefits the organizations  and communities they serve.

References:
Nanwani, S. (2021). Organization and education development: Reflecting and transforming in a self-discovery journey. Routledge.
Ungvarsky, J. (n.d.). Critical Reflection.