As a classroom teacher, I remember how easy it was to get caught up in the whirlwind of lesson plans, grading, classroom management, and everything else that comes with the job. Amid all the busy work, one thing I struggled with was carving out time for reflection. It’s hard to pause and think about what’s working and what’s not when you’re always on the go.
That’s exactly why I’ve developed the Weekly Soundboard —and as I continue to work with teachers this way, I can’t help but think how much it would have benefited me when I was in the classroom.
What is Soundboarding?
Soundboarding is a simple way to make reflection a regular part of your teaching routine. It’s designed to be quick, manageable, and most importantly, effective.
Here’s how it works: You create a private Instagram account, and each day, at the end of your school day, you record a short five-minute reflection on what went well and what didn’t.
Start with What Didn’t Go As Planned (Keep this part short!): Let’s face it—things don’t always go according to plan. This part is where you get real about what didn’t work as expected, whether it’s a lesson that fell flat or an issue with classroom management. This is where the growth happens.
End with What Went Well: This part is imperative as it is your chance to recognize and celebrate the small victories. Maybe a lesson clicked, a student had a breakthrough, or you felt a class dynamic really worked when it usually doesn't. Recognizing these moments helps you stay focused on the fact that teaching and learning is all about progress - not perfection.
Reflecting on both the wins and the challenges at the end of each day might sound simple, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. When I was teaching, I would have loved the space to pause and think through my day—what I did well and where I could improve.
How It Would Have Helped Me as a Teacher
Looking back, I can see how much I could have benefitted from this practice. As a new teacher, I was always running around putting out fires and trying to keep up with everything. I rarely took time to reflect—there was just too much to do. But if I’d had the opportunity to reflect every day, even for just five minutes, it would have made such a difference.
Taking those few minutes each day would have helped me notice patterns in my teaching. I would have realized which strategies worked, which didn’t, and what I needed to adjust. For example, if I’d noticed a lesson wasn’t engaging my students the way I wanted, I could have made a note of it and thought about how to tweak it the next day—without waiting for the issue to snowball.
More importantly, I would have had a clearer sense of my progress. We often don’t give ourselves enough credit for the small wins. If I’d been reflecting every day, I’d have seen just how much I was improving, even on the tough days.
The Power of Weekly Check-ins
Here’s the beauty of the Weekly Soundboard: At the end of each week, you meet with your instructional coach to go over your daily reflections. The coach has access to your private Instagram account and will review your posts before the meeting. Then, you’ll have a focused, supportive conversation about:
What’s Working: Your coach will help you identify what’s working well and how you can build on those strengths.
Areas to Improve: We’ll dive into the areas where things didn’t go as planned and brainstorm practical strategies to improve. This is where the magic happens—together, we’ll come up with ideas for how to tackle challenges in your classroom.
Trying Something New: If you’re looking to try out a new approach or strategy, we’ll talk about how to implement it and set you up for success.
Having a coach who’s there to support you and help you reflect on your progress is such a game-changer. If I’d had someone to walk through these reflections with me, I would have felt more confident in my teaching and more focused on my growth.
Why 5-Minutes-a-Day Matters
Five-minutes-a-day may sound like a small commitment, but trust me, it adds up. When you take less than 10 minutes to reflect each day, you start to notice patterns in your teaching that you might have missed otherwise. That daily practice of reflection builds over time, and before you know it, you’ve made big strides.
The best part? It doesn’t feel like another thing on your to-do list. It’s a manageable, sustainable way to stay focused on growth without getting overwhelmed. And when you meet with your coach, you’ve got real, actionable insights to talk about—no more vague “I’m not sure where I’m at” feelings.
Ready to Give It a Try?
If you’re a teacher or school leader looking to make more intentional strides in your practice, I can’t recommend the Weekly Soundboard service enough. It’s a simple, easy way to build reflection into your daily routine and get the support you need to grow.
If you’re ready to try it out, I’d love to help you get started. Let’s work together to make those small, daily reflections turn into big teaching breakthroughs. Reach out today, and let’s get started with a free 30-minute consultation!