If you’re looking to start the new year off right by taking steps to better yourself both in your profession and out but are sick of making lofty and unattainable goals that only make you feel downtrodden come March, look no further.

Teachthought.com has developed a reflective 30-day challenge for teachers that will help in your journey you become the best version of yourself through reflection.

Note: while TeachThought calls the challenge a blogging challenge, if you’re a blogger you can choose to make your answers to the daily prompts public, or you can keep them in a personal journal for your eyes only.

Examples of the daily prompts include the Day 2 prompt: “Write about one piece of technology that you would like to try this year, and why. You might also write about what you’re hoping to see out of this edtech integration.”

For teachers that want more say in edtech decisions, this prompt may end up leading to a conversation with your administration where you can help to make decisions later on.

Other daily prompts include Day 11’s “What is your favorite part of the school day and why?” and “Day 22’s “What does your PLN look like and what does it do for your teaching?”

The last prompt, Day 30’s “What would you (as a teacher) if you weren’t afraid,” prompts you to reflect on the responses to the last 29 days of prompts and- just maybe- can lead to a breakthrough in your teaching later on.

The challenge, created by TeachThought’s Beth Leadoff and Justine Hughes, is designed to be a reflective tool for growth, the perfect kind of tool to start the new year off right.

"Make it a point to blog [or write] every day for 30 days, even if there are days you can only muster a paragraph. It’s not about the blogging, but the reflection,” TeachThought advises. And don’t forget to share standout reflection moments with your colleagues to stimulate helpful discussion in your PLN.

See the full challenge here.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

1/8/2016