Guest post by Henry Thiele, Superintendent, District 99 (IL): Summer is the perfect time for reflection, and "Currere" can be an ideal method to structure reflection on a project or a school year. You can use this method by asking four simple questions: (1) What was my experience last year? (2) What do I want to do next year? (3) How am I feeling about my current abilities and skills? (4) What is my path forward to a successful year next year? The trick to taking action on what you learn from reflection is to verbalize what you are going to do next year. Speak your plans out loud and listen to what you are saying. As told in the recent "Rationally Speaking" podcast, you don’t have to explain your plans to anyone but yourself, but you do have to say them outloud--even if you just speak to a rubber duck. The roadmap to having a great next school year is already inside of you. Now is the time to discover the path through some structured reflection and a little rubber ducking.
