What have I achieved this year?

Article written by Kicki

Reflecting on This Year’s Wins

As December begins, I find myself reflecting on the journey we’ve taken this year. Teaching can be so future-focused that it’s easy to forget to pause and ask ourselves, What have I achieved this year? Taking time to recognize our own progress is a powerful reminder that we, too, are constantly growing and learning.

The Little Things That Made a Big Difference:

Earlier this year, I set out to improve the classroom environment, a space where every student could feel safe, seen, and valued. Now, as I look back, I can see how far we’ve come. Students who used to hold back are speaking up. Small group discussions have become more lively and collaborative. And perhaps most rewarding, I see them supporting each other in ways I hadn’t expected.

It wasn’t one big, transformative change that made the difference. It was the little things, repeated over time: giving students the space to think, bringing cake to celebrate, offering kind words of encouragement, and building routines that gave them a sense of ownership.

Walking out of the classroom the other day, I caught myself smiling, thinking of all these small victories. They’ve reminded me how powerful steady, intentional efforts can be and how much they can add up to something meaningful.

Learning from Mistakes, Self-Recognition

When we take time to acknowledge our own growth, we build self-compassion and resilience. A coaching approach encourages us to look at our progress holistically, recognizing both the accomplishments and the lessons learned from mistakes along the way. This reflection isn’t just for us, when students see us value growth over perfection, it helps them do the same. We are here to cheer for our students effort, not their result.

Reflection Exercise: Accomplishment Reflection

Set aside a few minutes this week to list three achievements you’re proud of this year. Big or small, they all count! Next to each achievement, jot down one skill or strength you demonstrated to make it happen. Take a moment to celebrate your progress, it’s a well-deserved moment of recognition!

A teacher named Fatima shared her reflection from an elementary school:

One accomplishment I’m proud of this year is to bring kindness into my classroom. I focused on modelling and encouraging supportive behaviour, like celebrating each other’s successes and practising empathy during group work. A strength I leaned on was consistency, making sure these values were part of our daily routine. Watching students step up to help and encourage one another has been such a rewarding outcome.

My invitation for you:

What are you most proud of achieving this year? I’d love to hear about the steps you’ve taken and the progress you’re celebrating, reply and share your wins!

Warm regards, Kicki

The journey is built on small, steady steps. Each effort we make, no matter how small, contributes to something bigger. Let’s take a moment to celebrate how far we’ve come and trust that growth continues, one step at a time.