The last bell rings, the instruments are (mostly) put away, and your classroom is finally quiet. You made it. 🎉 Whether this year was magical, messy, or somewhere in between—you did something amazing: you showed up for your students through music.
Before diving headfirst into full-on summer mode, take a few moments to reflect. Not in a pressure-filled, let’s-rewrite-the-curriculum kind of way—but in a way that honors all the effort you put in and helps you move into next year with more clarity and confidence.
Here’s a gentle guide for reflecting and dreaming forward. 💭🎵
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📝 1. Wins & Highlights: What Went Well?
Start by celebrating what worked. What are the moments that still make you smile?
• A concert that came together beautifully
• A student who finally found their voice
• That one lesson where the room felt electric
Write them down. Big or small, these are reminders of your impact. Sometimes we forget just how much music teaching matters—and how much we actually accomplish.
💡 Tip: Make a “keep pile” of lessons or activities that landed well this year. They’re gold for next year’s planning!
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🎯 2. Challenges: What Was Tough?
Let’s be honest—some things were probably a struggle. And that’s okay.
• Were there units that never quite clicked?
• Did classroom management feel harder than usual?
• Were you stretched too thin to feel creative?
Naming the challenges isn’t about blame—it’s about learning. Sometimes it helps to ask, “What systems or supports would have made this easier?” That question can lead to solutions, not just stress.
💡 Try jotting these down without judgment. You’re not failing—you’re evolving.
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🔁 3. Repeat or Rethink?
Now that you’ve unpacked the highs and lows, ask yourself:
• What do I want to repeat next year, maybe with a few tweaks?
• What needs a rethink—or a graceful goodbye?
This might be the year you decide to:
• Move your theory unit earlier
• Use more student-led projects
• Set firmer boundaries around extra rehearsals
• Finally try that small ensemble assignment (psst, I’ve got a resource for that!)
This kind of reflection doesn’t have to happen all at once. You might scribble ideas in your planner or type them into a notes app while sitting by the pool.
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📦 4. Set Gentle Goals for Next Year
Notice the word gentle here—no pressure to have a five-year plan. Just a few intentions to carry into next year, like:
• “I want to build more student independence.”
• “I want to feel less overwhelmed in December.”
• “I want my classroom culture to feel joyful and safe.”
Let your goals reflect what you need, not just what the curriculum demands. You’re the heart of your program—and your well-being matters.
💡 Write them on a sticky note or set a reminder for August. Future You will be glad.
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💖 Final Thoughts: You Deserve Rest and Recognition
If all you do this summer is rest, that’s more than enough. 🌿
If you want to reflect, plan, or dream a little—amazing.
If you need to close the door on this year and not look back for a while—that’s okay too.
Just know this: you made music possible for your students. You created space for expression, joy, challenge, and growth. That’s no small thing.
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✨ P.S. If you’re looking for a simple tool to guide student reflection at the end of the year, I’ve got a ready-to-use Music Student Reflection resource that works beautifully for junior, intermediate, and senior levels. Whether you teach grades 4 or 12, this tool helps students think meaningfully about their musical growth, collaboration, and goals – and it’s aligned with curriculum expectations too. Grab it in my TPT store and make those final days feel purposeful and connected. 🎶
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