Weeks of a Beginning Teacher – Week 10: Quiet Milestones

Takeaways in 10s

• Growth comes from sharing – Some of my best lessons were inspired by others.

• Reflecting creates clarity – Preparing for work review felt more like reflection than performance appraisal.

• Keep showing up – 10 consistent weeks of blogging reminded me that simple habits lead to meaningful growth.

This Week in My Teaching Journey

Its the end of Term 2! Somehow, I’ve made it through my first full term as a beginning teacher—maybe not a “full-fledged” one yet, but still standing.

This week’s highlight was preparing for my first-ever work review. I wasn’t sure how it would go, or what my RO would think of my performance, but I ended up appreciating the process. It gave me a much-needed moment to pause and think deeply about my strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. Weirdly, it felt less like a grading session and more like a guided reflection — when my attitude is one of content with my pay, and more of how to become a better teacher and colleague.

One of the most surprising things I’ve realised is how many of my most effective activities and lessons written in my work review were ideas I adapted from conversations with colleagues. I’m learning that it’s not about being original all the time, but about being open—about having the humility to listen and learn, and the generosity to eventually pay it forward.

Also, this blog made its way into my work review. What started as a personal little journaling space became something that reflected my professional growth. It’s a strange but meaningful reminder that when you put your heart into something, it will benefit you in ways you didn’t expect. Ten weeks of consistent posting might seem like a small thing, but to me, it’s a quiet milestone I did not know I could achieve.

Finally, I’m starting to realise how much I value alone time. Amid the busyness of the term, those quiet moments to recharge—and the meaningful conversations I do manage to have—feel even more precious. I’m hoping to be more intentional about nurturing those relationships, while continuing to reflect, grow, and improve as a teacher and a person.

If I Could Tell My Younger Self One Thing…

Here's a quote from my desk -

Be open to learning from others. You don’t have to invent the wheel to be an effective teacher.

Make space for reflection. Growth doesn’t happen in the rush; it happens in the pause.

Your consistency matters more than your brilliance. Keep showing up—small steps build the path.

Disclaimer: This blog post is a summary of my written takeaways by ChatGPT and the cover image is generated by using the takeaway as the prompt in ChatGPT.