Student showcases. End-of-year parties. Memory books and award ceremonies. There’s no shortage of ways we celebrate students this time of year—but what about you, educator? Amid the busyness of wrapping up the school year, it can be hard to pause and reflect on your own growth.
PBL teaching isn't always easy, but it’s meaningful, creative, and worthwhile. It means creating learning experiences that often don’t come with a script, stepping into uncertainty with your students, and adapting in real time. You collaborate, take risks, and welcome feedback. You open your classroom doors to colleagues, families, and community partners because you know learning is more meaningful when it’s shared. You find joy in getting to know your students for who they are, and you believe in their ability to tackle real-world problems. It’s demanding work—but it’s also deeply rewarding.
So, whether you’re already on break or wrapping up soon, we invite you to pause and recognize all you’ve poured into this journey.
Here's a list of 5 reflective prompts designed specifically for teachers to celebrate their Project Based Learning (PBL) journey, paired with subtle ways to turn reflection into celebration:
5 Ways to Reflect on and Celebrate Your PBL Journey
Question 1: What moment made you feel most proud of your students’ growth?
⮕ Write it down, share it with a colleague, or post it somewhere visible as a reminder of your impact.
Question 2: When did a project spark unexpected joy, curiosity, or creativity—in your students or in you?
⮕ Capture that story in a photo caption or short note. Consider adding it to your portfolio or resume.
Question 3: What feedback or “aha” moment from a student stuck with you?
⮕ Celebrate that moment by jotting it down as a keepsake, sketching a quick doodle to capture it, or writing a short note to the student to let them know how much their insight meant to you.
Question 4: How did you grow as a project facilitator, coach, or designer this year?
⮕ Name the specific skill or mindset shift. Then treat yourself—even a fancy coffee, an afternoon at a bookstore, or a trip to the ice cream shop can be a celebration of this milestone.
Question 5: What part of your PBL practice are you excited to build on next year?
⮕ Make a vision board, jot it in a journal, or share your idea with a teammate to spark collaboration.
PBL is deep work, and it deserves deep celebration.
By taking time to reflect on your PBL journey, you’re not only honoring your hard work—you’re also engaging in a practice shown to strengthen teaching effectiveness. Even if journaling or reflection isn’t usually your thing, give it a try—you might be surprised by what comes up. And if you lead a teaching team, consider bringing these prompts to a staff meeting or end-of-year gathering. You’ve done incredible work this year. Recognizing it—on your own or with others—is more than reflection. It’s celebration.
Download the prompts as a printable PDF to reflect at your own pace or share with a colleague.
