My Teaching Notebook.

Below are images of a notebook I used while teaching College English II at Medgar Evers College, CUNY. I found that taking the time to reflect on my practices several times as I taught during the semester (as opposed to one time after the semester was over) helped me respond to issues in real time and also helped me to understand what approaches were successful. (Note: If you’re not an analog note-taker, using the Notes app on your mobile device to create these prompts is just as useful.)

These are course agendas; I used the Cornell Note Taking System set-up to organize my notes. On the right side of the page, I write out the class schedule for the day, and the left column, I write any possible notes or observations I feel I can make

These are course agendas; I used the Cornell Note Taking System set-up to organize my notes. On the right side of the page, I write out the class schedule for the day, and the left column, I write any possible notes or observations I feel I can make about what's written on the right side.

On the page to the right, I have a "Brain Dump" section, where I write out random concerns, ideas, and tasks that I'm afraid I'll forget. This exercise can be helpful between course planning sessions.

On the page to the right, I have a "Brain Dump" section, where I write out random concerns, ideas, and tasks that I'm afraid I'll forget. This exercise can be helpful between course planning sessions.

On the left page, I created a reflection section with prompts. The first is titled "Wins," where I'd write what went well that week in-class. The second prompt is titled "Areas for Improvement," where I write down things / scenarios that could have b

On the left page, I created a reflection section with prompts. The first is titled "Wins," where I'd write what went well that week in-class. The second prompt is titled "Areas for Improvement," where I write down things / scenarios that could have been handled or thought through better. The third prompt is titled "What I Learned This Week," where I, well, write down what I learned that week. Finally, there's a section titled "Action Steps for Next Week," where I write down what to do for next week's classes. (I got these prompts from a teacher and bullet-journalist on YouTube - unfortunately I cannot remember their page name. Wanted to attribute, though! These prompts have been very helpful, especially during the times in the semester when things get busy.)

These are notes I take on books, articles, and passages I'm covering in a lecture. It's nice (when you have the time / energy) to write out text summaries and major points to impart to students, and this note-taking style makes it fun to do. (Again,

These are notes I take on books, articles, and passages I'm covering in a lecture. It's nice (when you have the time / energy) to write out text summaries and major points to impart to students, and this note-taking style makes it fun to do. (Again, very inspired style-wise by creative bullet journalists.)

This is a second example of course notes.

This is a second example of course notes.