⭐5 Reflection Questions Every Choir Teacher Should Ask Before the New Year

I am a big fan of podcasts 🎧and have recently discovered The Mel Robbins Podcast. I was just listening to a recent episode about how to make 2026 the best year yet. She encouraged her listeners to scroll through their camera roll from the past year and reflect on the moments that brought them joy.

Because I am always thinking about my choirs and my job🎶, my mind immediately went to this question: How can this apply to choir?

So, as you’re enjoying a much-needed New Year’s break🎉, consider asking yourself a few reflective questions about your choirs in 2025. The start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect and set new goals. But it’s also a great opportunity to find ways to make your life easier and more enjoyable, not just for you, but for your students as well💛.

Here are five questions to consider as you reflect on your 2025 teaching year:

1. What were the things that were most successful?🎯
Success doesn’t always mean a “perfect performance.” Was it a particular concert format, rehearsal routine, or classroom system? Sometimes it means fewer behavior issues, smoother rehearsals, or students feeling confident walking into your room. 

2. What made the students happiest?😄
Think beyond concerts. Was it a fun warm-up, a game day, section competitions, or a tradition you repeated? Student joy is often the clearest indicator of what’s worth keeping. We know team building is an important part of ensembles.

3. What did you do that made your life a little easier?🗂️
This is an important one we often skip. Maybe you reused a lesson, created a routine that ran itself, or found a resource that saved your voice and your sanity. These are wins you don’t want to ignore.

4. How did you connect with your coworkers in a positive way?🤝
Teaching choir can feel isolating. Sure, we love the students, but don’t forget having other adults around to support and encourage you is the best!  Those connections matter more than we sometimes realize.

5. What can you do differently this year to make your life a little more enjoyable?🌱
This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing things differently. Fewer late nights? More structure? More fun? More boundaries? Small changes can have a big impact.

✨🎶As choir teachers, we’re often wired to immediately focus on what didn’t work or what needs fixing. But taking time to notice what did work and what brought joy can shape the year ahead in powerful ways. Let 2026 be the year you keep what works, release what doesn’t, and give yourself permission to build a choir program that supports you just as much as it supports your students. Reflection isn’t about dwelling on the past, it's about designing a better future. Here’s to a more relaxing, productive 2026! 🎉

Happy reflecting!😊 Melanie