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THE RUCKUS MAKER MONTHLY THEME: REFLECTION

The Power of Reflection: Insights from Jennifer Bertram’s Leadership Journey

Reflection is a vital tool for school leaders who want to grow, adapt, and lead with purpose.

Jennifer Bertram’s story is a compelling example of how intentional reflection can shape leadership, build community, and create lasting school culture.

Reflecting on Your Unique Leadership Path

Jennifer’s career didn’t follow a traditional path.

From teaching in Canada to schools across South America and Asia, she embraced diverse experiences that challenged her assumptions about leadership.

What stands out is how Jennifer consistently took time to reflect on each step, asking herself what she had learned, what felt authentic, and where she wanted to grow.

This deep reflection helped her trust her inner leadership expert, even when the path seemed uncertain.

Jennifer’s story is a great reminder that reflecting on our unique journeys helps us uncover strengths and clarify our direction.

Using Reflection to Build Meaningful Connections

Leadership can sometimes feel isolating, but Jennifer found that reflection also meant recognizing the value of community.

She reflected on her experiences and realized the importance of surrounding herself with peers who understood her challenges.

This insight led her to seek out supportive networks, where she could share ideas and gain encouragement.

Reflection helped Jennifer see that leadership is not a solo endeavor and it thrives through connection and collaboration.

Creating Core Values Through Reflective Practice

One of Jennifer’s most powerful reflections was on the role of core values in school culture.

She noticed that many schools had values that were abstract and easily forgotten.

Through thoughtful reflection, Jennifer crafted “sticky” core values — simple, memorable phrases that resonated deeply with her school community.

These values were not just words but lived experiences that guided daily decisions and interactions.

Her reflective approach shows how taking time to revisit and refine values can transform school culture from the inside out.

Reflective Actions:

• Set aside regular time to reflect on what’s working, what’s not, and what you’re learning

• Reflect on your support networks and consider how you can deepen connections

• Review your school’s core values and think about how to make them actionable

Jennifer Bertram’s leadership story illustrates that reflection is a practice, and the engine that drives our leadership journey.

When used with intention it fuels growth, connection, and purposeful leadership.

If you’re ready to deepen your reflective practice join our community of passionate school leaders.

Because great leaders never stop learning.