The Power of One Goal: Setting a Year-Long Focus for Classroom Success

As teachers, the start of a new school year is filled with possibilities. New students, new lessons, new opportunities to inspire and connect. But for me, one of the most important things I do at the beginning of every year is set one clear, focused classroom goal. Not five, not three—just one. It’s a habit I’ve developed over time, and it has transformed the way I approach my teaching.

In the past, I’ve set different goals. One year, I focused on mental health initiatives to ensure my classroom was a supportive space for students who needed it most. Another year, I worked on my classroom management techniques. Each goal was tailored to what I felt would have the biggest impact on my students that year. But the key was always the same: one goal, one year, all my focus.

My Classroom Goal This Year: Review Activities

This year, my goal is to improve the review activities I create for my students to better prepare them for tests and quizzes. My rationale for focusing on this is simple. I’ve noticed over the years that some students—no matter what I say or do—don’t study independently, and it really impacts their performance when it comes time for assessments. I want to change that. My aim is to adjust my review strategies so that they are not only engaging but also effective at helping every student, especially those who aren’t studying independently, feel confident when they sit down for a test. Okay, so that’s where my head’s at. 

The 1% Rule: Small Wins Lead to Big Gains

This idea of focusing on one thing reminds me of the “1% rule” from Atomic Habits by James Clear. The principle is simple yet profound: if you improve just 1% every day in a specific area, by the end of the year, those tiny improvements compound into something transformative. It’s about small, consistent changes that lead to huge breakthroughs over time.

By focusing on improving my review activities by just 1% each time—whether by tweaking a quiz game, introducing a new study method, or simply adjusting how I present the material—I know that by the end of the year, my students will be much better equipped to tackle tests and quizzes. It’s not about overhauling everything all at once. It’s about small, daily wins that add up to big change.

The Power of One Goal

The beauty of setting just one classroom goal is that it keeps things manageable. It allows me to give that goal the attention it deserves without feeling overwhelmed. And by choosing something different each year, I ensure that I’m always growing as a teacher. Whether it’s mental health one year, classroom management another, or review activities this year—each goal brings something new to my teaching practice and, more importantly, something new to my students’ experience in my classroom.

If you’re a teacher looking to improve this year, I challenge you to pick one goal. Focus on it, nurture it, and give it time to grow. Make tiny, 1% improvements each day, and watch how those small changes add up by the end of the year. You’ll be amazed at the transformation—not only in your teaching but in your students’ success.

What will your one goal be this year?