Critical thinking and self-reflection are two key aspects that are encouraged in all the courses I teach. I believe that a student is empowered when given the freedom to bring past experiences into the classroom and combine them with the course objectives. Then allowing the student space for self-reflection on what they just learned provides a foundation of application. I believe that when I provided a learning environment for autonomy to exists for students that is where critical thinking and self-reflection thrive within them. Students’ autonomy and learning is what makes self-reflection valuable to the student. Allowing the student to have the power over their learning allows them to express themselves in ways that if the professor had the power may stifle the student’s ability to think critically and/or produce quality self-reflection.