pinky-swear
ILTs (that’s the acronym for my job as Instructional Lead Teacher) have a code–they invoke the “pinky-swear” when they want to share something that we really shouldn’t share. So I’m invoking the code now, with you good people–pinky swear or you’ll get no good stuff here. Agreed?
Alrighty, then. So part of my job is to observe other teachers. My principal has made it clear that I’m expected to conduct teacher observations–lots of them. Honestly, it’s a bit uncomfortable for me still. I know the teachers feel as if they’re put on the spot. I know just having me in there makes all but the most confident tense. And I know they don’t really believe me when I say that I am there to observe and assist, never to evaluate (and that is REALLY true). What’s sad, though, is when I see a teacher choosing not to do a good job. Recently, when discussing an observation with such a teacher, I asked why she had chosen not to correct or redirect any of the off task behaviors that were taking place. Her response? She didn’t want to make a big deal of it with me in the room.
Okay, now if I had simply observed a kid chatting to his neighbor, I’d believe that. But I watched and listened as numerous students banged out beats on their desks and performed snake-like dance moves with arms outstretched, all while this teacher continued to lecture to the class. As Jerry Lee Lewis might say, “C’mon, baby.”
So I’m curious–to the teachers out there, how do you feel about being observed? And what impact, if any, does being observed have on your classroom management?
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Where are you? Have you ever heard of TESA?
Comment by teacherlongtime — September 4, 2005 @ 7:38 pm
teacherlongtime: I just googled TESA and it looks interesting. I’m taking several teachers to Peer Coaching training with Steven Barkley this year, which seems to offer similar strategies within a professional collaboration model.
Comment by tracilei — September 5, 2005 @ 9:55 am
I think observation is essential to becoming a better teacher. You will just have to little by little earn the trust of the teachers you are observing by giving them targeted praise and helpful criticism, and repeating over and over again that what you are doing is for THEM, that you are on their side. It’s not a form of evaluation. Also, you might ask them to suggest one or two things that they want you to focus on during your observation - encourage reflection on their own work.
I also think that one of the best ways to improve as a teacher is to have a chance to observe other teachers.
Comment by ms. frizzle — September 7, 2005 @ 12:03 pm
TESA is good for beginning teachers or for those in trouble. Our district made everyone go through the training a few years ago, and while most of us already did what it recommends, it was a good reminder.
I have been teaching (junior high, middle school, and now high school) since we handed out stone tablets and chisels as school supplies, and I don’t care who comes in my room at any time. I’m glad that some one will see my kids learning. I love it when visitors (from another teacher, to a parent, to a principal, to the district superintendent comes in, walks around, looks over kids’ shoulders, asks them about their learning, has them explain what we are doing, helps them figure something out. I HATE it when someone (anyone) comes in , sits in the back, and writes and writes while they glance up at the class and at me.
Comment by graycie — September 10, 2005 @ 11:23 pm
If you’re observing in my classroom, be prepared to work. I’d be asking you to get involved, both because I like multiple perspectives and I like for my studnets to see other adults engaged in learning. I’d also probably have a question or two about my teaching that I’d want you to know about before the observation, and I’d want time to discuss with you what you noticed. I’d also ideally want this to be time taken away from my planning time — but I bet that wouldn’t be likely or possible.
Comment by Bud Hunt — September 10, 2005 @ 11:23 pm