3 Tips To Nail Your Formal Teacher Observation (and 3 Pitfalls To Avoid)

[@latanyariley6983]

Always a pleasure to be here. Watching from Jamaica.

[@wandabutler3589]

Observation time is the worst no matter how long you've been teaching. I still try to understand how someone coming in for a day. Can judge my whole year of Teaching skills Due to everyday being different based on how the children feel , how tired they are , what they're going through in life. The worst observation I had was an observer who didn't even speak English And english is the only language I speak . The next yearthe observer gave me all high marks. Except 2 areas Where she gave me lower scores. But everything they wrote about what I did was. How I did a great job awesome job? So it was totally confusing. I wasn't aware I could appeal that but the other scores were really high. Thanks so much for your advice.

[@tinatacklesit1448]

Always like to physically go to the picture schedule posted, and touch what we did, and then what comes next.

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching :)

[@christianemarshall9691]

Thank you Vanessa!! I’d love tips for pre-K special needs. I am working through alternative licensure and the observation sheets have criteria based on older children. It is a mystery for non pre-K special needs observers. I’d love to send you a copy. I am a member of TT.

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Hi Christiane, thanks for watching and for being a Trailblazer! Have you asked in your Trailblazer community? I know we have lots of Trailblazers who are special education teachers. Post there and I'm sure you'll get lots of helpful advice!

[@judithbartlett5419]

Vanessa, I hope you can help me. I teach PreK. This is my principal’s 1st year as a principal. She has no experience with PreK. She did my formal observation early in the year. It was not good. I had her come during circle time. She told me that was not a lesson. I scored poorly because I didn’t show any differentiation. How do I convince her that Circle Time is a lesson. I also think differentiation is shown during small groups and play. Can you please give me some advice? Do you agree that Circle Time is a lesson and you don’t differentiate during it? I appreciate any help you can give me. Also, in 3 days I am presenting my grant to our board so I may join your TrailBlazing program. Thank you for what you do!

[@PreKPagesvideos]

I'm so sorry you're experiencing exactly what I was talking about in this episode. It's a shame that the principal prep classes/programs don't include a "how to evaluate pre-k" class. I find it ironic that she's dinging you for lack of differentiation when in fact, she's the one who isn't differentiating her observations. Sadly, the burden falls on you to educate her, but you have to do it in a way that doesn't make her become defensive. One approach may be to focus on executive function skills - there's tons of research out there that explains how critical executive function skills in school and life. These skills are the building blocks of all future learning, and without them, children will struggle in school. Circle time can help develop almost every single executive function skill. You've inspired me to create something... it's not a magic pill, but it may help teachers in your situation - stay tuned!

[@rachelrussell293]

I am a 3rd grade teacher and also a first year teacher so I am terrified of my first formal observation. However this video has mostly helped me know what to do

[@PreKPagesvideos]

Yay! So glad you found this helpful, best of luck!