It is time for the observation schedule to start at my school and I know I am on the list, after all, this is only my 3rd year teaching and I am therefore still on probation and under observation. The first year I was observed twice, last year once, and this year also only once. While something beneficial always comes out of my observations, here is what I wish they really looked like.
- I wish there were more. I am not an excellent teacher, I have many years to grow from, so any feedback is important to me. However, when that official feedback is only given once a year after a 30 minute observation, major things may go unnoticed or not be discussed at all. What a missed learning opprtunity.
- I wish some were surprise observations. I sweat over my observation, I ponder and torture myself as I prepare only to realize that I am in essence putting on a dog and pony show. My students act totally different than they normally do, not because I ask them to, but because the principal is sitting in my classroom and that is uncommon. So therefore my lesson looks, feels and is different. It is not in order to deceive but an adaptation to the situation. If observations were more frequent and less formal a true snapshot of my teaching would be gathered much more easily and I could be observed in a genuine manner rather than in a staged one.
- I wish there were other observers. Most principals have a view of education that has been set by their own educational experiences as a teacher. Feedback, therefore, is often derived from this knowledge set. If others come in to observe you, differing ideas or viewpoints will be brought to light. How amazing would it be if a different principal came in to see you or someone not in administration? Think of the various feedback that could be given.
- I wish principals still taught. In Canada, some principals such as @MrWejr are required to teach a class while working as assistant principals. I think this is an incredibly powerful idea. If a principal still teaches, their observations on your teaching will be much more relevant because they are not relying on experiences in their past, but rather in their present. They become more relatable and also more current in their work and can thus provide up-to-date feedback and encouragement.
- I wish the conversation continued. Often a post-observation conference is scheduled, held and then nothing else is discussed until the next year. In my fantasy, goals are written and discussed throughout the year. And not loose goals either but actual tangible, observable goals decided in a partnership with the observer. That way I know specifically what to work on, how to achieve it while being provided a chance to discuss progress and setbacks with someone. The learning therefore continues after the observation is officially completed.
While these are my major wishes, I wonder what observations would look like if teachers were able to shape them instead of being told how they should look. Imagine the conversation and reflection that would be gained from such a task. So fellow educators, what do you wish for, what is your fantasy and more importantly, how do we make it a reality?
