Observing Other Teachers

This semester I’m teaching a course on the Nature of Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities. One of the requirements is to complete a field experience component. I feel this is a very important component because it gives insight into how other teachers are dealing with certain situations. I know my students will benefit from this opportunity but then I started thinking about how all teachers should be taking this opportunity at least once a year to observe and reflect on this. I thought I would share my questions that may help with this reflection.

Setting:
Look at how the room is set up, including seating, bulletin boards, etc. Describe the setting to give me a clear picture of your setting. What other things do you notice in the room that would tell you certain reasons why something is set the way it is? Does the set up of things like classroom supplies, or other things in the room, lend itself to efficiency? If it were your classroom, what would you change and why?

Behavior:
How to respond to student behavior is one of the greatest concerns of beginning teachers. This activity will help you to gain practical knowledge about how to respond to various types of behavior. Whenever you observe an instance of student behavior (positive or negative), describe the incident, describe the type of behavior, and the teacher’s response. Some examples of teacher responses are: moved closer to problem student, made and held eye contact with problem student, rested hand on student, integrated off-task remark into teaching activities, told the student to stop, restated the rule or procedure for the student, had the student identify the rule or procedure, imposed a consequence or reward, change activity, or other. Think about the teacher’s most common responses to instances of behavior. Were these successful? Why or why not? Describe your thoughts concerning these observations. Discuss the classroom or school-wide system of behavior management.

Teaching Strategies:
Describe and discuss at least three different strategies you’ve seen used by the host teacher. In these observations, also describe what you saw in terms of student response.

Accommodations and Modifications:
Accommodations and modifications are often used with students who have learning needs. Describe and discuss at least three different accommodations or modifications you’ve seen employed. Also, describe what you saw in terms of student use and success.

What other topics would you include in this reflection? Please share.

Photo by Adam Winger on Unsplash

Observations

We can learn a lot by observing others. When we want to learn something, we should observe those who know how to do what we want to do.

I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, so I was constantly observing teachers as I went through school. I noted teachers that I felt were good and helped me be a better teacher. I observed those teachers that I knew I wouldn’t want to be like.

When students think about careers, they should go shadow someone already in the field. They should learn about the pros and cons of that career so they know what they're getting into if they decide to pursue it.

When I want to try a new craft, I like to go on YouTube and observe someone else actually making what I want to make. I can observe what they are doing so that I could do the same thing. If I watch several videos, I'll get a better idea of the different techniques used so I can decide which one will work best for me.

I believe students learn a lot by observing too and we don’t remember how influential observations may be.

When students are observing me, I want to be a good role model. I want them to see how I can solve problems. I want them to see how I deal with my emotions especially frustration, disappointment, and frustration. I want my students to observe that I try to be fair and kind to others.

Knowing that students are good at observing others, it is important to take time to discuss their observations. This is an important way to show you are not ignoring their knowledge of what others are doing and how they behave. By talking about the positive and negative things they observe, you can help them process what they have observed. They can learn to decide what actions are appropriate or not appropriate.

Observation is a crucial strategy in learning.

How do you encourage students to use the power of observation? Please share?

Photo by Elisabeth Wales on Unsplash

You Are Being Watched

In Ubiquitous video: for good or evil? From Blue Skunk Blog, Doug Johnson shares

“While I am deeply saddened that Mr. Floyd was killed, I am grateful it was captured on a video that may be the spark needed to light fires of reform. Would more such sparks be made were cameras ubiquitous?”

I think it is important to remember that there are appropriate situations where cameras are appropriate and times when it is not. I don’t think any regulatory agency should be watching me in my home or on private property. But I do believe that cameras in public places are a good thing.

I believe that the knowledge of being watched by cameras can help control people’s behaviors.

I know that if I see traffic cameras, I’m going to be extra careful about my actions when driving. I normally follow the law but this makes me more aware of my actions and I don’t take anything for granted.

I don’t shoplift but I’m glad there are cameras that can catch people who do shoplift. This helps keep prices lower for me since they won’t be trying to recoup losses by raising prices.

I have security cameras on and around my house to protect my property. If someone comes to do harm to me or my property, it can be recorded for the police to apprehend the criminals.

I’m glad that policemen have bodycams so the actions of everybody can be reviewed. It has always been he said/she said kind of argument in courts and now there is evidence to prove what really happened.

There have been cameras in our school cafeteria that has been used to catch who started a food fight or a physical fight. It has helped catch students in places that they should not have been.

I feel that the classroom is another place that having cameras would be advantageous for all. I’ve mentioned before that I call all the parents of my students and inform them that I set up a video camera and record my classes. I also let them know that it is to help me be a better teacher and if their child comes home concerned about an issue, we can watch the video together to resolve the problem. I have never had a parent oppose my recording of the classroom.

Students are anxious at first when they see the camera but eventually get used to it and even ignore it. Yet they know that anything they go home to tell their parents can be verified by this recording, so it helps control behaviors in the classroom and allows me to concentrate on teaching.

I also feel that I teach effectively so I don’t care if I’m caught on camera or if a parent shows up unexpectedly to my classroom. I will teach the same way no matter what because I know I’m doing the right thing. In fact, in the beginning of the year, I inform the administration and the guidance counselors that I invite parents to come to my classroom without notifying me ahead of time. I do ask that they contact administrators or guidance counselors in case we have a special schedule or program that day and time they plan to visit. By doing this, I’m establishing a feeling of trust between us. They are entrusting me to teach their child the right way and act appropriately while doing this. I’m showing that I can be trusted.

How do you feel about cameras in the classroom? Please share.

Photo by Caleb Martin on Unsplash

Paying Attention

In On Noticing from Ideas and Thoughts, Dean Shareski challenges,

“I write this if only to challenge you and to remind myself to notice things.”

Sometimes I get so caught up in my own world that I forget to notice things. When I am in a quiet place and reading a book, I get so involved in the book that the world around me ceases to exist. Sometimes when I’m on a walk or hiking, I get so focused on my thoughts that I forget to appreciate the world around me. When I’m traveling, I see so many people who are so focused on the electronics that they don’t seem to appreciate the beauty around them.

I confess that I used to be that way. When we would go on a road trip, I would either read or nap while we traveled. Now I make an effort to knit or listen to an audiobook so that I can see the beauty that we are traveling through. I confess that if it is a trip that we make a lot, I tend to read or nap anyway but if it is new territory, I’m going to pay attention better.

I tend to get very egocentric when I’m anxious. We are planning an upcoming trip and with all the details, I tend to forget to enjoy the fun of planning. I am a person who makes a lot of lists because going on a trip involves the unknown and I have no control over the unknown. Having lists makes me feel like I have some control over something. But worrying about the details and what may happen sometimes keeps me from noticing what is going on in the present. I have to consciously make myself be more aware of what is happening around me at that time.

I am going to be flying on a plane for the first time in many years and I’m worried about the TSA procedures, connecting flights, layovers, and possibly losing my luggage. But I’m going to plan on doing more observations and even pictures in the airport to help me not lose focus on what is going on around me.

I am also addicted to people watching. I like to see what people are wearing and I love to read funny sayings on their t-shirts. I find it interesting to watch how people interact with others in their group or with people they don’t know. When we go to a place with large crowds, I like to see how people from different cultures or countries interact with each other. It is also interesting how young people interact with older people.

I also love taking photos with my phone camera. I’m trying to do better at taking pictures from different angles or perspectives. I’m trying to notice angles and curves and colors.

I think our students get in the same habits with their school work. Some students are so focused on their studies and getting better grades that they become oblivious to the other activities that will help them be a well-rounded student. Others are so focused on their own behavior (for whatever reasons) that they can’t focus on their learning. Some are so focused on their peers that they don’t notice some behaviors that may negatively influence them and don’t realize they need to find peers with a more positive influence.

I need to set a better example.  I’m going to make more of an effort to notice things.

What keeps you from noticing things? How will you change this?

 Photo by Jenni Chen, license CC BY

A Child's Haven

Recently my student invited me to come to her school, A Child’sHaven, and observe her classroom. I always jump at the chance to see a classroom with children involved. So I made arrangements with her administrator to come out on Friday morning. I was amazed at what a wonderful experience this is for young children!

A Child’s Haven is is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The children who attend the school are from infants to 5 years old. Many have developmental delays as a result of poverty, neglect, or abuse. Parents have to apply and the children are assessed before being accepted at no cost to the family and all costs are paid by Medicaid. Children are even picked up and brought home by the bus! Children attend from 9am - 1pm every day and teachers are there approximately 7 - 3 every day. Children attend this year-round until they can enter the regular public school.

I arrived at the school at 9:30 in the morning and was cordially greeted by the receptionist. An administrator, Megan, came to escort me to an observation room where I could see the class without disrupting the normal activity. The atmosphere of the school and hallways was very welcoming and bright. I was able to ask questions and Megan easily answered all of them. By observing from a separate room, I was able to see everything without bothering the students or the teachers. I wish all classrooms had an observation room like this not just for administrators or visitors but for parents too. I was actually able to look into 2 different classrooms from this one room. One class was the Caterpillars room and the other class was the Hummingbirds room. I was able to see a lot of similarities in the overall program but also see the differences that we made for the different children and ages.

The students were engaged in Center activities when I got there. I saw a dress-up center and a reading center and tables setup for small group activities. I also saw an area where they would have Circle Group. Many other shelves that were used for storage were covered a covering some to help minimize distractions to the students.

In the three to five-year-old classroom there were four teachers and 11 students ages 3 to 5. I was told there was no toilet training requirement for a child to be in this program. The teachers seem to work a lot on social interactions and acceptable behaviors. Each child had three goals that they were working on. I watched a couple of children have a meltdown but each was professionally handled within minimal amount of disruption to the whole class activity.

There seemed to be a lot of paperwork involved in this program. Teachers were involved in paperwork before and after school in order to be accountable to Medicaid. Throughout the day the teachers keep notes on all of the children and fill out reports from their notes. Things the teachers did in the classroom towards meeting the goals and how the children responded as well as a summary was completed every day on each child. I remember doing this as a new teacher my first year and really enjoyed reflecting on the children's’ progress at the end of the year. I wish I had kept it up throughout my career.

The playground area was very open. I watched the children play on the bouncy balls with handles. In the center of the playground was a water play area that is used in the summer. The slide was also built into a hill with large steps in the side of the hill going up to the top of the slide. There was also a fence that separated the very young children from the older children with a gate that connected the two sides for adults. This seems like it would be a very safe playground for children!

I was very impressed with the structure and the educational environment that I saw. I like the teacher-student ratio and how the classrooms are set up. I also like all the activities that the students were involved in. This was not just a preschool babysitting/daycare environment. This was an actual learning environment where children learn acceptable behaviors that will prepare them for success in the regular school environment.

I'm very glad I went to visit the school and I'm so glad my student invited me to see her teaching environment!

The Dreaded Teacher Observation

In Are Teacher Observations Helpful? From @DavidGeurin Blog, David Geurin asks,

"Question: How are observations working at your school? In what ways are they helpful or not helpful?"

At our school, each teacher was formally evaluated every three years. Part of this formal evaluation was at least two unscheduled observations.  

I hated these with a passion! When an administrator walked in my room for an observation, I would stammer and shake. I felt like I was going to pass out!!

I knew that I was a good teacher and usually passed these with flying colors but I couldn’t help but get nervous!

I would warn my students about the observations and even asked them to help me get through it. They were usually surprised I felt this way and were quick to come to my aid. Of course it helps that I had a great rapport with my students.

Since I knew what was expected for the evaluation because we had forms that were used to evaluate us, I modeled all of my lessons so that I covered each item on the list. If I made a habit of doing what was expected for every lesson, it would become natural and not forced. Once my students saw what I had to do, they would make sure I didn’t leave any parts out of the process. I even wrote a lot of the process on the board so that they helped me cover everything. Eventually, I didn’t have to write the process out and the students let me know if I forgot something.

My problem with these type of evaluations is that I feel like I’m putting on a performance rather than real teaching. I’m so nervous and anxious that you wouldn’t think that I knew what I was doing.

Luckily I had a few administrators at my last school who knew I was a good teacher and was able to evaluate me without it seeming like a formal observation. I invited administrators to eat lunch in my room even if I was teaching because my room used to be an old home economics room. My room was equipped with 3 kitchens and 1 full refrigerator. Since my special ed class was so small, the administrators could eat in one kitchen and never disturb my class. It was during these times that they were able to see me teach and I was so used to them being there that I wasn’t nervous around them.

I wonder how many teachers get “dinged” for not doing things during these observations because they were so nervous they missed things. I don’t think it is a fair way to determine if a teacher is a good teacher or not.

I know many people are not in favor of cameras in the classroom but I think it would be a wonderful idea. I would not teach in a different style if an administrator was in the room or not but I would be more comfortable no knowing if I was being watched. I also think many students would be better behaved if they didn’t know if they were being watched.

So, I guess I don’t think observations are very helpful but I’m not sure there is a better way to evaluate a teacher. There aren’t enough administrators to go around and observe teachers as much as they should. Once a semester seems like a waste of time to me other than for the district to have some kind of documentation if they need to fire you.

How do you feel about teacher observations? Do you think they are helpful or not and why? Please share.