The Breakfast Club – #BFC530 – is a 15 minute, 1 question Twitter chat every weekday. We chat in 4 timezones Mon-Fri – 5:30am Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Times. The mission of BFC is to empower participants to make a difference in education by engaging in consistent reflective practice in a supportive community that inspires and challenges one another.
In my 1st observation ever, I remember my chair taking a good amount of time to talk about how ugly my room was. I think she meant disorganized but the repeated word was ugly. #bfc530
I don’t really have a response for our question this morning. I wish you all a wonderful day and a great first weekend of December! I’m off for a run. 🏃#bfc530
I didn’t have learning targets posted. I was administering an assessment. In all fairness, though, the admin in question is new and he had no idea what was happening. #bfc530
#bfc530 Haha...lot of them seemed absurd at the time but looking back they feel alright. Have tried to implement what was possible. Else just moved on.
In my 1st observation ever, I remember my chair taking a good amount of time to talk about how ugly my room was. I think she meant disorganized but the repeated word was ugly. #bfc530
I was told I was too loud and too fast and I needed to slow down to make sure everyone got it. My style is to teach and THEN modify with individuals. This admin. Wanted me to teach very slow. #bfc530
@MrEandre: when I'm in an observation, I always look to see what the classroom tells me about teaching/learning/students in this specific room.
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I’m sure there have been absurd comments at times but luckily they haven’t lingered in my memories. I’m sure most things I didn’t necessarily like were probably true. #bfc530
At a PLC meeting with the superintendent, I was the first teacher to arrive, as I was working a maternity leave and needed a permanent job. The principal introduced me to the superintendent, and he greeted me with, "It's a shame that they don't have their real teacher." #bfc530
Saw it last night with the Girl Scouts in town. Adults all cried. I really enjoyed. My two read the book and complain they left important story lines out. I'm thinking you'll enjoy:)
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At a PLC meeting with the superintendent, I was the first teacher to arrive, as I was working a maternity leave and needed a permanent job. The principal introduced me to the superintendent, and he greeted me with, "It's a shame that they don't have their real teacher." #bfc530
No strange comments, but once had an AP stay to observe me on a project work day, like day 3/5 for indep work. He just had to get the observation done, not sure what he “saw.” #bfc530
#bfc530 Once I got a negative comment for giving an unprepared S a pencil. I did the same thing with another observer--commendation! Two views of T/S relationship, I guess!
Im not sure of any absurd statements. Always like it when observer tells me a clssrm approach I used is evidence of some big educational theory when I was doing it b/c it reaches kids & helps w/understanding #bfc530
Haha that “The students seemed a little distracted” I mean it was the last week of school and literally an hour before the preschool graduation ceremony and party ....what could they possibly be distracted by? Hummmm 🤔🤨🤣 #bfc530
1st year teaching - between classes I was standing by the door between classes which was required, but it was noted that there was crumpled paper on the floor that should have been picked up between classes. I was crushed & still don't know how I could've done both. #bfc530
Good morning #bfc530. I'm not sure if I've had anything absurd, but I hate when my observer spells my name incorrectly. Doesn't happen on one anymore but still happens all the time, especially in email.
I once watched an observer dose off on my couch ... wasn't an absurd comment but it was rather funny. The kids were doing their thing and didn't even notice. #bfc530
The real issue here is actionable feedback vs needless feedback. Ill take anything if you can show me how to use it properly to improve my practice. #bfc530
I'm going in with low expectations. I've read the book for years, it has many wonderful qualities, but not much subtlety or nuance. I anticipate serious schmaltz just hope it's not "afterschool special" level. It will be great to compare/contrast in class next week. #bfc530
Bulletin boards were never my "thing." Usually I had students or another teacher friend of mine create & craft them for me! Left the same 1 up for 2 years-LOL!!!!
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My student teacher was told they must post the learning goa (e.g. solve similar triangles) at the start of each lesson by the uni.
I told my ST never to do so as it stops the Ss from having to choose which Math tool helps the. Solve the day's problem.
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The most absurd comment is the comment not left ... don't give me a canned response. "Great Job! You use tech so well!" If you are in my room I EXPECT to gain something from your presence. #bfc530
#bfc530 I used to have a paraprofessional who would sit in the back of the room and play with her iphone for the entire class. No degree, no #teaching experience, no work ethic, but she always felt compelled to share her feedback on my teaching.
It does have a bit of After School special to it. But with no expectations I liked it. Compare and contrast will be great exercise for the kids if they read it. It's required for grade 6.
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I'm going in with low expectations. I've read the book for years, it has many wonderful qualities, but not much subtlety or nuance. I anticipate serious schmaltz just hope it's not "afterschool special" level. It will be great to compare/contrast in class next week. #bfc530
I so agree with this. Many times I think that admin feel they need to write something negative so we can improve. I feel watching a lesson there can always be improvements. What is that called? Sunday quarterback? #bfc530
I would love there to be a day when observations could lose the negative stigma for so many and be looked at as a pos opportunity for growth, reflection & Learning. #bfc530
🤷🏻♀️ what!?! That’s what they were focused on 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️that is so bizarre that they would write that in a formal observation...good news is that reflects poorly on them, def not on you! Have an awesome day! #bfc530
Not necessarily a specific comment, but it’s so interesting to see what is valued. Silent work, animated discussion, tons of examples, few examples, Ss “understanding” quickly, Ss working and processing and struggling a little, etc etc. #bfc530
I would love there to be a day when observations could lose the negative stigma for so many and be looked at as a pos opportunity for growth, reflection & Learning. #bfc530
Had a lesson that went very close to how i planned it. Admin luved it. on my reflection I said I really wouldn't change much. His comment I didn't reflect enough !! #bfc530
What I would like to see, but rarely get ... Have you ever tried? #bfc530 Although this is a double edged sword as if it is a reverse progress recommendation it will annoy me.
Then clearly they weren't doing a very good job of being in classrooms regularly. Had they, they would already know that this student struggles w/ social/behavior.
As educational leader we must be present in classrooms as often as possible!
#bfc530
Two absurd statements are burned in my core...
1 - "You might want to think abt another career" - Undergrad Prof to me
2 - "There's no place for cellphones in education." - NJ Superintendent (not that long ago & still active)
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Best feedback I've received is when the ball's been thrown in my court - when a reflective question has been posed to me rather than a suggestion given to me.
"Who is doing more work during this lesson? You or your students?"
#Powerful#bfc530
Two absurd statements are burned in my core...
1 - "You might want to think abt another career" - Undergrad Prof to me
2 - "There's no place for cellphones in education." - NJ Superintendent (not that long ago & still active)
#bfc530
I have no patience for these kinds of answers. Danielson has plenty of places that you could consistently score fours if you kept the right documentation and aligned yourself with the rubric. There’s not reason not to get all 4s in domain 1 or 4. You have complete control there.
That I shouldn’t sit on my desk or say “guys” when referring to my students. I also got a recommendation to not keep my windows open on the bottom #bfc530
"You know you should have them do a research paper." It was my first year teaching. 4 separate preps. I coached 3 sports and was a class advisor. I just wanted advice on planning engaging lessons... #bfc530
Then that’s not following the rubric. No where in Danielson does it say that they shouldn’t give out 4s. This is a misapplication of the rubric. Make sure your documentation matches the language of the rubric. As teachers, we wouldn’t be allowed to only give only a few A’s.
On one hand, Caitlin,I agree: sheesh. On the other hand, I've followed recent building/district efforts to use language more intentionally & inclusively. That means I've (almost) broken my habit of referring to students in class as 'ladies & gentlemen.' #bfc530
Oh yeah! That’s another fall back for me too. And the fact was during that observation I was trying so hard not to say it, but was so nervous I said it three times 🤣🤣 #bfc530
Man, picking up that advisor should have scored you bonus points. The good news . . . you're hear today to tell about it. Better news . . . you're a stronger leader because of it. #bfc530
