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.
I can't believe I missed my own #bfc530 question yesterday! The Norton Anthology of English Literature will always have a place on my bookshelf. Along with CS Lewis, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Douglass Adams, @StephenKing, @jk_rowling, @mstiefvater...
Share a book that will always have a place on your bookshelf (Professional book you found useful or a book your students absolutely love)
@BrianHerb17#BFC530
& add to the question bank: https://t.co/16LoC576RB
Over the years I’ve had several new administrators and everyone seemed to look for something different, now that we have some constancy I feel more confident. #bfc530
Yes I get nervous! It's tough being open for critiques from someone else. I do a lot of self reflecting though so I know this is an important component of my craft #bfc530
Observations ... always want to be on my game for this event but been through this many times ... I know what I am doing and I trust my Admin to understand what I am doing. Not everybody can see/understand the learning happening in my room #bfc530
That's the advice my mom gave me during my first formal. She told me to smile and let my passion / love for the Littles come through. And to overplan haha #bfc530
I used to fear observations as a younger teacher, not as much anymore. I have more confidence in my ability in the classroom & see my observer more as a coach then judge and jury #bfc530
I never get nervous during observations. I do a lot of activities that are outside of the box throughout the year, and I normally invite admin to pop in and check those things out regularly. This gets admin into my room more, which I believe helps lessen the nerves. #bfc530
I had one principal that was in and out of my room all the time. I felt confident in her eval. Sometimes all they see is a snippet and then it is hard.. #bfc530
Not anymore. I used to get nervous whenever there was another teacher in my classroom - like they would notice problems with my lesson.
Time + Experience = Confidence #bfc530
Although when I was teaching in MD, I panicked every time because my admin never saw my worth. Observations were 5 pages long and detailed all the negatives😣 Glad I'm in a place where that no longer happens. #bfc530
My principal is like that and I love it. She sees us on our great days and our challenging days- the last time she was in everything went haywire but I was glad she got to see how we all rolled with it. That's just as important. #bfc530
yes absolutely. i wasn’t as nervous as i thought i was going to be though because my principal is constantly in and out of my room, we talk consistently so she knows the measures i’m taking to improve, knows the kids, and knows me #bfc530
Some teachers who stress about observations have already had conversations with Admin about uncorrected teacher shortcomings ... like a pitcher knowing every hitter can hit their fastball ... going to be a bit nervous #bfc530
I think teaching is so subjective. Everyone can improve every lesson if you are observing. We went through a period of time of many principals. That was difficult. My teaching is research based, but not always what P want to see. #bfc530
Good morning #bfc530! Our observations are coaching rather than assessment. We focus on the positives & then the teacher identifies an area of growth that we can help with. I personally love observing. I learn from every teacher!
Glad youre in a better place. Sounds like an admin who wants you to know who is boss rather than improve your efforts for the sake of your students #bfc530
Mike Mulligan And His Steam Shovel by Virginia Burton will forever and always have a place on my bookshelf and in my soul. The story has been a part of who I am since I first read it as a child. 🍍 #bfc530
Sometimes I set up activities where students will initially fail. I make sure that the person evaluating me knows this so that they understand the method to my madness, in order to initiate a growth mindset for the students of learning. #bfc530
I never get nervous during observations. I do a lot of activities that are outside of the box throughout the year, and I normally invite admin to pop in and check those things out regularly. This gets admin into my room more, which I believe helps lessen the nerves. #bfc530
I wish we had more authentic exchange of feedback so that it felt open and constructive but trust remains a sticky wicket. A lot of our feedback isn’t meaningful in either direction yet. I’m hopeful it will improve over time. #bfc530
yes absolutely. i wasn’t as nervous as i thought i was going to be though because my principal is constantly in and out of my room, we talk consistently so she knows the measures i’m taking to improve, knows the kids, and knows me #bfc530
This is a great point. I'm coaching a new T this year and asked her what she preferred: I pop in every so often unannounced or a more planned formal observation. She loved the pop in idea and we both feel it's much more authentic #bfc530
As a coach I observe Ts all day (non-evaluatively) and try to make them feel at eases with being observed. There are people in and out of classrooms all the time, I believe this reduces observation anxiety when Ts are used to visitors! 😊 👍 #BFC530
That must have been so tough, Christina! I wonder what your admin was thinking - nothing helpful about that kind of observation. Glad you found a better fit! #bfc530
The hope is that if you fail, your P gives you a chance to talk it out. I am sure there is still a lot of good, but it takes a fabulous P to see that and point it out. #bfc530
I used to get nervous. My role now is different. As I visit classrooms, I do see teachers get nervous when I walk through their classrooms. More often than not, I am inspired by what I see! #bfc530
My first year teaching my principal's office was directly across the hall from mine. He was constantly popping in & leaving both constructive criticism & encouragement notes in my mailbox. Hated it at the 1st, but as time went on I grew to appreciate the assistance #bfc530
@ChrisQuinn64, @msiwanicki and her sister and I are running a winter race. I don’t know the last time I did that. Thoughts/advice/clothing. Preparing for about 30s F #bfc530
Our Admin walks through quite often ... our evaluation process requires so “X” number of informal/formal observations throughout the year so a reasonably accurate average can be obtained #bfc530
Consider observation time an opportunity for an objective view of areas for improvement and strengths. Use observers as allies to improve and move forward with collaboration #bfc530
It was such a negative period in my career. I felt worthless. Now I count my blessings every day... I know that experience made me stronger, but man it was an ugly time. #bfc530 Several of you helped me survive those years. 💗
Glad youre in a better place. Sounds like an admin who wants you to know who is boss rather than improve your efforts for the sake of your students #bfc530
That must have been so tough, Christina! I wonder what your admin was thinking - nothing helpful about that kind of observation. Glad you found a better fit! #bfc530
I usually don’t get nervous at all. Though yesterday I was a bit nervous because it was my first one at this district and I was up all night handling my larger job (Mom.) #bfc530
Yes, we got over a foot of snow and don’t have great removal procedures. Cold temperatures has impacted us too. I expect we’ll go back tomorrow. #bfc530
That is so true, I am thankful that every admin that has observed me got to know me & always allowed me to be me rather than force me to conform to be like them. Nor have I ever had a feeling that any of them were out for a "gotcha ya" moment. #bfc530
As a principal, I am around plenty so I am hopeful teachers and students are not nervous when I walk in. That is part of the relationship building process. Feedback is also critical! #bfc530
Yes! I learned the same, and actually had times when admin wanted plans written out in that style (and ready to turn in if asked) for every lesson. #bfc530
How nervous were you the 1st time you had to walk in & do an observation on a teacher? Were you new to the school or had you worked there in another capacity? #bfc530
Good morning everyone. 28 years in and I still get a little nervous. I observe teachers and always tell them to relax but when it is my turn I get nervous as well. Human nature I guess. #BFC530
Now I need to google it. I did work for someone who checked my plan book each Friday for the upcoming week. She would make corrections, etc. it was pretty funny. #bfc530
Regarding Obs.We have an obligation to ensure new Ts see how teaching is practiced in a variety of settings by a variety of teachers. If all they observe is teaching that is disengaging and ordinary and it’s presented as excellence, then their teaching will be effected.
#bfc530
Some is built in already. If we miss more this winter, they will take back days like President’s Day and PD dayS. They have also extended the school day by 10 and even 20 minutes for a period of time (months) to gain time back. This is early for us to miss time! #bfc530
#BFC530 Nervous but working on it. Often previous admin only came in for observations. Need to have a relationship with teachers / staff rather than marginalize or ignore. Otherwise it's likely to create a fear based system.
I love walking down the halls and peeking through the windows of the doors to see how much engagement is taking place in a classroom. What would your classroom look like regarding engagement on a regular basis? Would there be a buzz of noise? #bfc530
I always liked to invite admin in to see what we were doing. As a mentor, I give the same advice to new teachers. When you frequently have guests in your room there are naturally less nerves. #bfc530
More humane than up north where we tack on days in late June and no one wants to be there anymore. In some respects, we are quite backward in the NE educationally. #bfc530
We used to do that but with state mandated tests occurring in May/early June, it makes more sense to recoup time when it can have the most impact on instruction. #bfc530
I really like when administrators come and see what I’m doing in my classroom. They should know how hard I’m working and how hard the students are working. I also appreciate constructive feedback so I can improve my practice. I still get nervous though! #bfc530
The 9 things satisfied teachers feel: trusted, autonomous, safe, backed up, challenged, understood, treasured, at home, they have time to go to the toilet.
Do you agree? When you are satisfied in your teaching, what do you feel? #aussieED#edchathttps://t.co/r5RXCSBMxa
I don’t necessarily get nervous about observations. I have been doing this long enough that someone should have told me to stop, if I wasn’t doing my job. However I do think some schools/ people go overboard with the amount of observations. Just, let me do my job! #bfc530
Was great to read through this thread this morning as a principal. It helps me to see how educators have many different feelings about observations. #BFC530
I still say if there is no problem, they should be very few. I have had to change my routine to meet the observation schedule. I was doing a hands on projects but they wanted to see me lecture the room. That isn’t my style. My students lost out in the end #bfc530
School #1. No nerves, shared rooms so always had adult audience.
#2. Was confident, but learned some use observations as weapon, not tool
#3. Not nervous, but started not trusting some observers
#4. Trying to help other teachers navigate process, build self-efficacy
#bfc530
Then in reality the problem is not the observation but rather the Admin expectation for the observation. Like withandated testing ... detail rubric based observations create assessments that are more about passing the test than real learning/teaching #bfc530
I'm all for that. I just don't want to create a lesson that tries to cram all the strategies in at once in a way I wouldn't normally teach it just to impress someone on a single visit. #bfc530
I try to not be nervous, but the idea of being assessed is difficult (imagine what our Ss feel!) But i wish admins see the everyday magic i see in the classrooms in our building. Maybe more pop-ins? #bfc530
"My brain goes into overdrive of the endless list of things us teachers have to do." TY for sharing, @kathyiwanicki. Glad to know there are others out there! I sleep five hours a night (midnight--5am). Less than four is danger zone. More than five is a very rare bonus. #bfc530
Little late(enjoying the snow days) I don’t believe my staff get nervous because I’m so visible. I’m in and out of their classrooms several times each day. I believe if you’re visible regularly you just blend in and it becomes the norm. Puts everyone at ease. #BFC530
Naturally, I get nervous. I have them observe my most stressful class. This is where I need help and support. It’s always eye opening and good discussion. #bfc530
