It doesn’t matter what career you are in, or how good you are at what you do, when you are told it is time for your annual observation/evaluation, you become just a bit unnerved!
Those of us who are somewhat cocky (tenured and over-confident) may
scoff that it’s no big deal, or that “anyone can step in my classroom
anytime they want!” Well, while that is true, and I personally do
welcome everyone into my classroom, it is still unsettling to
know someone will be entering with a clipboard in hand and an assortment
of category boxes waiting to be checked off in my affirmation.
Even the most confident teacher will feel some anxiety as
the observation approaches. We are in a career where we want to do our
best. We want to impress. We want to engage everyone – and often we want
to entertain. It’s what we do. And that slight fear that we will be the
comedian on the stage with the dead-silent audience (cricket, cricket) sets in our minds and weighs us down like a lump in the throat.
So, what do you do? You do your best! Oh, those words… Do your
best! But they are true!
You do your best, and let the administrator
observing you do the rest. They are in their position to be your leader, your guide, and your mentor.
They are your administrator because they were once in your shoes and
they worked their way to the front office by being the ones who did well
on their own observations and evaluations! They are there to help you
become your best, and they can be your greatest cheerleader. Trust in them to do their jobs well!
Now, I give all this advice as I sit knowing I’m no longer subjected to the torture! But that’s okay! I can still feel your pain. And anxiety! But I know you will do your best and be your best. Make them laugh, make them cry, and make them cheer with joy at your lesson. Be a teacher. It’s what YOU do!
Need some light reading to get your through the anxiety? Read my book, A Lesson Plan for Teachers, New and Old! It’s also available on Amazon! And be sure to download all of my Freebies for Teachers on TpT!
Happy Teaching!