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 with my own judgment day coming quickly. In just two weeks, two little weeks, I will be shaking in my shoes! But that’s okay! Because I know I will do what I do everyday. I will do my best and be my best. I will make them laugh, make them cry, and make them cheer with joy at my lesson. I’m a teacher. It’s what I do!
So, for real… Need some tips for your own observation/evaluation? See my blog at The Lesson Cloud for the good stuff!