Getting Observed - the open door policy.

Today I had an observation for the English class. I am not sure where I am up to in relation to draft posts that I have not published and ones that I have - for this blog -  but I will briefly explain that I have felt incredibly worried and incapable at teaching this class this year. There are many things that bought on these feelings and I am not going to go into them - because that's not important. What is, is how I dealt with the impending observation and what I consider the outcome to be.

I have not had any feedback yet, so that is something I am still mindful of. (Not worrying about, just aware). However, I did worry about the observation, and in the past this would have really wound me up. When I was at teachers college, one of my supervisors said to me that you must always have the policy of open door teaching. It's only when the doors are closed that people will think the need to look in and see what is going on.

An observation makes me observe myself. What is it that underlines the focus in my classroom for that lesson, that week, that unit or that term.  I think back to the key competencies, the values and the principals of the curriculum. I know getting observed should not be the catalyst for this, but sometimes it is. I can affirm however, that I do reflect about this in other times as well - not ONLY when I am getting observed.

I started with the video that I have linked into this post. Man I love Kid President. He has a untouched enthusiasm about learning and being that I find inspiring and enjoyable - the students and I watched this with to get motivated about exam prep and inspired to be successful.

Like I said before, I was anxious about this observation. I always create anxiety when my abilities are going to be on show (as, I would like to argue, most people would?) But in planning the lesson, and watching the video above, I realised that my ethic to teaching is to facilitate people to be more awesome. That is what drives me each day. I think it reflects my ethic and passion to be a teacher and in acknowledging this, I could chill out about the idea of being observed in this.

Sure, at this end of the year, if I could do some things differently, or more efficiently, or with more preparation, I would have. But I am assured that my attitude and reason for doing this job are right and I can always do things differently, efficiently and with more preparation.

So at the end of my rambles, I guess I have a question. Are their other teachers that feel a sense of dread around observations as much as I do, even though the do have confidence teaching and classroom? Also - are their other professions who would have moments where they are observed in their practice for around an hour at a time?

Just my musings for today.
It's hump day! Happy Wednesday everyone.

Miss N