Nothing says welcome back to school after a snow day like an observation. Luckily I was well prepared using my snow day to get everything ready and printed for me lesson. I can’t say it’s much easier as a second year teacher than a first year. I still feel the spotlight on me and pressure to be asking higher level questions, differentiating, and managing behavior all while speaking French. Luckily, I was speaking French right as my observers walked in. The kids were engaged for the most part working together using maps and speaking and writing in French. I had a small hope after yesterday’s snow day my observation might’ve been rescheduled, but now that is over I can breathe a sigh of relief. Observations often don’t come in the best of circumstances but I’m feeling calm and fairly confident in my lesson. Here’s to smooth sailing the rest of the week.
Today I am grateful for a snow day. I have just come back from back to back trip. The first, an amazing trip to Europe with my students, and the second a funeral. I've been jet lagged and emotional and I am grateful to have space and time to myself to rest and recharge today. Last week due to all the travel and grief, I was very stuck and felt on edge. I felt easily irritated and found myself neglecting grades in order to try to be present for my family as they grieved. I felt like a bad teacher. I often feel this difficult balance and sometimes find it difficult to be a good teacher and good friend, relative, significant other. I feel sometimes when I feel I'm doing really well as a teacher, my personal life is not as nourished and I don't feel my relationships are being well cultivated. But to the opposite, if I feel I am being a good friend/daughter/significant other, I am not necessarily a good teacher. I am so grateful to have today to pause and rest and reflect. I h
I can definitely relate. I'm a second year teacher and so far this year I've been observed 3 out of the 4 times I'm required to be. The second time I was observed it was the week before Christmas vacation. This last time was the day of our Valentine's Day party AND 30 minutes before it was to start. I still get a little nervous and cross my fingers that none of my kids choose to turn into little terrors. But hey it's another observation done and you can relax a little.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Anna Maria! Observations are not the most fun aspect of teaching but definitely feeling relieved to have another one complete.
DeleteObservations don't really ever get easier! It sounds like you did great, and in reality- we are always doing "our job" whether it's the actual act of teaching your subject or all the "other stuff" we teach/do for our kids!! Don't ever feel like you're "not good enough" because you totally are!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and for your words or encouragement Jenna! I definitely have the "not good enough" thoughts sometimes but I know that is all in my own head.
DeleteI hate to tell you but I still get observation gitters...and it is my 27th year as a teacher! I guess we can both celebrate wanting to do the best we can, especially when we are being watched.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading Sally! Yes, it's a good sign that we want to do well!
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