Hello,
I'm new here and this is my first post.
I was wondering if anyone would be able to give some advice. I will be ringing the union later but I think it might help to write it all out too.
In Oct I had a formal observation. The lesson went well, the children achieved and progressed withing the lesson. I've generally been considered a strong teacher and I work hard to give my best (whether that mans anything to this, I don't know.)
The feedback was from the head. The other observer was asked not to come and feed back, although I wasnt aware of this at the time. I was praised for the relationships I have with the children, the content, how I guided the support in the room and the differentiation. The conversation then took a sharp turn to one single negative. The head felt that there wasn't suffient stretch within the lesson. Lots of other things were said, unrelated to to the lesson, and it was a very unpleasant atmosphere where I just felt like I was being told off and that I'm not good enough. I took the challenge comment on board as an area to improve but felt the observation had an agenda that I wasn't aware of.
When I recieved my feedback, I wasn't awarded a grade or a place to sign. Unbeknownst to me, I had actually recieved a 'requires improvement grade.'
Nothing has been said of this since and I have continued to do my best, even though my confidence had taken a huge hit.
Fast forward to a book scrutiny this week. The head popped in and started going through my books. I don't mind that, although she was there 30mins and going through things in detail. I knew this time there was an agenda as my forml book scrutiny was to be the day after. I enjoy showing progress through the students books. I think its great opportunity to showcase and celebrate what they can do. I follow the mrking policy to the letter and work hard to offer verbal feedback and a comment, to address any misconceptions and move them on in their learning.
The formal book scutiny was going very well. This time by the DH and an AH, bearing in mind I had taken on board from my lesson observation about streching the children to achieve. They were pleased with this and could see a marked difference in the work form the beginning of the year. I then showed my english books and explained the current structure I had in place to promote challenge and independence. I should add, I work in SEN and have a brand new year 7 class. I have worked hard to nuture them and build up trust. The non accademic side of things, to me at least, is equally important. Not just through school but for life, too.
In English, we learn through a theme. I've got the children to build up sustained writing by introducing handwriting, but layering up the learning. So, checking their reading skills, SPaG and speking a listening skills. Now I know that they can sustain writing of a good period of time, now I can move them on to creative writing etc which is reflected in my planning. I had to build these skills up and have them in place for us to achieve the next step. They didn't like this strategy as they felt it pushed the children too much and was too "samey." I took the point about differentiation not being as clear but could show where it had taken place in each lesson. I could see they were displeased and I was asked to leave.
Yesterday I was pulled into the office and the DH has said they are going to formally observe me again next week. That I should be aware of this as I "failed" my prievous one. I don't know what to do to be honest. I constantly feel like I am not good enough and I am on anti depressants. To be honest, I don't want ot go in on Monday. I don't know if it will help putting it on here or if anyone can point out any glaring mistakes that I have made from the information I've given. Granted, I know there are two sides of the story.
Thank you for readind this if you got to the end.
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Feeling deflated...
41 replies
heartonastring · 07/02/2020 15:47
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