Does anyone have any advice for controlling lesson observation nerves?

[Missandei]

Wondering if anyone has any advice on combating nerves/ anxiety/ malaise relating to lesson observations? I have one next week; the climate at work is not good, like lots of schools we have constant scrutiny, learning walks, moderation, drop ins etc. It seems that if 'your face doesn't fit' things can become difficult pretty quickly. Several teachers are off on long-term sick with stress/ exhaustion type issues and it seems like management are looking for any excuse to grind people further in to the ground. Speaking to colleagues everyone sympathises but is basically in the same boat. I am starting counselling this week but wondered if anyone has any top tips for powering through the paperwork this weekend and not ending up a sobbing wreck on the morning of the observation! I really need to catch up with paperwork, perfect my planning and be on top form this week but instead I'm feeling depressed and demotivated.

I've recently realised that the people observing me have either never taught (quality 'manager' who I know got a teaching qual in 2001 but has never had a teaching role) or were poor teachers.

This helped a lot - if I were being observed by current Grade 1 teachers I'd care and lap up their advice. The opinions of someone who's never done my job really don't matter.

Thank you for replying, the person observing is SMT and teaches part-time, I think she gets 'outstanding' obs and we get on fine but the fact that my ability to continue to pay the mortgage might depend on how much somebody else likes me worries me a lot!

Hypnosis does it for me. It works really really well

Honestly - trying not to give a shit and not trying too hard!
I know my head is never going to yell me I'm outstanding so I stopped trying too hard! Now I teach whatever I was going to teach anyway and just make sure I do it well. No bells or whistles.

Thank you for the replies! I tried 'hypnotherapy' but it didn't make any difference for me, I might look at trying a different practitioner though... I would love to be able to not care and not try too hard but I'm on my own financially and I worry about losing my job or being 'forced out' as has happened to other people. With the new performance related pay and performance management targets now stipulating X number of 'outstanding' lesson observations I feel like I'm never going to be good enough.

It sounds crazy but completely ignore the fact that they're there watching and imagine it's just you and you're acting a role. Appear really confident and positive, even if you don't feel it. Run through each step of the lesson in your head the night before and think carefully about what you're going to say. Use a detailed PowerPoint to guide you in case of bad nerves. Good luck.

OP - I really feel for you. If you take a step back and look at this situation it's just not right. I'm sure you are a perfectly good teacher and yet you talk about needing counselling and hypnotherapy. What is happening in our profession? I fully appreciate that you need to work but perhaps you should really think about whether this deconstructive pressure is worth it? Would you be better leaving and trying supply, or another school?

Coming back into teaching after a couple of years out, my nerves were sky high when I was being observed. And I'm an expeienced teacher! Very similar sounding school, except all the teachers at mine are young and relish the challenge of working for an outstanding grade

Someone recommended bachs rescue remedy, and I tried it. It was amazing! Calmed me down, no butterflies or sick feeling and I could concentrate on the lesson. Still didn't get outstanding though

Thank you again for the replies, I just popped out to Holland and Barrett and got some Rescue Remedy before it closed so I'll be trying that. I try and think positively and rehearse what I'm going to say but will think about a more detailed set of notes in case of panic.

I've been teaching for five years and have done lots of supply and worked in a few different areas, types of schools and sectors, I was hoping that once I got a permanent job things would get easier but I've been at my current school for eighteen months and it's actually far from the worst school I've worked in! I do keep an eye out for jobs outside teaching but I find it hard to get all my work done as it is so don't have chance to do extra stuff or projects in school that could help me get in to other areas. I know I've turned in to a negative, whiny constantly tired and anxious person and I usually try not to bother other people with my moans and groans so thank you for reading and replying!

I just wanted to reply to say you are not alone. Workplace dilemmas is a sad place on TES at the moment. You can only do your best.

Explain the problem to your GP and ask if you could have a prescription for beta-blockers to take on the day. S/he may prefer to give them to you than to have you come back later for more serious problems. I was always told that medical students take them for exam nerves, and recently a friend of my daughter got them because she had to give a presentation at uni and suffers from serious anxiety in that situation. I'm not sure how regularly/for how long they can be taken, but no harm in exploring the option.

One of my colleagues imagines the observer naked...

What is your lesson plan like? I have got one coming up too and I disagree with someone above, sadly it does need to be all bells and whistles..have you thought of everything? Good luck and remember that you are good enough!

Rehearse the night before... literally stand in your classroom (shut the door) then go through the lesson. Think about what you will do at certain points if they aren't getting it to adjust. If you are more familiar with it and have plan Bs you will have one less thing to worry about. Try to make sure the lesson is quite simply in terms of not too much going on. Use phrases like 'because yesterday you X' to show you have considered prior learning/justify choices which could otherwise be misinterpreted and criticized. Bribe the children to come in quickly, if you are doing anything which is a new format then try to pre-explain it a bit the day before or practice and then the next day do it as a 'beat your time' activity. Anything to reduce your worry!
Imagine them naked, convince yourself their opinion is not going to make the world end and only you know the class, situation, your own strengths and choices. Try to be open to their comments (yes I know this is hard) the observation will help you know what they liked and how you can do things differently next time to please them (yes observations sadly have become about pleasing someone rather than effective teaching often). See it is a chance to show off what you can do, even if it makes them jealous. Remember hundreds and thousands of teachers across the country will be going through the same and are all metaphorically holding your hand. Sometimes I think of my grandfather and imagine him watching and how proud he would be of me (a bit sad I know but it helps!).

You can do it! Ultimately, it is an hour of your life which will soon seem insignificant.

Been teaching 20 years and still feel like anything and everything will go wrong in an observation and no matter how many times people tell me what a great teacher I am if I do 9 things right, it is the 1 thing wrong that I kick myself over. I have tried everything and still get myself in a state. Always have always will. Just how I am.

Thank you for all the replies they are really helpful and have made me feel less alone! The observation has now been postponed as the observer is off sick - not sure if I'm relieved or upset...

Teacher here but in lreland and just want to say that the pressure ye are all under is horrendous.. What the hell is going on? How can did be constructive and how does it make ye better teachers? I have so much sympathy for ye and am so grateful for the loving teaching job l have here which l totally enjoy even if l am a bit wrecked now that holidays are here. No suggestions for keeping calm except to say your stress is understandable.

Ignore them. Pretend they are not there. Also remember they shouldn't be grading you. And keep a check on how many drop ins you have so they don't go over what they can.

I just act like they aren't there. I ask lots of questions and use lots of praise, which I do anyway but lavish it on them in obs! Make sure your pace is good but remember ofsted don't want plans and are not looking for a particular teaching style anymore so just go with it in your lessons. If something is working then let it keep on.

I hate observations with every part of me but actually those who observe me don't notice this. They tell me I'm relaxed and it's because I act like I can't see them.

Just came on to say you are not alone in feeling this way. You've had some great advice, but I second rehearsing in your classroom. I know you can go through it at home but it helps to picture your class and think about how certain children may react, or how you would handle it if such and such did his/her usual bad/disruptive/silly noise/behaviour etc!
I'm also in a school with teachers off with stress and horrible atmosphere. What is going on? This isn't the job I wanted to do.