Pm obs

[Undertheseatatthecinema]

I've been teaching for a long time, but I'm being observed tomorrow and I'm terrified.

Haven't slept properly since it was scheduled and I'm scared I'll go to pieces in front of the observers and miss something important out.

It's so hard to show everything they could be looking for and they'll suggest another (the opposite?) way things could have been done as feedback anyway.

I'm doing my best for my class - so how can I calm down and not stress over this?!

If you’ve been teaching a long time, why are you so stressed? Is it a regular observation?

Do you think they won’t be fair?

Is it with a bad class?

It's just a routine observation. I don't know why I'm so nervous - it's just never got any easier for me!

They're a tough bottom set year 11 group and are hard work to keep on task. They struggle to all listen at the same time and are preoccupied with whatever's gone on in their friendship group outside the lesson.

Doesn't help that they'll be coming in in the second half of a double lesson, so the pressure is on to have produced plenty of work already and still have them engaged.

I don't think they'll be unfair, but will suggest things that just don't work with the group, like I haven't considered them.

You’ve been around the block long enough then that they’ll suggest stuff because they have to and you’ll nod then ignore the stuff because it’s useless.

And both you and the observer go away having ticked the box.

They know what bottom set Y11 are like, and they’ll be (slightly) better with other people in the room too.

Thanks - that's a better way to look at than I have been doing. I hope they're more cooperative with someone else there!

I feel for you.
I wish we did this all on casual drop ins- I'm always happy for anyone to come in. But the pressure of a formal obs is awful.
The second half will be better I think- all settled by then
Good luck- it'll be over this time tomorrow!

Good luck! Double lesson with bottom set Y11, they should give you a medal!

Bottom set Yr 11 for a double? Who on earth did you piss off last July?!
On a serious note, I’m sure you’ll showcase some great strategies for getting them focused, the observer will suggest some alternatives which you will either consider or ignore. It’s no big deal unless there are underlying problems you haven’t mentioned.

How did it go?