Presence

[Serena1977]

I'm an ECT1 and I've had some feedback today.

I need to increase my presence in school. My mentor said the role of a teacher is not just to teach my lessons to my class but to be present in the whole school. So I asked how and he talked about running a cross school after school club (which i do) or being involved in assemblies during setting up 🤯

It was all a bit vague.

Any ideas how I can increase my presence?

Meanwhile I've told my ECTs to focus on being the best classroom teacher they can

It usually seems to mean: be a tall man.

@MrsHamlet
Yes, I have concentrated on my class, getting to know them, their personalities, planning, teaching and all the work that goes with that, also doing my ECT learning and attending ECT conferences etc. He doesn't seem to have any major issues with my teaching just tweaks here and there. But this week he has brought this up.

It was the vagueness. I'm out at breaks and dinner on the yard chatting to the kids not just my class. I'm friendly with all the staff from the cook to the cleaners to class teachers. We help each other out.
It's just the vagueness.

@HedyPrism
What does that mean? I'm perplexed with today's non teaching related feedback.

It's vague because it's nonsense

Maybe sit in the staffroom every break and speak and laugh in an extra loud animated way!😆

He probably thinks he’s not doing his job unless he gives you “feedback for improvement” and couldn’t think of anything else to say. You know, two stars and a wish. Sounds like you’re doing great.

Presence is such a meaningless thing, and it is often used as feedback IME when the person observing thinks you aren't quite doing what they'd like, but they can't put their finger on why. It can also just mean your personality is different.

Given he's suggested you do something you already do (run a cross school club) I'd be tempted to take it with a pinch of salt.

But equally it's hard to ignore feedback from your mentor.

I would be tempted to drop him an email along the lines of:

"On X date, you gave me some feedback about improving my presence, but I found this a bit confusing. You suggested setting up a cross school club, but I already run XXX. I already try to do X and Y so I am seen by students and staff around school.

I would really appreciate some clarity on what else I should be doing in order to improve my presence, and what you mean by presence in this context?

Many Thanks..."

I find when you ask people to clarify their confusing feedback in writing, they often realise what they've said isn't really actionable, or perhaps even a bit unfair...

@MrsHamlet thank you

@TortolaParadise I think I'll try that!!

@FlemishHorse thank you

@Postapocalypticcowgirl thank you! I think you might be right. I think my personality can be a bit intense. I have been told in a previous career ( I'm mid 40s) that I am a bit eccentric and anal!

I am certainly getting results looking at the summative assessments and book looks. The kids in my class seem happy.

So I'll be a larger than life presence next week. Maybe I'll eat in the dining hall with the kids or go play in the yard with them at breaks!

I have 6 ECTs. I try to give mine meaningful, actionable targets.

Maybe I'll eat in the dining hall with the kids or go play in the yard with them at breaks!

If you want to do this, that's great BUT please be aware you cannot be expected to do this by your school- you are entitled to a break in your day, and it should be the length of your school's lunch break.

Teaching is an intense job, and taking breaks is important to avoid burnout!

DO NOT spend your lunch break eating with the students or going out on the playground.

The 'presence' feedback is bullshit. It means they can't find any fault with your teaching so have to come up with something else. If you let it teaching and SLT specifically, will take and take and take until you burn out. Use your lunch to eat and have a break from the kids ,you will probably use it to mark/prep as we all do but don't do an unpaid lunch duty!

I specifically tell my ECTs not to volunteer for lunch duty. Some ignore me.
Some people think I'm a harridan. That's fine. I have their best interest at heart.