Does your school use observations as a learning tool or to try to getcha?

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They SAY learning, but in reality it’s a gotcha!

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Ummm... I use MY observations to show my principal my most challenging class...
He is a “do the minimum” kind of guy when it comes to observations and evaluations... I mean... I had to explain to HIM how the Professional Learning Focus was supposed to work. I do it kindly of course and position myself as another resource of information... But I don’t back down from pointing to my portfolio and arguing for a higher score if I feel I deserve it.
In most of the admin manuals it talks about the purpose of the evaluation being a tool for growth and conversation.
Now failing to do the job you agreed to should be dealt with... there’s too much at stake to leave people in the classroom who aren’t there to educate our kids to the best of their ability... And it may not be for everyone, but I do believe in using every piece of documentation to remove an ineffective teacher...
But I also started off in a “Gotcha” situation. I had peers, admin, initiative partners, and “school tourists” walking through my room at least once a week. I guess I just learned to play the game and how to be on point as much as possible.
If you know the rubric... you SHOULD be able to OWN that assessment.
I’ve also learned that it really isn’t about my performance as a teacher... my evaluator (if they’re a real educator) is looking for what the STUDENTS are doing/learning. What are they getting from the learning experience I orchestrated?
That’s more than what you asked for... but there you have it.

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my principal always emphasizes that her goal is to invest in her teachers for the long term and use the observation to help her teachers set goals and develop as professionals

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My old school used it to target. I changed schools. I feel more supported now.

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I say more as an obligation. They know who they want to get rid of and do no matter what their observations were. I had one summative evaluation where my evaluator said he cobbled my report from the multiple times he was in my room but kept getting called out. He was not in my room all year

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Learning tool

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I use them as growth tools for teachers that are open to grow, allowing them to participate in arriving at the final rating. Those who need more help in recognizing areas of grow and are open to grow I decide the final rating. Those who are not growth minded and see no issues with antiquated techniques often see it as “gotcha”...I see it as stubborn.

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I would have to say gotcha. The reason is because my administration still does not know that I am the highest growth teacher in my department, and I have been so since I have been at the school.

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They say learning but the fact that they are used as the basis for your evaluation at all makes them not a learning tool. Consider how formative & summative assessments work. A formal, evaluative observation is NOT formative.

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Learning tool! But it's also because my administrator is amazing and I'm also honest with her about my struggles and where I feel I'm not measuring up like I should. She sees I value the guidance in growing as a teacher.

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Learning tool. But I also use it as a learning tool. I always ask how I can do my job better and I insist that my admin help me.

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Yes.

Learning Tool

I think as a learning tool.

Learning Tool 😊...very thankful for that

Absolutely “gotcha”

Thanks for all the responses. I definitely think it depends on your administrator. Just agree and try to show that you are using/applying their feedback.

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