If your school does not currently have an active classroom observation program, then it is important you start one. Observations allow teachers and administrators to work better together and ensure that each child is getting the best education possible.
There are five key aspects that successful classroom observation programs all have in common is each of the following:
Everyone Attends an Orientation About the Program
Before your school can start a classroom observation program, first you need to sit everyone down together and have an orientation about the program. The teachers and observers need to know when and how the observations will take place. And, the teachers need to know what to expect after the observations are completed.
The Teacher is Observed while Teaching The Students
The key aspect of classroom observation programs is having each teacher repeatedly observed while they are teaching the students. Since everyone has better days than others, it is important your program makes time on multiple days for observation sessions. After a few observations, the observer will have a much more accurate picture of the teacher's skills.
There is a Short Debriefing Meeting Between the Observer and Teacher
It is important to schedule classroom observations just before the teacher's preparation period, before the lunch break, or at the end of the teaching day. These times give the observer and teacher a few minutes to get together and debrief about the experience while it is fresh on everyone's' minds. At this quick meeting, the observer should give a general overview of their observations and then an action plan meeting should be scheduled for a future date.
The Observer and Teacher Create an Action Plan for Any Necessary Improvements
After the short debriefing meeting, it is important to make an action plan that addresses the areas where the teacher needs to focus on improving. It is important to take some time to think about the observation and debriefing information before drafting the action plan. This gives everyone a chance to remove their emotions and think more rationally about any negative issues that were encountered.
A Future Follow-Up Meeting is Scheduled to Reevaluate the Teacher's Performance
Finally, the last aspect of a successful classroom observation program is a future follow-up appointment to discuss the teacher's progress and any challenges encountered with making necessary adjustments. This meeting should be scheduled at the same time as the original classroom observation is discussed at the action plan meeting.
