Observations

Through Marylhurst, I have a mentor/university supervisor. Today was the first time he observed my class. I think he will observe another four times this semester. I had briefly mentioned on Friday that we would have a visitor on Monday, and said he was my mentor, but I did not want to draw attention away from me, or have them change their behavior. Although we know from Heisenberg that observing something changes its behavior. I also tried not to change how I teach so I could get the best feedback.
It was nice to be able to get feedback from someone whose goal is to make me a better teacher. I am not being graded or judged. Although I do think more about how I teach when their is someone else in the room. I am more concerned about what is working and what is not. But I like also have an extra pair of eyes and ears to let me know what is working and what is not.
Later on in the year I believe one of the assistant principals will also observe me, but that will have a different feel. They also want to help me be a better teacher, but they will also have more influence on whether I get hired next year or not. But that is not for a while. I have a pre-conference conference, or goal setting meeting next week. I swear that is what it is called. And I know I shouldn't swear (or start a sentence with and), but that is what the note I received said.