[TXlady]

I am so upset over the awful observation I had. Now my university supervisor gave me "proficient" on everything, but I am still so upset over it. First, I had already e-mailed my US my plans about a week before she came. In the beginning of the week that I was going to be observed my coop teacher could tell that the kids weren't getting the concept. So my coop teacher tells me to change what I am teaching for the day my US comes. Guess I should have known to email the US and told her the change of plans cause she was NOT happy. Then it was difficult to get the kids quiet and on task, even after giving them directions. After my observation my coop teacher even apologized to me and told me she probably shouldn't have told me to change my plans. Coop teacher even took the blame with the US cause she felt bad about what she had told me to do. But of course my US is blaming me, and somehow I should have known to email her updated plans even though I have never been told to do so, and its not in any kind of handbook. Now US still did have some good things to say about my teaching, but I am now worried sick cause I'll need the US for a reference after graduation. Student teaching is just sooo hard. Your coop teacher tells you to do one thing, and then your university supervisor tells you to do another.

[madelyneva]

My student teachers' university supervisor's usually only ask that the plans for the observation be available when they walk in the room on the observation day, not a week in advance. She should also know that teachers, at times, must adjust/change lesson plans at a moment's notice to meet the needs of their students. I even have to adjust plans in the middle of a lesson, if needed! I think you did the right thing in adjusting your plans if the classroom teacher asked you to do so. I guess just remember to let the supervisor know if you have to do this again-just to keep her happy.

The classroom teacher taking the blame was also a good thing. IMO the supervisor is rather picky, forgetting what it is like "in the classroom." Teachers have to adjust plans a lot.

I think that one of your strengths on a reference should be your willingness and wisdom to be flexible in adjusting your lesson plans to meet the needs of your students! You sound like you're going to be an excellent teacher!

[TXlady]

Thanks! I've been feeling horrible about this situation. But the university supervisor did have some good things to say about me, so hopefully she'll still be okay with filling out some reference forms when I need them.