[annie05]

How many times are you observed every school year?

In the past we were observed formally 3 times a year, given an evaluation, and then had a conference to discuss the observation.

This year we have a new principal who says that research proves that more observations equal a higher performing teacher....?!

So we have already been observed 3 times this year and she is promising to be in our rooms EVERY month for an observation!

Very stressful!

[aberbe]

In my district, new teachers are evaluated EIGHT times each year for the first three years. After that, they are evaluated one time every other year. Our district says that research shows that only new teachers really benefit from the ongoing observations.

I'm a new teacher so I'm ready for my three years to be up! My principal does "walk through" almost every classroom every day, but it's very brief and informal.

[robinsondlh]

WOW!!! I thought being "formally" observed once a year was bad. I guess I have it good.
My principal does a daily observation. However, she may stay for as little as 5 minutes, or as long as 45 minutes. You never know. It used to bother me, now I just don't care. She then does one LONG observation and discusses it with us. If we disagree with her findings, we can possibly be observed AGAIN.

[Love3rdGrade]

In our first two years we are observed 3 times. Then the years 3-4 we are observed twice, unless you are struggling then they can do another. Each one has to have this formal bunch of paperwork and a meeting with the pricipal or ap. Once you are tenured it is only once a year. I'm glad I'm tenured and this is my off year!!

However the principal is in our rooms every day and sometimes he sits for a while and fills out a paper on your teaching. We get to see it in a few days. It doesn't bother me anymore and I just go on about my teaching and forget he is even there. I know what I'm doing and feel confident about it. When I need help I go and ask my peers for advice.

In our district, the principals and asst. principals are required to do at least 25 observations per week. So, it's not uncommon to get 3 observations per week. They are preety quick, but it is frustrating if you are not teaching exactly what is in your plans.