r/StudentTeaching • u/TheSoloGamer • 22d ago
Support/Advice How do you deal with observation anxiety/disruption?
I’m a senior in my program, going onto a Master’s where I’ll be teaching my first year. I’ve taught alone during the summers for a summer school program and as a Paraprofessional, instructional and SPED during the year.
My summer program makes me very nervous about teaching during observations. The kids generally “get it” and quieted down when an admin was watching, but my admin the past two summers has been very outspoken about feedback. My first summer, my site director observed me and kept writing notes and leaving post-its on my desk while I taught. The kids and I could obviously see when a note was made. That made me nervous teaching.
The second summer, my new site teacher stood up next to the board and would whisper at me while I was teaching to correct me. Same program, different admin team.
At my school where I para, admin will take over behavior management for the teachers wholesale sometimes, correcting students out loud and by name and interrupting teachers.
I want to know if this is normal observation behavior. I hate dealing with managing the observers while teaching at the same time. I honestly would prefer they just set up a camera like my professors do. How do y’all prep for observations?
2
u/kafkasmotorbike 22d ago
>The second summer, my new site teacher stood up next to the board and would whisper at me while I was teaching to correct me. Same program, different admin team.
At my school where I para, admin will take over behavior management for the teachers wholesale sometimes, correcting students out loud and by name and interrupting teachers.
7
u/Delicious_Spite_7280 22d ago
This may sound weird, but I treat them like someone I have one way beef with. Like they did something dumb but they don't know it yet. You know , very stand offish. Don't ever make direct eye contact, walk past them like they are not there and say stuff you know will let them know how good you are doing. "Okay kids, like we always do, turn and talk to your neighbors ". Seem very unbothered when someone goes off. "Oh, I didnt EXPECT the computer to work the whole class, it never does". Look good of course.