How to Get the Most Out of Your Student Observation
Sharing Things I Wish I Knew Before Field Residency
For background, I am a 22 year old college senior in Texas. I am an English major with a teaching concentration and my educator preparation program requires me to observe 30 hours for one semester per TEA. So, I was assigned a public school in my city where I would go for 3 hours a week.
Unlike many observations, mine was considered “active observation.” This meant I had to teach mini lessons, interact with the students and towards the end teach a full 45 minute lesson in front of my cooperating teacher and
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Now, I am a very shy person. Being in a seasoned teacher’s classroom in a new school was something that made me incredibly uncomfortable. It is okay to feel intimidated especially as a young 20 something year old, who has probably never been in a classroom in terms of teaching. To make a long story short, I had a lot of issues with student observing, but here are some basic tips I wish I knew:
- Communicate Expectations: A problem I had with my observing is my cooperating teacher only allowed me to observe. However, my program required me to play an active role. This caused issues down the line when it came to teaching my full lesson.
- Build Relationships: This is a season of learning, but it is also a season of networking. No matter how close you are to graduating, this could still be a future place of employment for you. At the very least, if you play your cards right, you could have references for when you do begin your job search. So, be polite and go out of your way to make friends with your cooperating teachers, other teachers, and administration. It could come in handy down the line.
- Get to Know Your Students: This goes along with communicating what you are there to do, but even in observing it is important to make connections with the students. The easiest way to do this is by learning their names. Easy right? I remember towards the end I got the opportunity to do a mini lesson and I called on a student. The first thing she said was, “you know my name?” The little things truly matter in building that connection.
- You Are There to Learn: Do not be afraid to ask questions and interject yourself where it is appropriate. College is expensive and you are most likely the only person paying a ton of money to be there. This is YOUR education. Ask questions, work with students where your cooperating teacher allows. Do not be afraid to learn.
- Consider if Teaching is Right for You: For many of us, this is the first time we are in a classroom less as a student. This is the time we get to see if teaching is really for us. So, pay attention to the grade level you are in, content, culture etc. It is okay to change your mind and this is a great way to know. Immerse yourself in the teaching aspect of education.
- One Day It Will Just Be You: While you should respect and abide by the rules of your cooperating teacher’s classroom, one day you will be a sole teacher. My greatest advice is to have that mindset. Find your unique teaching style while you have supervision and someone to guide you. After a difficult semester of schedule issues and changes, my supervisor allowed me to teach my full lesson without my cooperating teacher because she was out. Over the phone, she said, “well, you will have to do it alone one day anyways might as well start practicing today.” You can do this. It is terrifying teaching alone for the first time, but it is also incredibly fun and rewarding.
Good luck with your observation! I know it can be discouraging at times, but you can do it!
