Classroom Observations

Supervisors are required to observe all teachers during classroom instructional periods and to write a report with an “S” (satisfactory) or “U” (unsatisfactory) rating for each observation. The number of times you’ll be observed varies according to your situation:

• New (probationary) teachers are generally observed a minimum of two full periods a year, though they may be observed more often. Some administrators have increased the minimum to six.
• Tenured teachers in elementary and junior high/middle schools are generally observed a minimum of one full period per year. Some administrators have increased that to two.
• Tenured high school teachers are generally observed a minimum of two full periods per year by an assistant principal and one full period by the principal.

The principal should tell you in advance that he or she will be formally observing you on a particular day. Ask in writing for individual, lesson-specific pre- and post-observation conferences. Use the pre-observation conference to clarify what your supervisor expects to see during the visit. He or she may ask you for a lesson plan so you should have one prepared and bring it with you. Following the observation, you should write down your recollections of the lesson, which will help you at the post-observation conference with your supervisor.

At the post-observation conference, your supervisor will discuss what he or she has seen and give you feedback. You should be given a written report of the observation within three months of the date you were observed (excluding the summer). If you believe the report is inaccurate or unfair, you should speak to your chapter leader, who can help you formulate a written response and advise you of the other options open to you. Your response must be attached to the original report and placed with the original in your file.

If the observation is rated “unsatisfactory,” you should speak to your chapter leader, who can explain the various contractual responses available to you. If there are concerns about your professional skills, you can seek assistance from your mentor; your school’s lead teacher (if one exists), the literacy or math coach, the Peer Intervention program, the Peer Intervention Plus program or the Teacher Center. In any case, if the observation report is not used to support disciplinary charges for three years, you have the right to remove it permanently from your file.

Principals have always had the right to make unannounced (informal) visits to your classroom, to ask to see your lesson plan, and to write up what they observe. You are entitled to a post-observation conference after an informal observation. If that does not occur, you should speak to your chapter leader about filing a grievance. If you think you are being singled out (e.g., observed more than other staff), you should keep a log of the visits and speak to your chapter leader.

Also see Professional Conciliation.