Structured Observation

I had my structured observation today. And, it... was.... nuts.

First of all, a structured observation is a DCPS requirement in which the principal observes a teacher's classroom and gives the teacher marks/feedback on their performance. These observations are planned, so that each party knows what to expect. I knew the lesson I was giving; I knew when my principal was coming. I did not know that it was just going to be one of those days where everything goes wrong. Ugh.

The actual lesson that I gave went very well. On the other hand, the classroom around me practically exploded during and after the lesson. No one was hitting or running around the room, but just weird, crazy things were happening that honestly NEVER happen in my room. Here is a list of the insanity that ensued while my principal was in my room.

1. TWO buckets of water were kicked over. My assistant had to get the big mop (from down the hall) TWICE! Usually, we use the big mop once per week at the most!
2. I had to request for my assistant to remove a child who was watching the lesson I was giving because he could not stop touching the work and was standing DIRECTLY in front of my observing principal.
3. Another child decided to lean on a shelf and it somehow managed to fall off the brackets. I've never had this happen in my room, ever! At this point, the situtation was just comical.
4. Of course, about three children sitting near us were just playing with their materials because the chaos around them was distracting.

It was ridiculous! I don't know if my principal think I'm insane or if she just thinks Montessori is weird. I'm almost hoping the latter so that I don't get a poor rating. A silver lining to this situation is that I have another observation in the spring, so at least I can show improvement. Sigh.

Tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow is a new day...