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Classroom Observations And Walkthroughs: How To Reduce Anxiety And Impress Your Observer!

by Armando Elliott

Teaching is a very demanding job.  Not only do teachers spend hours each day in front of students teaching, but they have to plan great lessons that are able to reach each student and meet standards. Teachers also have to provide a classroom that accommodates the different learning styles of all students. 

Planned observations and unplanned classroom walkthroughs can be nerve-wracking for teachers. Teaching children is one thing, but having peers or superiors watch is a whole different ballgame. Some teachers experience major anxiety during these observations. You may not be able to eliminate all anxiety, but there are things you can do to minimize the anxiety you experience.

If your observation is planned:

  • Have a solid plan that you are comfortable with! If something doesn't "feel right" or seems difficult to teach in your lesson, save that for a time when you do not have a planned observation scheduled. 
  • Visualize yourself teaching the lesson. As you are trying to fall asleep at night or when you have time to relax during the day, go over the lesson and how you'd like it look in your head.
  • Practice! It may help to do a run through before you teach the lesson

Unplanned walkthroughs give your administrator the opportunity to see a lesson that you have not specifically prepared for them to watch. This will give them an idea of what goes on in your classroom on a daily basis. This type of observation can be especially hard for an anxious teacher. There are things you can do in this situation to help your nerves.

If your walkthrough is unplanned:

  • Keep yourself grounded by taking deep, even breathes. Find something to focus on and concentrate on that to calm your nerves.
  • Have a tried and true activity to fall back on. Pull out a cooperative technique that you use often or use individual white boards to engage students.

Prepare for the unexpected in advance.

Creating detailed lesson plans ahead of time will allow you to ensure that you have included everything you need in your lessons. Make sure that you are putting your plans in writing, even if you aren't required to turn them in. This will help keep you on track every day and you will be prepared for any surprises. 

Include research-based strategies in your teaching regularly. Use higher order thinking skills and make sure your students know the goals of the lessons. These are things that people look for in observations and walkthroughs. 

Standing in front of a group of students is much less intimidating than standing in front of even one peer or administrator. Anxiety can be crippling. Don't let this affect your teaching. The above tips should help you make it through any observations or walkthroughs that come your way. 

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