Worn Out

Today was my observation. It didn't go as well as I would have liked.

The first two classes were great! They seemed to like my activity, and participated fairly well. Unfortunately, the third class did not go as well, and that was the one that was observed. The activity went well, it wasn't until after the activity that I had problems. The students didn't want to sit down at first. Then they just wouldn't stop talking. I had to ask them repeatedly to stop talking. I had to call students out by name. And, on top of talking too much, they were not participating in the discussion. So, it looked like they were bored or not understanding. Mr. Dorray wasn't in the room, and they don't have the same respect for me as they do for him.

I wasn't able to get feedback from my advisor because he was moving on to observe someone else, but he did say that the biggest thing that needed improvement was: "obviously discipline." The obviously part is discouraging.

I wanted to yell at the kids near the end of the class, to tell them that their behavior was affecting my grade. I am sure they didn't realize that the person in the back was going to grade me. But, it probably wouldn't have mattered to them anyways. Sigh. I was so frustrated when Mr. Dorray came back and asked me how it went.

These kids are pretty good when he is in the room, but it is entirely different when he leaves. So, I asked him to start stepping out of the room more often when I am teaching, so that I can get more practice with it.

Now I just want to take a nap.

****Update****

I received my observation form from my advisor. Everything was scored on a scale of 1-4, and I didn't manage to do better than a 3, even if he noted that something was "great". I got a 2 on my classroom management. Also, he didn't give any suggestions for anything other than classroom management. 

So, although I got 3/4 on all but one thing, there were no suggestions on how to improve. I got 38/52 points.

Trials and Tribulations

I am still gaining the respect of many of my students. They know I have some power, but are also aware that I am not a full-fledged teacher. Mr. Dorray's homeroom class has silent lunch for two weeks, so he has been taking them back to the classroom for lunch. I stay with the 2nd Academic class in the cafeteria and walk them back.  It's too much to write, but I will say that they were not behaving. This includes: throwing food, not following directions, talking back, one boy pinching a girl's butt, not being quiet when told to be in the hallways.

I told Mr. Dorray when we got back to the classroom and he lectured the students. He told them to listen to me. He told them that they had to behave. He lectured the food throwers and was VERY firm about it (the student who was inappropriately touching the girl will get a referral).  He told them that I was there to learn and become a teacher myself and that he would not let them discourage me. They took him seriously. And him sticking up for me made me feel better.

When the next class (3rd Academic) started, he reminded them (not a reprimand) that I was there for a purpose and that they must listen to me, follow my directions and make me feel welcome. They responded with a round of applause for me and I bowed. The applause went on for a while and we had to tell them to stop (I like this class).

Two very different experiences in a very long day.