Informal observations are brief observations that are not necessarily part of the formal evaluation process. As a school administrator and primary instructional coach, you will conduct informal and formal observations. Informal observations allow you to take the pulse of the school by giving you a glimpse of what is happening across classrooms daily.
Allocate at least 1 hour in the field to support this field experience.
Coordinate with your principal mentor to observe and collaborate on the process related to informally and formally observing teachers. Review the evaluation tool used at your site before addressing the following with your mentor:
What are your strategies for conducting informal observations?
How often do you conduct informal and formal observations?
What is your strategy for providing feedback?
Continue to collaborate with your principal mentor to conduct two short informal observations of two teachers during their instructional time. Each observation should be approximately 10 minutes long and focus on the effectiveness of instruction and quality of the instructional environment, as well as anything about the tool used at your site. If a tool is not used, follow the lead of your principal mentor as to how informal observations are recorded. Compare your observations and observation notes with your principal mentor, and discuss your findings to determine inter-rater reliability.
Use any time remaining from this field experience assignment to assist the principal mentor and, provided permission, seek opportunities to observe and/or assist the principal mentor.
In 250-500 words, summarize and reflect on the observation process, and your experience conducting the informal observations. Incorporate PSEL Standard 6 into your reflection and how it relates to the teacher coaching development process. Describe how you will apply what you have learned to your future professional practice.