My Teaching Observation: Spring 2025

So, if you follow me on Instagram, you'll be aware of the fact that I recently had a teaching observation that I was very concerned about. If you don't, this is me telling you now that I felt concerned after the observation was over. Now, I finally have the notes from that observation, and I wanted to share and reflect on them today.

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Why I Was Concerned About My Teaching Observation

At this point in time, I am an adjunct professor, and I would very much like for it to become a full-time position. One has just opened up, and I imagine that is why this observation needed to be squeezed in. That, and the fact that they wanted an idea of how I set up my classroom.

What happened during the observation is that my observer left in the middle of class. I know I'm a newer educator, but I had never had that happen before. At UCF, they stayed the whole time, so I started to worry when my observer left early. Specifically, I wondered why they left early.

Luckily, we had a meeting, and here at this school, they don't stay to observe the whole class. What they stay for is one activity and one transition, so I was able to relax a little after being informed of that. I feel like the notes I got from my observation are reflective enough that I will just share them here.

Notes from My Teaching Observation

"Professor Dao began class by welcoming students in a respectful and kind manner. She asked if any student had questions or concerns and waited to see how she could offer help. Then she moved on to explain that she had a movie trailer to show for the play the class was currently reading, The Importance of Being Earnest. She selected the trailer to give the students a sense of the time period in which the play was written and its mood.

"After the trailer played, Professor Dao asked students, “How does seeing the trailer change your view of the play?” Students commented about the time period and the humor in the trailer, which they didn’t pick up on when reading the work.

"The discussion showed that Professor Dao has built an atmosphere that is comfortable and safe for students to share their thoughts. When one student asked a question about a specific quotation, Professor Dao asked leading questions to guide students to the discovery of some answers for that student’s question. Clearly, Professor Dao is skilled at leading students through a discussion to find meaning on their own.

"Professor Dao projected a PowerPoint presentation in which she identified points for further discussion, such as expectations, characterization, plot, setting, style, and theme. This is a great strategy to help students and the professor stay on topic.

"Professor Dao has an especially kind and appealing manner with her students. Her students have the vocabulary to speak intelligently about the reading material, and her responses are gentle and thoughtful. When one student proffered an original idea, she said, “Good question – I hadn’t considered that before.” At the end of a discussion on the current reading, Dao pulled out prompt cards and offered quiet students a way to participate: “I haven’t heard from you, pick a card and answer.” When a student struggled to formulate a response, she said, “Would you like a moment to think about it?”

"At the end of the discussion, Professor Dao transitioned to the next activity by giving students a task and then completing the housekeeping chores (putting away cards, changing the PowerPoint slide). This is a good practice as students should always be settled in an activity before the instructor attends to her own needs.

"Overall, Professor Dao has good instincts in the classroom and an excellent and patient manner with her students."

Reflecting on My Teaching Observation

Honestly, moving forward I need to remember how I react after having an observation, because two out of three observations have left me feeling stressed and worried about my position. Yet, all three times, I have received praise for the way that I conduct my classroom activities and how I communicate with my students. This should become a regular reminder that I have been properly trained, and I am competent at my job.