Today is the last day of Christmas vacation and I am spending my time relaxing in preparation for school tomorrow. I spent two solid days making lesson plans, copies of student materials, and new seating charts. Yesterday I spent six hours at school in preparation for “go time” tomorrow. Getting ready for second semester is similar to getting ready for the beginning of school.
My class lists have changed little from first semester. Two AP Chemistry students have seen the light and decided to drop my class, while another is “thinking about it” for now. Two students were moved up from regular chemistry to my fifth period Honors chemistry class—both coming highly recommended from their former teacher. A new student was added to my regular chemistry class. She was not in chemistry last semester and is not a transfer student, so I assume that she is someone who failed second semester last year and has to repeat.
The first two weeks of second semester is the time period this year for my observation and evaluation by administration. I was assigned to an assistant principal for my evaluation, someone who has evaluated me in the past. I emailed him over break; attaching copies of my syllabus, schedule, and study guide for the unit. Protocol suggests that I we would have an initial meeting to go over the syllabus and schedule several observations. Last year three observations were scheduled, but only one occurred. From talking to other faculty members I have found that the observations can be meticulous, getting to the minutia of a teacher’s work, or superficial to the point of being worthless. As a consequence, many faculty members fear being observed, and lack the proper respect for the process. Many believe that our administrators have preconceived notions concerning their competence, using the observation process to harass teachers they find fault with, while letting their “pets” skate by with little or no supervision. While I find this conclusion false, I can see why it persists.
At any rate, I am going to bed. I anticipate a long day ahead of me and will need my sleep.
