Observation and Evaluation

What a very long, stressful, and exhausting week.  I am glad that it is over!

My observation was Tuesday and it went very well.  The day started off stressful because there was some change in the schedule.  For some reason the homeroom teachers had to have their classes right after assembly, which meant that first period was delayed until second period.  They don't just cancel a period here, they take minutes off of each period to make the whole day very confusing.  You never know when the bell is going to ring; no problem except when it's time for break.  Anyway, I have first period off on Tuesday so I didn't get into the class until second period, which was technically third period.  Confused yet?!  I was 1/2 way through my English lesson when Andrea, مديرة - modeera (Arabic for manager/principal), and the assistant principal came in.  I was working on retelling with my high group.  They did a good job!  I knew they would.  After that it was time for science.   Wind erosion.  Not that easy of a concept to teach.  I took them outside and gave them a tray with sugar (we didn't get sand or soil from ADEC for science so I had them pretend it was sand) and straw and told them to blow.  Let me back up a minute.  Before we went outside we reviewed erosion and I had them predict what was going to happen in the experiment.  Then we went outside and they were the wind.  They did a good job talking about what happened.  We discussed it for a while then came back in and they drew a picture.  I was just getting ready to start answering the questions in the book when the bell rang.  Go figure!  So that was my lesson.  I was very pleased with 3/1.  They can behave, they just choose not to on a regular basis. 

After the lesson it was break time so I went to the staff lounge and was greeted by shouts and clapping and الحمدللة Al hamdullilah (Thank God!).  Somehow all the teachers knew that I had my observation and they knew it was a big deal.  There was a huge celebration.  I was quite surprised!  So we talked in English/Arabic about the observation (well, I mostly talked in English and they mostly talked in Arabic, but somehow we understood each other).  The easy part was over, I told them.  Now I just had to wait for the evaluation, which was scheduled for Tues. afternoon, but had to be changed because the translator couldn't be there until Wed.

Armed with my newly created portfolio I walked into the principal's office Wed. afternoon and nervously waited for Andrea to arrive.  Let me explain the new teacher evaluation process that they implemented in April (2 weeks ago).  The evaluation has 4 standards; school improvement, curriculum, classroom, and community.  Each standard has 4-6 (other than community which only has 1) points below it.  I was to be ranked on each of the points for each of the standards and I needed to have evidence to support/defend my ranking.  Ms. Keltham was very very thourough.  When she said it would take 90 minutes, she wasn't kidding.  It acutally ended up taking longer than that.  She went over each and every point in detail.  Asking for evidence, how I meet that goal, what I would give myself, what Andrea would give, how I can improve for next year, and finally her mark.  Very intense!  After about 40 minutes we had gotten standard 1 finished and modeera was requested in the theater so we could eat lunch.  I kindly suggested that she go to the theater and we could finish later.  I thought it would be later in the afternoon, but it turned out to be Thursday. 

As I was walking back to the LT room, Moza said تعالي سارة (ta'allee Sara - Come on Sara) and dragged me into the staff room.  There was singing and dancing and cake.  The Arabic teachers said it was a party for me since I was finished!  How sweet!  We celebrated for a little and I did a little, really only a little, dancing and had some cake.  It was fun and also very sweet of them to do that.  I explained to them that I wasn't finished and there were gasps of horror.  They made me tell them what was happening and what modeera and I were talking about and who was doing the talking.  So I spent some time going over with them what the process was.  They were shocked!  And, I have to admit, so was I! After the impromptu party, I went and got my hair done.  I guess I should have prepared since I knew what she wanted, but I figured the only way I could truly be prepared would be to type up my response for every point and read it to her.   I didn't think she would like that so I just reread the points and tried to focus on the evidence I had and how I was going to prove that I met each of the goals. 

So we finished Thursday.  We only disagreed on one point; critical thinking.  Her definition and my definition are two different things.  She wants the students to initiate critical thinking.  OK I agree that they should, they just aren't there yet.  They need the foundation and that is me asking them the critical thinking questions.  She didn't like that and wanted to give me a 1.  I would not let her give me a 1.  I am not a 1 teacher.  We finally agreed on a 1 3/4; closer to a 2.  Once I put aside all the stress, I guess this is a good way to evaluate teachers and get them to self reflect.  There are a lot of things that I will change for next year.  It wasn't all that bad and I ended up getting mostly 3s and a few 2s (out of 4).  Not bad; it's just that the whole process was very stressful and exhausting.  I am glad I am finished!

Side note about Thursday.  We had a whole day of health today.  No teaching.  It was very different.  The girls made posters and did little skits about being clean and eating healthy.  It was only supposed to be periods 1-3, but it lasted until the end of the day.  Maybe a little too long, but I didn't have to do any teaching so I shouldn't complain.  Other than the fact that I have so much to do!

The stress is over and I am going to Dubai tomorrow!  Should be fun and a nice way to relax after such an exhausting week.  I am really not looking for anything other than shoes.   We'll see what happens!

Happy Easter!