Observing other teachers

Learning from other teachers is an important means of professional development. Here are some suggestions for observing successful teachers in your school, in other schools, and on the web.

By Kathleen Casson

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A good teacher is always becoming a better teacher. One of the most powerful ways to do this is to observe other teachers. You should observe teachers who teach your grade level or subject. You should watch those you have heard are “good” teachers. And you should look to learn from experienced teachers. But you can also learn from teachers who teach outside of your area, from teachers with less-than-perfect practice, and from other new teachers. Even if you have to leave a stack of ungraded papers to visit another class in your one free half-hour of the day, it should be one of your highest priorities. You will learn something every time you do it.

Observing within your school

The easiest way to see other teachers at work is within your school. Your school might already have a system set up to allow you to do this. Your administration might even arrange for a substitute and suggest which teachers you should observe. But even if you aren’t so lucky, you can usually arrange it yourself. Just ask! You might ask your mentor or principal whose class it might be good to watch, or you can just go to someone you would like to observe and ask. More often than not, teachers will be more than happy to welcome you into their classrooms.

You can use this practice of observation to learn more about particular instructional styles, class types or students. For instance, if you are interested in doing more group work with your class, but have felt nervous about it, ask around and find out who does a lot of group work and arrange to see a lesson that uses groups. If you have an especially large or small class, observe one like it. If you are having difficulty relating to a particular student, ask to observe a teacher that seems to have success with that student. And of course, if you know of a teacher whose style you admire, you should ask to observe him or her.

Observing in other schools

This can often be arranged, especially if you are the only one who teaches a particular subject at your school. It usually requires missing more than a single planning period, unless another school is very close or has a much later afternoon schedule than your school. Ask your principal if she or he could help with this. If not, it might be worth using a professional leave day to do so.