Oops I did it again. Last year I was observed four times by my principal and assistant principal. In NYC we get to choose from a small menu of options outlining when and how we can be officially observed. My administration suggested that we choose three informal and one formal observation. For the informals they can come in at any time and stay for about 15 minutes. For the formal, you know when they’re coming and you meet with them before the observation to review the lesson you are going to teach. Observations have always been a thing but, before Charlotte Danielson came into our lives, months and months (and sometimes an entire school year) could go by without an admin stepping foot in your room. Those days are over. And that’s OK. We all want to get better at what we do, right? If used properly, these observations to be a really powerful tool to improve practice. At least that’s what I tell myself every time they walk in the room...