All Things CLASS

I have been using CLASS for several years now. I do not have a complete handle on it because I'm still stuck in my old school ways. That being said, I only got mid range scores this time. Part of this was due to a para that did not smile, ask questions, or generally help at all. I asked for some type of training for her because she is a new hire. She received none. After the observation, I was called into the office and tore apart by my principal. This is my question-Is the CLASS observation a tool for an administrator to beat up on a teacher and make them feel lower than low? This is the principal, not the observer. I was told that she was ashamed of me, disappointed in me, that I should have trained my para better, and on and on. This also is a para that she absolutely refused to hire last year because she was not very effective as a substitute. Only hired this year because she was desperate for a hire. I was made to feel so bad thatI cried all day at school yesterday and part of today. I truly did not want to return to work this morning. I feel like the absolute worst teacher ever.

I have been using CLASS for several years now. I do not have a complete handle on it because I'm still stuck in my old school ways. That being said, I only got mid range scores this time. Part of this was due to a para that did not smile, ask questions, or generally help at all. I asked for some type of training for her because she is a new hire. She received none. After the observation, I was called into the office and tore apart by my principal. This is my question-Is the CLASS observation a tool for an administrator to beat up on a teacher and make them feel lower than low? This is the principal, not the observer. I was told that she was ashamed of me, disappointed in me, that I should have trained my para better, and on and on. This also is a para that she absolutely refused to hire last year because she was not very effective as a substitute. Only hired this year because she was desperate for a hire. I was made to feel so bad thatI cried all day at school yesterday and part of today. I truly did not want to return to work this morning. I feel like the absolute worst teacher ever.

Dear Educator,

I am so very sorry you were treated this way. Hugs!! That was completely unacceptable and highly unprofessional. Is this principal always like this or was it an "off day"? Regardless, you are a person with feelings and should not be subjected to that. I would sit down this weekend, and with a clear head, document all the times you have attempted to guide your assistant. Leave feelings out, just be factual. Briefly describe what you have attempted, if they were responsive, any concerns noted, etc. Try to list the date, time, the activity/location and who was present. Next week, request a meeting with your principal. As hard as it will be, try to leave emotions out. Tell them you did not appreciate being spoken to in a degrading manner and from here on out, all conversations need to be factual and need to provide supportive and constructive feedback. Provide a COPY of your documentation of your efforts in your classroom with the assistant. Then ask the principal how they are going to positively support you, the assistant and the students in the classroom for the remainder of the year. Put it back on the principal; training an assistant is not your responsibility, it is that of HR or another designated person. Bring a paper & pen so you can jot down notes of the conversation. Within the next 24hrs, send a recap email to the principal, highlighting the main points you both discussed. You want a paper trail!

As hard as it may be, go back into the classroom and do your best that you can. You are there for the children and they need a strong, compassionate educator. CLASS Observation is one snippet of your teaching and guiding. Use it as a resource, but do not let it define you. You know your strengths and know you are making a difference so don't lose sight of that. 

Are you in a school district? If so, I would check to see if they have a teacher's union and join it ASAP. The rep can attend meetings with you. If you do not have a union, try to find a neutral co-worker to sit in on meetings with you. I hope you have a much better week and that peace finds you soon. 

I have been using CLASS for several years now. I do not have a complete handle on it because I'm still stuck in my old school ways. That being said, I only got mid range scores this time. Part of this was due to a para that did not smile, ask questions, or generally help at all. I asked for some type of training for her because she is a new hire. She received none. After the observation, I was called into the office and tore apart by my principal. This is my question-Is the CLASS observation a tool for an administrator to beat up on a teacher and make them feel lower than low? This is the principal, not the observer. I was told that she was ashamed of me, disappointed in me, that I should have trained my para better, and on and on. This also is a para that she absolutely refused to hire last year because she was not very effective as a substitute. Only hired this year because she was desperate for a hire. I was made to feel so bad thatI cried all day at school yesterday and part of today. I truly did not want to return to work this morning. I feel like the absolute worst teacher ever.

I have been using CLASS for several years now. I do not have a complete handle on it because I'm still stuck in my old school ways. That being said, I only got mid range scores this time. Part of this was due to a para that did not smile, ask questions, or generally help at all. I asked for some type of training for her because she is a new hire. She received none. After the observation, I was called into the office and tore apart by my principal. This is my question-Is the CLASS observation a tool for an administrator to beat up on a teacher and make them feel lower than low? This is the principal, not the observer. I was told that she was ashamed of me, disappointed in me, that I should have trained my para better, and on and on. This also is a para that she absolutely refused to hire last year because she was not very effective as a substitute. Only hired this year because she was desperate for a hire. I was made to feel so bad thatI cried all day at school yesterday and part of today. I truly did not want to return to work this morning. I feel like the absolute worst teacher ever.

I have been using CLASS for several years now. I do not have a complete handle on it because I'm still stuck in my old school ways. That being said, I only got mid range scores this time. Part of this was due to a para that did not smile, ask questions, or generally help at all. I asked for some type of training for her because she is a new hire. She received none. After the observation, I was called into the office and tore apart by my principal. This is my question-Is the CLASS observation a tool for an administrator to beat up on a teacher and make them feel lower than low? This is the principal, not the observer. I was told that she was ashamed of me, disappointed in me, that I should have trained my para better, and on and on. This also is a para that she absolutely refused to hire last year because she was not very effective as a substitute. Only hired this year because she was desperate for a hire. I was made to feel so bad thatI cried all day at school yesterday and part of today. I truly did not want to return to work this morning. I feel like the absolute worst teacher ever.

I have been using CLASS for several years now. I do not have a complete handle on it because I'm still stuck in my old school ways. That being said, I only got mid range scores this time. Part of this was due to a para that did not smile, ask questions, or generally help at all. I asked for some type of training for her because she is a new hire. She received none. After the observation, I was called into the office and tore apart by my principal. This is my question-Is the CLASS observation a tool for an administrator to beat up on a teacher and make them feel lower than low? This is the principal, not the observer. I was told that she was ashamed of me, disappointed in me, that I should have trained my para better, and on and on. This also is a para that she absolutely refused to hire last year because she was not very effective as a substitute. Only hired this year because she was desperate for a hire. I was made to feel so bad thatI cried all day at school yesterday and part of today. I truly did not want to return to work this morning. I feel like the absolute worst teacher ever.

First of all, any job in which you feel degraded, not appreciated, and disrespected I would leave!!! I refuse to work in that type of environment, in which there is no support for the staff or tool/resources available to help them build! Tell the principal to bring their tail in the classroom and show you how the class should be handled during a CLASS Observation. Next, let them know you need help, go above the principal! Tell them you need the help and report the principal to HR, let them know the principal is rude, unprofessional and talking disrespectfully to you. 

I have been using CLASS for several years now. I do not have a complete handle on it because I'm still stuck in my old school ways. That being said, I only got mid range scores this time. Part of this was due to a para that did not smile, ask questions, or generally help at all. I asked for some type of training for her because she is a new hire. She received none. After the observation, I was called into the office and tore apart by my principal. This is my question-Is the CLASS observation a tool for an administrator to beat up on a teacher and make them feel lower than low? This is the principal, not the observer. I was told that she was ashamed of me, disappointed in me, that I should have trained my para better, and on and on. This also is a para that she absolutely refused to hire last year because she was not very effective as a substitute. Only hired this year because she was desperate for a hire. I was made to feel so bad thatI cried all day at school yesterday and part of today. I truly did not want to return to work this morning. I feel like the absolute worst teacher ever.

I have been using CLASS for several years now. I do not have a complete handle on it because I'm still stuck in my old school ways. That being said, I only got mid range scores this time. Part of this was due to a para that did not smile, ask questions, or generally help at all. I asked for some type of training for her because she is a new hire. She received none. After the observation, I was called into the office and tore apart by my principal. This is my question-Is the CLASS observation a tool for an administrator to beat up on a teacher and make them feel lower than low? This is the principal, not the observer. I was told that she was ashamed of me, disappointed in me, that I should have trained my para better, and on and on. This also is a para that she absolutely refused to hire last year because she was not very effective as a substitute. Only hired this year because she was desperate for a hire. I was made to feel so bad thatI cried all day at school yesterday and part of today. I truly did not want to return to work this morning. I feel like the absolute worst teacher ever.