Happy Teaching with CLASS Thursday,
Have you heard about CLASS Observations and are curious what they are all about? Maybe you have an upcoming observation this year and you are nervous about how to prepare. In this episode, we are joined by an experienced CLASS Observer, @Marnetta Larrimer TS, who helps us understand what to expect during a CLASS observation.
While this episode is specifically about CLASS Observations, there is so much good information about how to improve the interactions with the children in your classroom! Even if you don't have plans to be observed, I highly recommend giving it a listen.
My personal favorite part of the episode was when Kate asked Marnetta "What would you say to encourage a teacher in the field?" I will share Marnetta's response below, but I really want to hear your responses!
Please share below what you would say to encourage another teacher - we could all use some encouragement sometimes, and maybe this can be a place we can all come back to when we need a pick-me-up.
I can't wait to hear from you.Do you want some notes to go along with all of the great information from this episode? Be sure to download the attached episode document! It's a great resource to look back on when you need a quick refresher, but don't have time to listen to the episode right at that moment.
Best,
Allison
Here's Marnetta's response, I hope it encourages you all today.
"You are right where you are supposed to be. You're the professional. No one knows your Classroom or your children any better than you do. You know all of their secrets, how to get to them, how to motivate them, and there's power in that. You really drive what happens in that Classroom.
Remember that little people are very able and you can facilitate without dictating. Sometimes we think because things have to go a certain way to be right, but they can't learn if they don't take on those things. If it's September, and you're still leading circle time, you don't need to. They can do it without you because you do it every day. They see you do it all the time, so give them those opportunities to lead, so that way, you don't have to do as much leading and can put your energy into other things that may need more of your attention in the Classroom.
Trust yourself to know that you know best, you know how to do this, you know how to teach. You can do it and everything takes time to grow. Even the most effective teacher still has areas for improvement. We all have growing to do. There's never an end to the work that we do as children develop, grow, and learn - and what we know about them changes too.
We're always evolving. You have to be comfortable with knowing that you're never going to be perfect, but you're absolutely perfect for the students that you're taking care of. Be easy on yourself. Be gentle. Be kind. Be ready to learn and share that learning with your kids."
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Allison Bloomfield
Charlottesville VA
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