All Things CLASS

I would like to know why the observers for Teachstone do not have to schedule a day for their observations.  I did my due diligence by blocking a week off for ALL observations to be done so my teachers know not be out that week.  I have my local observations scheduled for certain days that week.  I had a teachstone observer come on Monday to observe my PreK and that worked out because my local ones are scheduled for later in the week.  BUT......I had a teachstone observer come this morning to observe my infant room and I already had a local observation scheduled and she was already in the process of doing her observation.  Why is it they cannot give me a date that they will be here to make sure it does not interfere with my schedule?  I understand why they are here; to make sure that our local observers are observing correctly and that all publicly funded centers have to have them done by Teachstone.  BUT....why can it not be scheduled for a specific date?  I had no idea who was in my center or who was coming to my center.  I think that is rude.  I am here to protect these kids and I do not let just anyone in my center.  I do not mind the observations being done, I think it is a good thing. It shows us where we can improve and what we need to work on and I am all for that. BUT....why not schedule these things so that it is not double booked or you just show up and I do not know who is in my center.  They give you 3 weeks and only let you black out 3 days in those three weeks, that is not fair to us.  You are with the DOE but you are not my state licensure person or anyone that is allowed to just walk in my center. These things should be scheduled for a certain date and we should have the names of the observers to know who, what, where, and how.  It would be just a common courtesy.     

Hi Alison, 

I checked in with the team here at Teachstone who are more familiar with the VQB5 observations, and they said I could share this with you! I hope this helps.

Hi Alison,

Thank you for your message. We appreciate you reaching out with these questions and concerns about VQB5 external observations, and we want to provide information that will help address these for you.The VDOE External Observation Requirements on the VQB5 external observations in Virginia webpage is a great resource for these types of questions and concerns. We would encourage you to review sections A.3 (notification of external observations) and A.2 (external observation window and blackout dates) on page 4 of the External Observation Requirements for more information on the protocols that have been established by the VDOE.If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out directly to VDOE at vqb5@doe.virginia.gov.

All best,
The VQB5 External Observations Team at Teachstone

I honestly think we are looking for spontaneity and an authentic classroom experience. 

When I observe, teaching teams know the month and many are aware that I prefer to observe early in the month so I fit all my observations in on time--with wiggle room for absences.

The idea is that the observation time should not be staged.

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Susan Hinman Waldman
Practice Based Coach
Communities United Inc.
Lexington, MA
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