As a principal, you will be responsible for observing and evaluating special education teachers. This process will include pre-conferences, observations, and feedback. To maximize effectiveness, this process must be collaborative, clear, and complete.
Allocate at least 1 hour in the field to support this field experience.
In collaboration with your principal mentor, attend a pre-conference and formal observation of a special education teacher. With your principal mentor, collaboratively reflect upon the teacher’s performance including agreed upon ideas for enhancing instructional delivery and student learning outcomes. Discuss how feedback would be delivered in a post-observation conference. In addition, examine the formal evaluation tool, policies regarding how the tool is administered, how ratings are assigned, how and with whom results are shared, and what happens with the results? Are any of these different for a special education teacher compared to the general educator?
Use any time remaining from this field experience assignment to assist the principal mentor and, provided permission, seek opportunities to observe and/or assist the principal mentor.
Summarize your experience collaborating with your mentor to provide post-observation feedback in a 250-500 word reflection. Include an examination of the formal evaluation tool, policies regarding the tool, ratings, and results. Incorporate PSEL Standard 5 into your reflection and describe how you will apply what you have learned to your future professional practice.
