Opinion
Professional Development Opinion

Peer Observation and the Novice Teacher: What You See Is What You Get

March 25, 2019 2 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

While on safari with NEAF Global Fellows in South Africa, our guide suddenly stopped the truck and jumped out. There on the edge of the dirt road, unnoticed by any of us, he identified an impression left earlier by a zebra. Amazed, we listened intently as our guide explained the zebra’s intentions while rolling in the dirt and indicated the tracks leading to and from the area.

Our guide’s university background and years of experience afforded us much more than a simple view of animals in the refuge that day; he taught us about their social behaviors, instincts, and movement patterns. While the views on safari were spectacular, it was our guide’s expertise that deepened our appreciation of South Africa’s animals.

What Do Novice Teachers Learn from Unguided Observations?

Novice teachers are often on safari in classrooms hoping to spy best practices and learn from veteran colleagues. Unfortunately, the limitations of these observations are compounded when teachers observe solo. All too often, well-meaning administrators suggest new teachers watch more experienced teachers to see mastery in action. But new teachers, with their lack of experience and pedagogical understanding, are not always able to identify nuances of effective teaching and then successfully implement new strategies. On a solo safari, what new teachers see is literally what they get.

Guided Observations as Collaborative Reflective Practice

The routine of sending novice teachers on unguided observations should be considered malpractice. In a profession requiring certification, collaborative attempts at reflective practice are an essential part of induction. In fact, job-embedded learning opportunities such as guided observations offer benefits to both the novice and veteran.

As both teachers consider the instructional approaches during a live lesson or video, they engage in shared perspectives, critical thinking, and analysis of practice. Follow-up feedback on new instructional attempts allows further improvement of practice by both teachers.

In a study by NNSTOY, master teachers who guide new colleagues were found to experience greater self-efficacy in their teacher leadership roles. This, in turn, has a positive effect on retention (Remijan, 2014), and can also encourage a rich culture of observation in the school.

Instructional coaches and mentors often describe a new teacher’s lack of experience by saying, “They don’t know what they don’t know.” Why then would we expect a new teacher to identify best practices with an untrained eye? In the same way we champion the effects of personalized learning for students, our efforts to personalize observations will increase the learning and skill development of our newest teachers.

Without the guidance of a master teacher, what a new teacher sees may literally be all he or she gets.

Allison Riddle is the 2014 Utah Teacher of the Year and a member of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY). She is the Elementary Mentor Supervisor for Davis District in Northern Utah.

Photo Credit: Allison Riddle

The National Network of State Teachers of the Year believes expert teachers will lead the way to a more equitable and exceptional future for all kids. Do you agree?

Then help ensure that great teacher voices keep coming your way by donating to NNSTOY now. Donate Now

Related Tags:

The opinions expressed in Teacher-Leader Voices are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

Events

Ed-Tech Policy Webinar Artificial Intelligence in Practice: Building a Roadmap for AI Use in Schools
AI in education: game-changer or classroom chaos? Join our webinar & learn how to navigate this evolving tech responsibly.
Education Webinar Developing and Executing Impactful Research Campaigns to Fuel Your Ed Marketing Strategy 
Develop impactful research campaigns to fuel your marketing. Join the EdWeek Research Center for a webinar with actionable take-aways for companies who sell to K-12 districts.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Privacy & Security Webinar
Navigating Cybersecurity: Securing District Documents and Data
Learn how K-12 districts are addressing the challenges of maintaining a secure tech environment, managing documents and data, automating critical processes, and doing it all with limited resources.
Content provided by Softdocs

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Professional Development Coming Soon: PD Mega Event From ISTE/ASCD
Bringing the two events to the same venue is a huge step.
2 min read
Attendees walk around the expo hall, where technology companies showcase their products, at the 2022 International Society for Technology in Education conference in New Orleans on June 28.
Attendees walk around the expo hall where technology companies showcased their products at the International Society for Technology in Education conference in New Orleans on June 28, 2022.
Lauraine Langreo/Education Week
Professional Development From Our Research Center Teachers Desperately Need AI Training. How Many Are Getting It?
Teachers' lack of AI knowledge and support hinders their use of the technology.
2 min read
Illustration of AI and classroom tools.
Anna Frajtova/iStock/Getty
Professional Development Opinion Are Your Staff Meetings Unfocused and Disjointed? Try These 5 Strategies
Too often, staff meetings do not focus on learning, which is a lost opportunity. Here's how to make them more meaningful.
Michael Nelson & Peter DeWitt
6 min read
Screen Shot 2024 02 18 at 4.01.50 PM
Canva
Professional Development Spotlight Spotlight on The Importance of PD and Growth Opportunities for Teachers
This Spotlight will help you with the ins and outs of effective PD, the types of PD that teachers want, and more.