The Power of Observations and Feedback: "It's a Group Thing!"

Observations and feedback... enough said right? I'm sure as a fellow educator you're half tempted to scroll by this post, cringing at the mere mentioning of it. Today I want us to reframe our thinking of observations and feedback based on what I learned from a recent webinar. 

We know as educators that providing our students with feedback on an essay will help them to see where they made an error, and more importantly,  grow as learners. One of the sentences that stood to me in this recent webinar was "the same goes for adults!" Sure we are given feedback on our observation forms. We are used to this for sure, however, when is the last time you received feedback from a peer who is on your grade-level team. Or the the fourth grade teacher who provides feedback to a teacher on the first grade team. There are many possibilities when it comes to peer observations and feedback. 

The point is to not make teachers feel nervous that yet another person has come in to observe, but rather provide an opportunity for educators to learn from one another and to learn to appreciate the work of that teacher in that grade or subject area. I myself admit that I'm not fully aware what my colleagues in the fourth grade are covering, and it would be fascinating to watch the Kindergarten teachers more closely so I can learn more about how they are teaching the essential foundational skills my first graders are expected to have in the beginning of the year. 

In the webinar, another true statement was made; we know that our students need feedback in in various ways according to their learning styles and interests, so why are we not providing the same for our teachers and their needs? Well said! One of the ways that I prefer to learn is by watching others model and demonstrate. I know the value in seeing what other strategies teachers are using and watching their creativity as it soars through the lesson.  

Let's embrace the power in observing each other and providing meaningful feedback, if we are given the opportunity to learn through each other this way. I also take a special moment here to appeal to my administrators out there to let us have these experiences as well! 

Final thoughts: Keep an open mind about participating in observations with peers. Keep viewing this and the feedback as a positive opportunity. Keep the open discussions with administrators ongoing about the value in our work being shared with others. Keep trying to find time to watch another colleague, and keep finding those learning moments within this time. It's something that has more value than we take credit for, so let's make it happen!