Observation and Conference Protocols

After a teacher candidate schedules a formal observation with the assigned clinical faculty, the candidate will use the expectations below to prepare for the observation and conference. Clinical faculty or cooperating teachers may make some modifications to meet individual needs, schedules or school contexts.

Written Lesson Plans

Teacher candidates will:

• Email lesson plans to Clinical Faculty observer in advance (at least 2 days).
• Have a printed copy available at the observation.
• Have printed copies of the unit plan and other lessons available at the observation in the Field Notebook.
• Clearly indicate three (3) PPA Standards for the observer to particularly note evidence and evaluate.
• Invite and encourage the cooperating teacher to participate in the observation and conference. If the cooperating teacher cannot attend, he/she should be encouraged to read the notes and to contact the clinical faculty with any questions, comments, or concerns.

During Observations

The observer will use triplicate paper to take notes during the observation and will focus on evidence of Student Learning. Observers often walk around and interact with students if they are working individually or in small groups.

Post-Observation Conference

The clinical faculty will use the Observation and Conference Record. The observer will note the PPA Standards selected by the teacher candidate from his/her lesson plan and evaluate (+ - Exceeding Standards; / - Meeting Standards; . - Not Meeting Standards)
The observer will place the following headings on the observation form:

• Expected Student Learning
• Actions/strategies that promoted student learning
• Evidence of student learning
• Suggestions/Goals

The teacher candidate will be asked to reflect on these categories either before or during the conference conversation. Teacher candidates are often asked to reflect in writing prior to the conference to allow both parties to gather their thoughts. Observers will record the main points of the conference (bullets work well), so that candidates will have immediate feedback and can remember the conversation. Teacher candidates will be given the white copy of the notes and the record of the conference. Both candidate and observer must sign at the bottom of the form to document the observation and conference. Observation and conference notes are placed in a teacher candidates file but are never shared in any way with potential employers.

During the conference, teacher candidates will usually be asked the questions below unless a situation calls for modifications. Either the candidate or the observer might ask for on-the-spot revisions. The questions below are meant to guide the candidate's focus on student learning and are not meant to be exclusive.

• How did the lesson go? Or how did teaching feel today?
• What did you expect students to learn?
• What evidence (refer to evidence as often as possible) do you have that the students did, or did not, learn?
• What did you do that promoted learning? (such as strategies and communications)
• What changes would you want to make?
• What support do you need to make changes? 
• When/how can you implement your changes?
• How are conferences helpful and do you have any needs or suggestions?

The clinical faculty should meet or check-in with the cooperating teacher, at least briefly. If the cooperating teacher is absent, the teacher candidate should share the observation and conference notes with him/her.