Q.
âAs a new principal, is it OK for me to visit classrooms informally just to see whatâs going on?
A.
Absolutely! Visiting classrooms is a great way to get to know teachers and kids and to see whatâs happening in the school on a daily basis. However, you should be aware of some basic guidelines so that teachers will welcome your visit and not see it as an intrusion.
- Enter the room quietly and take a seat or stand in the back of the room. Do not interrupt the class and do not participate unless the teacher invites you to. If students are working at their desks, do not walk up and down the rows to look at their work. Thatâs the teacherâs job.
- Smile.
- Stay for just a few minutes. This is just an opportunity to see whatâs going on and to show your interest.
- If you happen to catch something great in the classroom, itâs OK to leave a quick positive note in the teacherâs mailbox (but itâs not necessary).
- If you happen to see a lesson that isnât so great, just move on. This isnât a formal observation. I once knew a principal who would leave critical notes in teachersâ mailboxes after a drop-in. He folded the notes in half and propped them up so they looked like little tents. Teachers referred to this practice as âgetting tented.â Needless to say, his drop-ins were not greeted with enthusiasm.
- Spend some time in the halls as well as the classroom. That way, if a teacher has a quick question or something she wants to tell you, youâre available.
- Get out of your office and into the school as much as possible. Teachers love it when administrators are visible. I know thereâs a lot going on at the beginning of the day. But spending 5-10 minutes in the halls when kids are entering goes a long way towards establishing your presence in the building.
- Take your phone or a small notebook with you to take notes. This will help you remember teachersâ questions or information when you get back to your office.
- Visit different classrooms at different times of the day.
- Smile.
Donât be surprised if when you first start to visit classrooms informally, teachers stop everything and ask if thereâs something you need. But once they become accustomed to seeing you, some teachers will even invite you to drop in on special activities. Being visible in classrooms and halls sends a strong message that you are interested in whatâs going on and that you are accessible.
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