What to Expect During an Observation
Classroom observations are a normal part of professional life in schools. They are designed to support your growth as an educator -- not to grade or evaluate you in a pass/fail sense. Here is what the process looks like from start to finish.
Before the Observation
Your school may schedule observations in advance, and you may receive an email notification before your scheduled visit. The notification includes details like:
The date and time of the observation
Who will be observing you (your coach, principal, or another observer)
The observation form being used
Preparation tips from your school
You can also check your Home page in Aprenta to see upcoming observations listed under Upcoming Scheduled Observations. If an observation appears there without a specific date, it means it has been planned but not yet scheduled for a particular day.
Not all observations are announced ahead of time. Some schools conduct informal drop-in observations as part of their regular practice. Either way, the process is the same.
During the Observation
Here is what typically happens when an observer visits your classroom:
The observer arrives -- Your coach, principal, or another designated observer enters your classroom. They may sit in the back, stand to the side, or move around the room depending on the observation style.
They use a device -- The observer uses Aprenta on a laptop, tablet, or phone to fill out a structured observation form. You may see them typing notes, tapping responses, or looking between you and their screen.
They collect structured feedback -- The form guides the observer through specific areas to focus on. Depending on the form your school uses, they might be noting instructional strategies, student engagement levels, classroom environment, questioning techniques, or other teaching practices.
It is not a test -- Observations are a tool for professional development. The goal is to give you constructive, growth-oriented feedback that helps you refine your practice. Think of it as a coaching conversation that starts with a classroom visit.
Teach naturally -- The best thing you can do is proceed with your planned lesson as you normally would. Authentic teaching is exactly what observers want to see.
Observations can vary in length. Some are brief 10-15 minute drop-ins, while others may last an entire class period. Your administrator or observer can let you know what to expect.
What the Observer Records
The observer fills out a structured form that may include different types of feedback:
Rating scales -- Scoring specific teaching practices on a defined scale
Multiple choice questions -- Selecting from options that describe what was observed
Written notes -- Detailed comments about your lesson, strategies, or classroom environment
Counters -- Tallies of specific behaviors or interactions, like the number of times students were called on or how many transitions occurred
Timers -- Duration tracking for activities like transitions, independent work time, or group discussions
Checklists -- Whether specific practices or elements were present during the lesson
After the Observation
Once the observer finishes:
The observation appears in your My Observations list on your Home page
While the observation status shows Open, the observer may still be adding notes or finalizing their responses
When the observer marks the observation as Closed, the feedback is complete
You can open the observation to review all the feedback, ratings, and notes
Your administrator or observer may schedule a follow-up conversation to discuss the results together
Tips for a Successful Observation
Prepare your lesson -- Have a clear plan for what you are teaching and why
Set up your space -- Make sure your classroom is organized with materials and resources ready
Engage your students -- Focus on active participation and meaningful interactions
Be yourself -- Trying to put on a show is less helpful than teaching the way you normally do
Welcome feedback -- Approach the follow-up conversation as a chance to grow, and ask clarifying questions about anything in the feedback you want to better understand