Sad. I have felt the same way as Ms. Stacy. While I haven't had the chancellor come and visit, I've had other "dignitaries" drop by my classroom when the children were reading or writing independently. I could tell they were thoroughly unimpressed. They wanted to see some dog and pony show. These "dignataries" haven't quite figured out that teaching can not revolve around their whims and schedules. My kids (early elementary) have routines. I won't change them for these jokers.
I was taught by administrators a long, long time ago never change what you are doing in midstream just to impress an administrator. Another teacher, not me, was supposed to be observed but the principal didn't come on time and the lesson had finished. She was about to bathroom the kids, which was her usual routine, but when the principal came in, she tried to get the kids to sit down and resume the lesson she had finished. The kids didn't respond well. He later told the teacher that she should have kept to the transition.
So unless you are prepared for the dog and pony show, keep doing what you are doing. If the powers that be are not impressed, the hell with them.
That is why certain teachers are usually selected to be observed prior to a special visit because the principal wants the "show".
If this is a true story, then I'm all for it. A+ good sir ...
dog & pony shows belong at the County Fair or the floors of Congress...not in the classroom.
Waste of time...
I agree. The Westminster Kennel show was on for two consecutive days last week. Administrators must know that kids have to pee, right?
We had a dog and pony show a few weeks ago, and they kept STRESSING not to show movies, but I teach film criticism. So screw them. I showed "life is Beautiful" as scheduled.
My kids are starting poetry now, and I'm trying to get it into their heads that poetry requires you to be deeply in touch with yourself and your own thoughts--i.e. it requires quiet and NOT consulting with your friends every 30 seconds. I'm thinking about putting the desks in--wait for it!--ROWS to help reinforce the idea.
Dog and pony shows be damned!
I actually like the semicircle, and one of the very few things this administration did for the better was allow me to use it when I like. Personally, I think if rows work better for you, for whatever reason, you ought to be able to do that too.
This is a nice post. I think this "dog & pony shows' are just confusing children. Adults, specially educators should learn when and when not to criticize a child.
Commenting by HaloScan
