The observer’s dilemma

There is a moment I have come to treasure in my work as an observer. It does not happen during the lesson itself or even during the feedback conversation that follows. It happens when a teacher comes to me and says: ‘Could you come and watch me teach?’ When that happens, I feel like I have actually done my job.

That said, these moments are rare. And the reason for that, in my humble opinion, is that for some teachers being observed still feels like anything but an opportunity. Despite everything we say about developmental feedback, about observation as professional . . .

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Lucas Manente
Lucas Manente
Lucas Manente is a teacher, teacher trainer and director of studies based in Rome. He is a lifelong learner on the constant lookout for innovative and techno-friendly approaches aimed at helping teachers in the classroom. Furthermore, professional development has always been his biggest concern. For that reason, he constantly promotes and investigates new ways to encourage a stronger CPD culture where he works. He holds a BA in Languages and Linguistics and an MA in Educational Human Resources. More recently, Lucas received a distinction for his dissertation on the trainer development course run by the Norwich Institute for Language Education (NILE).