Observation/favour - Wwyd?

[susannahmoodie]

I am a secondary English teacher and I am returning from mat leave next week.

My colleague, who is also a good friend, has asked me if I wouldn't mind being observed on Friday (my 4th day back) with a y7 class. Apparently she has organised a visitor from a primary feeder to come in and see some y7 work and to discuss teaching L6 at primary. She wants me to 'have a chat' with him and allow him to come in to my y7 lesson. She will be out of school, and a colleague who was asked originally has apparently changed her mind so she's in a bit of a pickle.

I'm a bit uneasy about it. It will be my 3rd (and penultimate!) lesson with this group, I might not even know all their names yet. The colleague is not my line manager, but does have a tlr for literacy. I would have always done favours for her in the past as we have worked v closely together, and I don't expect special allowances to be made for me just because I've been off but I do feel this is asking a bit much!

It's complicated by the fact that she is my friend and she has just told me one of her close relatives is very ill.

Wwyd?

[noblegiraffe]

I was observed on returning from maternity leave with a Y7 class, about my third lesson with them too, a teacher from another school wanting ideas. Almost the same situation!

It was fine. It wasn't a graded observation or anything so no pressure in that respect.

I didn't know the kids names but I did have a seating plan to refer to.

[toomuchicecream]

As long as the primary teacher knows the context in advance it will be fine. I'm sure they'll be happy you've made the time to make it happen.

[Justtoobad]

Go for it, you'll be fine.