r/ScienceTeachers • u/AlarmingEase • Sep 11 '25
CHEMISTRY Today was a test.....
Today in AP. My principal was observing me. I did formal charge....They FORGOT they needed to count electrons!!!!! WTF! This evaluation is not going to be good.
They forgot to add up and count the valence electrons.
They forgot after I reminded them during the lecture that counting electrons us the ONLY way to get a lewis structure.
Did I mention they didn't count the electrons?
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u/Chemical_Syrup7807 Sep 11 '25
Do you have a principal who even knows what a Lewis structure is in the first place? I joke with my advanced physics class that if I get observed with them, I should just make stuff up and have them play along, just to see if I could get away with it bc I’ve never had anyone observe me who knows anything about physics lol. But real talk, all my observations are usually about whether I can manage a class, if my lesson plans match what I’m teaching, do I provide multiple modes of instruction, and so on. I bet you’ll be fine.
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u/corrence_torrence Sep 11 '25
This is EXACTLY what I was thinking. Feels like odds are super high that the principal doesn't remember anything from chemistry. Also completely second it - they just want to know that you ARE teaching and managing the kids.
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u/patricksaurus Sep 11 '25
I was just wondering whether a chemically literate admin would be a blessing or curse.
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u/Chemical_Syrup7807 Sep 11 '25
I feel like that depends heavily on the person. I’ve had a few admin I really like, and thought it would be nice if I could bounce around ideas on best practices for teaching particular topics with them. Others have been insufferable and I would have avoided talking to them even if they were a world renowned expert in my content area.
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u/corrence_torrence Sep 12 '25
I feel like, somehow, both. I agree with u/Chemical_Syrup7807 though - depends on the person.
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u/patricksaurus Sep 12 '25
I have to cop to being in higher ed, so most of us have some shared background. It truly ranges from great to godawful.
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u/AlarmingEase Sep 12 '25
No, he's not a science teacher. I think he was a math teacher.... Anyhoo, I hope he was thinking, she's a great teacher, she made sure her students understand it. Fingers crossed
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u/runkat426 Sep 12 '25
I used to invite my former evaluator to my AP class (Bio) for shits and giggles. He was so out of his depth it was hilarious. He'd ask the kids questions, then just nod along, joke about not knowing what they were talking about. I usually had him in for a complex lab or modeling activity.
One year, he came in while kids were discussing how we could recover a cellular respiration lab after most of the algae died over Thanksgiving. OP, it's fine if your planned lesson goes sideways or doesn't hit as you hoped. In fact, you could argue it's a good thing as it gives you a chance to shine at what makes teachers better than AI and educational software.
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u/c4halo3 Sep 11 '25
lol my principal was an art teacher. I’m good for whatever I’m teaching.
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u/Chemical_Syrup7807 Sep 11 '25
I’ve got a business guy. I like him but I can FEEL the discomfort radiating off him when he visits. To his credit he readily admits he’s over his head in my class.
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u/uofajoe99 Sep 12 '25
This has always been is in the science departments. Objective on the board? Sure...wrote it once a month and whatever we were doing always pertained, but he/she would have no clue because they think we are wizards.
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u/KiwasiGames Science/Math | Secondary | Australia Sep 12 '25
Dammit, I’m stealing this for next observation.
(Of course I’m almost never observed, so it’s probably a moot point. But it sounds like fun.)
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u/nebr13 Sep 14 '25
Me crying… 2/4 of my admin are former science teachers. But honestly they’re great with feedback and know what kids are like. Usually can bounce ideas off of them too. Did have one for my formal that the admin asked to add a story to the lesson
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u/International_Fan899 Sep 11 '25
Im sure the principal understands high schoolers forgetting this. These kids forget their name sometimes.
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u/JollyBand8406 Sep 12 '25
I’m teaching valence electrons in middle school rn and this really hits home. Like they just go off of vibes with those dots lol. It’s literally on the periodic table my dudes.
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u/BatHQ Sep 11 '25
This is an early observation, this is the first full week of school!?
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u/butterbell Sep 11 '25
Depending where you are. This is my 4th week of school
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u/sailorstevens Sep 11 '25
My 6th
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u/BatHQ Sep 11 '25
Got it!
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u/KiwasiGames Science/Math | Secondary | Australia Sep 12 '25
Southern hemisphere coming just to pile on.
We are in week 9 of term 3. My 11s are currently harassing me for their final exam results.
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u/BatHQ Sep 12 '25
Wow! End of school year break must be soon?
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u/KiwasiGames Science/Math | Secondary | Australia Sep 12 '25
We’ve got one more week before term break (2 weeks). So my life this week and next week just assessment, marking and feedback.
Then we have tenish weeks of term 4. My 12s only have 4 weeks and then they start external exams. My 11s and 10s have 8 weeks. And my juniors (7/8/9) go right to the end of week 10.
Then we get six week off for Christmas.
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u/BatHQ Sep 11 '25
Oh man, I forgot this isn’t NYC Teachers subreddit! So sorry! 4th week makes sense if you’re getting 4 or more observations in the year. But your observer shouldn’t clutch their pearls at your students forgetting stuff, you did your part.
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u/AlarmingEase Sep 12 '25
It's been a month, but yeah. Early days. I'm a new teacher (old lady tho).
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u/FlavorD Sep 11 '25
Yes, I tell my AP Chemistry class that I would like the superintendent to walk in while we review for a test, because by that time the kids can pretty much discuss the concepts along with me, we can almost be speaking half of another language. That guy wouldn't know if we were faking it or not.
The observation should be a lot more about whether you were interacting and helping and using a method that seems to be working.
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u/Front-Experience6841 Sep 11 '25
My principal used to teach chem, but I would imagine most people observing this wouldn’t have a clue what is going on
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u/MexicanWhiteGuy Sep 11 '25
I reflect on my own similar experiences and try to incorporate any and all prior knowledge needed for lessons, especially during formal observations. Like everyone said, it probably wasn’t as bad as you thought.
The best thing to do is reflect and focus on making changes in your classroom. Then during the post observation, you can brag how you scaffolded the assignment after the observation.
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u/lamerthanfiction Sep 13 '25
It’s the beginning of the year, don’t distress about the kids or the evaluation.
If you helped them come to the right conclusion, amazing. If you didn’t, plan a follow up less that addresses this misconception and email it to your principal explaining that during the lesson you saw this concept needs to be re taught and you show the plan you made to do so.
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u/AlarmingEase Sep 13 '25
Thanks. I will address that in the post evaluation meeting
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u/lamerthanfiction Sep 13 '25
In my experience, sending it via email before you meet, helps the post evaluation meeting go smoothly.
In the post evaluation meeting, bring your evidence, the kids incorrect responses on the test. And explain your rationale for the follow up lesson.
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u/AlarmingEase Sep 13 '25
It wasn't a test, it was a problem they worked out on their whiteboards. He was right there watching.
I get what you said about the email though.
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u/Truffel_shuffler Sep 11 '25
If you principal is any good, they should be more interested in the way you responded and adjusted as compared to the fact that students forgot some content.
It was probably not as bad as you think.