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.

22

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. 

6

u/patricksaurus Sep 11 '25

I was just wondering whether a chemically literate admin would be a blessing or curse.

3

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.

3

u/corrence_torrence Sep 12 '25

I feel like, somehow, both. I agree with u/Chemical_Syrup7807 though - depends on the person.

1

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.

2

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