Nelson Nazario

INGL 6996
Prof. Ellen Pratt
4 December 2014
Professor Observation
On Friday, November 21 I observed Sandra Sotos INGL 3101 class. The class took place
in Chardon 326 at 3:30P.M.
Immediately upon arriving I noticed how comfortable students were in the classroom.
They were not restrained by an oppressive environment, and it seemed everyone was happy to be
there. Maybe the fact that the semesters end was right around the corner helped. But anyway, it
was clear Sandra had established a good relationship with all her students.
The lesson of the day was review of the material they had covered on previous weeks,
material that would be included on their third and last partial exam, as well as in their final.
Sandra had prepared a Power Point presentation that included practice exercises and necessary
information about the units covered to remind students of specific rules and forms. The practice
exercises included in the review varied in terms of format. Some were multiple choice, others
were fill in the black. She also included a short reading along with a couple of exercises (true or
false, vocabulary, etc.). The review was essentially designed as a blueprint of the test to prepare
students for the content and structure.
Domain A: Planning and Preparation: Sandra did a great job at formulating a complete
and appropriate review for her students. Students immediately recognized terms that were
specific to the discussed units, and there were only a few questions that Sandra was prepared to
answered, questions that she seemed to have anticipated, and therefor included a break down in

the Power Point. The students level of knowledge was in correspondence to the content of the
review, which means that the lessons in which the material was originally covered were very
well executed. Only a few students seemed to have been struggling with one or two concepts, but
Sandra was quick to helping them clarify doubts.
Domain B: The Act of Teaching: One of my struggles throughout the semester was
engaging my students. I really wanted to establish a strong relationship with them, as well as a
foundation from which they could grow by freely and comfortably expressing their insecurities,
doubts, and interests. I noticed that exchanges between Sandra and her students were effortless,
which I think had a lot to do with the fact that she got to know her students, and it this was made
clear by the way she allowed them to speak their mind without it affecting the lesson or without
it being inappropriate or disrespectful in any way. She had good control of the classroom, and her
presence wasnt intimidating, which I think were factors that contributed to the overall dynamic
within the classroom. Her energy matched that of her students, and she was able to maintain a
constant flow of vitality that benefitted her students as well as the purpose of the review.
Domain C: Reflection and Assessment of Teaching: Sandra promoted a healthy
classroom environment. She treated her students with respect, and she was thoughtful of the
lesson, creating it so that her students would benefit from it one hundred percent. I would have to
say that the lesson that day (the review) was effective. I noticed that students seemed to have a
good grasp of the concepts, and the participation was overwhelming, compared to my 8:30A.M.
class.
Domain D: Fulfillment of Professional Responsibilities: Like I mentioned, Sandra
demonstrated professionalism from beginning to start. Her behavior wasnt just in accordance to
the standards and expectation of the department, but it was also considerate of the situation, of

the individuals (students) involved. I think everyone always finds room for improvement, and
maybe had I observed on a day in which the lesson wasnt a review, maybe I wouldve been
exposed to a trial and error type of situation. But on this day Sandra was prepared and focused,
and her students responded positively.
There were a lot of things I took from this observation. Its one thing to observe a peer,
another TA, whos probably under the same amount as pressure as you are to fulfill the role of
the educator. Observing a professor is an entirely different experience. You see the very same
strategies you want to incorporate into your practice, but you see them as having gone through a
process of refinement, and you can help to feel motivated to continue on honing your own
techniques. I really enjoyed being in the classroom. I especially enjoyed the easiness with which
Sandra managed her classroom, and the response from her students was indicative of a champion
teaching philosophy.