Overview
Before you can begin your field experience year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) requires all educator preparation candidates to complete 50 hours of classroom observation.
These observation hours are separate from your field experience observations completed during your internship or clinical teaching. They are completed before you become eligible for your field experience assignment and are designed to help you observe effective instructional practices and reflect on teaching and learning.
Observation Hour Requirements
You must complete 50 total observation hours.
At least 25 hours must be completed by observing certified educators in person after your iteach enrollment date.
The remaining hours may come from a combination of:
- Additional in-person classroom observations
- Your own qualifying employment at a TEA-approved school (up to 25 hours)
- Long-term substitute teaching (up to 15 hours)
- Teaching Channel video observations (up to 25 hours)
Where Can I Complete Observation Hours?
In-person observation hours may be completed at:
- Texas public schools
- Texas charter schools
- TEA-approved private schools
You may observe:
- Any grade level (K–12)
- Any subject area
Your observations do not need to match the certification area you plan to teach.
Private Schools
Observation hours completed at a private school are only accepted if the school is approved by TEA.
Before scheduling observations, verify that the school appears on the current list of TEA-approved private schools. If the school is not on the approved list, observation hours completed there cannot be counted toward your requirements.
Out of State
Observation hours completed outside of Texas cannot be accepted.
TEA requires classroom observations to take place at a Texas public school, Texas charter school, or TEA-approved private school.
How Do I Find a School to Observe?
If you do not already have a relationship with a school, you will need to contact schools directly to request observation opportunities.
Many districts provide information about classroom observation requests on their district or campus websites, so we recommend checking there first.
Keep in mind that many schools require visitors to complete a background check before they are permitted on campus. Be sure to complete any required screening well in advance of your planned observation dates.
If a school requests documentation confirming your enrollment in the iteach program, or if you need assistance locating observation opportunities, please contact the iteach support team. We are happy to provide an observation request letter or answer any questions.
Completing Observation Hours During the Summer
There are some ways to continue earning observation hours during the summer months.
Many school districts offer summer school programs during June and early July. Check with districts in your area to see whether classroom observation opportunities are available.
You may also observe a certified teacher at a year-round preschool or childcare center, such as Primrose or another similar program, provided the school appears on TEA's approved list of private schools.
Remember, your observations do not need to match your certification area, giving you greater flexibility when searching for opportunities.
Even if schools near you are not offering summer school, many districts begin accepting observation requests for the fall semester during the summer. Contacting schools early may allow you to schedule your observations as soon as the new school year begins.
Using Your Own Classroom Experience
You may apply up to 25 hours from your own experience working at a TEA-approved school after your iteach enrollment date as:
- A classroom teacher of record
- A teacher aide
- A paraprofessional
- A substitute teacher
If you are using your own classroom experience toward your observation requirement, you must still complete observation log reflections for those hours.
Long-Term Substitute Teaching
If you have served as a long-term substitute teacher in the same classroom for 30 or more consecutive days within the last two calendar years, you may apply up to 15 hours toward your observation requirement.
Teaching Channel Observation Hours
You may complete up to 25 hours using iteach's Teaching Channel partnership.
To ensure your access is covered by iteach:
- Access Teaching Channel using the link at the top of your iteach homepage.
- Do not access the Teaching Channel website directly.
- Full-length classroom videos are recommended because they provide complete lesson examples for your observation log.
Completing Your Observation Log
Throughout your observation hours, you will complete an Observation Log documenting what you observed and reflecting on your learning.
The Observation Log template and sample entries are available in Module 3 of Course 5000. Your completed Observation Log will be submitted as part of Course 5300.
Each log entry should focus on one day of observation or teaching, regardless of how many hours were completed that day.
Your reflections should go beyond describing what happened in the classroom. Instead, explain what you learned and how it will influence your own teaching practice.
Questions to consider include:
- What instructional strategies did you observe?
- Why were those strategies effective or ineffective?
- What evidence of student engagement or learning did you notice?
- What did you learn that you will apply, or avoid, in your own classroom?
Reflection Example
Instead of:
The teacher reviewed multiplication.
Try:
The teacher used number talks to build fluency. I noticed students explaining their reasoning to one another, which reinforced the importance of encouraging mathematical discussion. I plan to incorporate similar opportunities for students to explain their thinking in my own classroom.
Need More Help?
If you have questions about observation hours, qualifying schools, your Observation Log, or obtaining an observation request letter, please contact the iteach support team by emailing admin@iteach.net.