10 Jul Teacher of the Year: There’s No Excuse for Our Poor Evaluation System
Imagine only receiving feedback on how you are doing in your job once every three years. When you do get feedback, it is almost solely based on a single pre-scheduled hour of observation, and the highest level of performance achievable on the evaluation is “consistently meets expectations.” That is the type of evaluation I have experienced so far in my teaching career.
Is one brief observation every few years an adequate representation of my work? Would you be satisfied knowing the best you can do is to “meet expectations” instead of ever exceeding them?
I want increased accountability because I am passionate about making sure I provide the best possible education to my students, and I want to continuously improve. Self-reflection is important, but it only goes so far. To not evaluate me rigorously and regularly devalues the profession I treasure.
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