The evaluation tool should operate as a support to teachers and administrators, guiding our instructional
conferences and encouraging continuous improvement within our craft of
educating children. We should have a
strategic plan that changes with the landscape of education throughout our
careers. Educators should focus on
building relationships that motivates
and creates a love for learning, maximizes instructional time, increases
engagement, and empowers students to be life-long learners!
So, as you set professional growth goals at the start of the
school year, remember to utilize the evaluation tool as an instrument to
flourish, supporting and enhancing your professional growth.
How should teachers view the professional growth process? As an experience to:
• Grow as a professional, creating
opportunities to set goals and attending professional development to sustain
growth. Provide quality differentiated
instruction for all students, while
focusing on innovative ways to improve classroom instruction and ultimately
student learning.
• Collaborate efforts between fellow
teachers, working as a team to improve building climate and instruction.
• Be positive! Embrace change with an open mind and be an
active participant during professional growth meetings and instructional
conferences. Be prepared and excited to
sustain learning.
• Develop high expectations for yourself and
students while consistently self-reflecting on your teaching and professional
growth.
• Build trust and personal relationships
with building principal and colleagues, approach the teacher professional growth
process in a professional manner, willing to accept positive and constructive
feedback.
• Be open about concerns or frustrations,
working with building principal to problem solve solutions rather than remaining
stagnant.
• Remain confidential regarding your
rating within the professional growth process.
The process should be an experience of continuous improvement and
discussing ratings between teachers is not recommended. It’s another reason why I continue to
advocate for the elimination of the highly effective rating, while changing the
method from an “evaluation” process to a “professional growth” process.
• Understand that the teacher evaluation
process is never final, we are always setting professional goals focused on
improvement.
• Accept that a single classroom
observation (one way or another) does not provide the entire picture. Multiple visits during the year and honest self-reflection
is necessary to make a holistic assessment of effectiveness.
• Recognize that our children deserve and
need effective teachers! If you are
unable sustain a positive evaluation ratting then you must have an honest
conversations with yourself, your principal or a trusted colleague. Find a mentor that can support you, either by
reestablishing your teaching skill set or counseling you into another
profession.
• Embark
on all decisions with a basic
question: Is it good for children?
I always value the work teachers and administrators do each
and every day! Our jobs are difficult
but extremely rewarding! Thank you for
always putting students first and not thinking they are a number, recognizing
their individual needs!
Reflecting on our effectiveness is important… what we do
after we reflect is professional growth! Keep reflecting and making the most of
your profession. Educators are the best!
Have a great week!
Keith Howell
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I love how everything begins with the question, "Is it good for kids?" This is essential, and occasionally it is missed! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks! It is important to keep that question as our primary consideration! Have a great day and thanks for reading!
DeleteI enjoy your thinking on this topic. If done correctly, the professional growth process can benefit our students. It is unfortunate that ratings have been attached to the potential to lose one's job. That factor can get in the way of true reflection and growth. You are absolutely right: we must always be answering the question, "Is it good for children?"
ReplyDeleteThanks Walt and thank you for the comments. We need to bring conversations back to professional growth rather than effectiveness. I appreciate you reading and your dedication to educating children... always asking "Is it good for children?" Have a great finish to the summer.
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