So, a lot of folks over in DC and up in Lansing feel that teacher evaluations are best done by educational administrators. Most teachers will probably tell you that this is kind of silly, because they come in to your classroom for about 40 minutes, and really...anything can happen in those 40 minutes. Kids throw up, parents storm into the room unexpectedly, someone throws a tantrum, the projector won't work (there goes your lesson)...so many things. Sure, it might a regular day but chances are that what your evaluator sees isn't a representative sample of your daily classroom atmosphere.
With that said, I personally feel that the best people to evaluate a teacher are students, other teachers who interact regularly, and parents (more or less in that order). My middle schoolers had their last day of the quarter today and I won't be seeing them in a classroom again, so I thought that since I think I'm getting the hang of this thing, maybe it's not a bad idea to ask them what they think. I asked for their overall thoughts of the STEM class, their favorite/least favorite parts, and an evaluation of me/how I could improve as a teacher. The answers were all over the map, but mostly positive. Here's a few more memorable responses...what are your thoughts on teacher evaluations?
"The best part was when I sat next to [insert girl's name here]"
"Ms. Ali was the best teacher ever but she gave too many notes."
"A nice teacher but I want to go outside!" (can you feel the Spring Fever?)
"You were the BEST teacher ever for my specials. :) xoxo" (this was a nice pick-me-up)
"Mrs. Ali you are a great teacher, fun. Let us talk and you should be a regular teacher."
"Ms. Ali, um, I think there is nothing you should change because you are a beautiful, nice teacher and I think that you can get better on your temper with these CHILDREN! (lol) But that's it!!" (signed "your fav student")
With that said, I personally feel that the best people to evaluate a teacher are students, other teachers who interact regularly, and parents (more or less in that order). My middle schoolers had their last day of the quarter today and I won't be seeing them in a classroom again, so I thought that since I think I'm getting the hang of this thing, maybe it's not a bad idea to ask them what they think. I asked for their overall thoughts of the STEM class, their favorite/least favorite parts, and an evaluation of me/how I could improve as a teacher. The answers were all over the map, but mostly positive. Here's a few more memorable responses...what are your thoughts on teacher evaluations?
"The best part was when I sat next to [insert girl's name here]"
"Ms. Ali was the best teacher ever but she gave too many notes."
"A nice teacher but I want to go outside!" (can you feel the Spring Fever?)
"You were the BEST teacher ever for my specials. :) xoxo" (this was a nice pick-me-up)
"Mrs. Ali you are a great teacher, fun. Let us talk and you should be a regular teacher."
"Ms. Ali, um, I think there is nothing you should change because you are a beautiful, nice teacher and I think that you can get better on your temper with these CHILDREN! (lol) But that's it!!" (signed "your fav student")
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