Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of stories from both new and seasoned teachers about high stress levels tied to their teacher evaluations. Most of them have one thing in common: they feel blindsided by negative scores or comments from their administrators, worried about losing their jobs, and unsupported in how to make improvements.
I’ve been teaching for 18 years, and in that time have worked with about 20 different administrators in two schools, in two states. I’ve been evaluated in a unionized and union-free environment, and have seen 4 different teacher evaluation models used.
In all of that, I’ve never had a negative review. This is not to brag; I certainly am still learning how to improve my craft every day–but it is to say that I think there are some common factors that have helped me do well, simple principles that can be applied by anyone to decrease the stress associated with evaluations and produce a more positive outcome.
Because of the human factor, there will always be a degree of subjectivity inherent in assessments, and therefore advice on this can never truly be one-size-fits-all. However, I think we can distill a few core principles that will make it appropriately one-size-fits-most!
Communicate Promptly and Proactively with your Admin
In both of my schools, it was the admin’s job to initiate a date for a scheduled observation, including the pre and post conference. Typically, this is done by email. When you get that message, answer it promptly and proactively: the admin has a lot of evaluations to complete by a certain deadline, and he or she is fitting it in to his/her schedule just like the rest of us.
Set a positive, courteous, and professional tone in your interactions by responding quickly, clearly, and in a warm, friendly way. Be sure to tell him/her right away about anything on your calendar that might be problematic: meeting conflicts, scheduled assessments, etc. Also, get pre-and post-conference dates scheduled as well, preferably within 1 week of the observation.
Prepare: document, document, document
I learned early on that a big part of staying organized, calm, and out of hot water as a teacher is to ALWAYS LEAVE A PAPER TRAIL. If there is something you think has the potential to be problematic down the road with a student, parent, colleague, or admin, DOCUMENT IT. If you can get a written email exchange going, GREAT. If that’s not possible, simply make a document for yourself or keep a notebook where you write down the dates and a narrative of what happened and what was discussed.
So, for example, if a disgruntled parent comes complaining to admin at the end of the semester that their child is failing because you were somehow negligent, you will then calmly, easily, and quickly be able to pull up a document of exactly what you did, when you did it, and when and if the student took advantage of that (did they come for after school or lunchtime help? Did they take opportunities to do corrections? Did they hand in assignments on time? etc.)
Ask your admin in advance what they will be focusing on and what documentation they will be wanting to see. Then you won’t feel surprised, unprepared, or caught off guard. Instead, you can have those things ready to go when they ask for it.
Be able to articulate the Macros & Micros
If you’re a new teacher, this may take some experience and practice, but I’ve always found that my observations and conferences with admin go very well when I am able to clearly explain WHY I’m doing something in the lesson–showing that I am reflective and thinking about what I’m doing as a teacher, methodically, thoughtfully, and purposefully. Be able to talk about how the lesson that was observed fits into the larger arc of the Unit and the school year, and your goals for your students.
Plan a Student-Centered Lesson
Contrary to what you might think, a lecture-style lesson where you show off how smart and great you are is not what observers are looking for, not what gets you high evaluation marks, and not what great teaching really is. Observers LOVE to see student engagement. Ideally you should showcase how you can direct students into their own learning. Basically, give them the keys to the car instead of driving them there yourself.
What better way than to get the students physically moving? Stations are great for this, as you circulate and check in on students. Another one of my students’ favorite activities (and one I always do for an observation, if possible), is a version of 4 corners that I call “Take a Stand.” At the beginning of the unit, I come up with 10 or so opinionated statements, something that pertains to the upcoming text we’ll be studying. For example, in a Romeo and Juliet Unit, some of the statements might be “It is a good idea to know someone for at least one year before you marry them,” and “Teenagers do not know what true love really feels like.” The room is divided into 2 sides (agree and disagree). Students MUST pick a side (no fence sitting!!) and walk to that side. Then I ask for students from both sides to explain why they chose that position, and defend it. Many time this turns into an organic debate between students where they naturally practice rebuttals, claims, and evidence without even being instructed to do so. It is by far their favorite activity in my class!
Smile & Breathe
Ultimately, you need to just be yourself. Have confidence that even if you are new, you are sincerely trying your best, and at the end of the day, that’s really all you can do. How much or little you stress about it isn’t going to change that!
What to do with a Discrepancy
If an admin has a negative comment, stay calm and politely ask questions to get more information.
You have a right to disagree and defend yourself, but make sure you 1: PUT IT INTO WRITING and
2: ALWAYS take the high road and remain calm and professional.
I’ve honestly always had great administrators, but I have heard some horror stories about folks who are petty, vindictive, and unprofessional. At the end of the day, the only person you can control is yourself. Walk blamelessly and you’ll never have anything to hide. Even if something extreme were to happen and you lost your position (unlikely, but it can happen) remember that this is a JOB and there are plenty of others!
Especially in this season of severe teacher shortages…you and your skills are in demand. If you find yourself interviewing for a new position, be open and honest, calm and professional. You’ll never go wrong this way. Have faith that you will ultimately end up where you’re meant to be.
Final Thoughts: Be blameless
Remember, if you have a good administrator, they actually are there to help and support you with encouragement and sometimes constructive criticism, in the same way that you do for your own students. Even if you have a less-than-ideal admin, approach your observation with the optimistic attitude that they are there to help. Kill ‘em with kindness, so to speak. If there is any vitriol or venom, meet it with kindness and professionalism. Walk blamelessly and watch your stress simmer down.