Evaluations fot Teachers M6U4A3

My goal is to be an effective mathematics teacher for all my students.  There are many variables that determine if a teacher is in fact, effective.  Variables like experience, continued education, advanced degrees and so forth.  The evaluation of a teacher is a means of determining the teacher’s effectiveness and gives a measurement of performance and effectiveness that the teacher can look to for improving on specific areas.  As evaluations can be difficult to receive, a teacher must put what is viewed as a negative and transform it to a positive and a way to be the best teacher possible.  My goal in this blog post is to analyze two approaches to teacher evaluations and propose elements that I think as a teacher I should be judged.

My assignment for the Teach-Now program is to compare two evaluation systems.  The first evaluation system I observed was watching the Teaching Channel video. A teacher named Laura Gurick, a high school Chemistry teacher, is being evaluated by Karen Hughes.  The evaluation was a three part evaluation: pre-observation, observation and post observation.  The pre-observation takes place before class time where Hughes (the observer) asked questions about the lesson and expectations of the class.  The teacher is able to ask questions regarding the evaluation that is going to take place.  I thought it was important to have this interaction prior to class so the anxiety level of the teacher was lower and understanding what the observer is assessing for.  I would like my mentor to give me insight before evaluating my class instruction time.  The observation followed when the observer is in the class and assessing the lesson and interactions of the teacher.  Even though the planned experiment was not successful, the teacher planned for a backup scenario, demonstrating solid planning.  This is something I have learned through the Teach-Now class, you need a backup plan when using technology or experiments.  After the observation assessment and meeting the post observation process occurred where the observer gave feedback to the teacher regarding the evaluation.  The observer asked questions about the lesson and class interactions.  I would value this time with my mentor; a time to reflect, asses and grow.

The other evaluation system I researched is the CSTP (California Standards for the Teaching Profession).  This evaluation system is rubric based and follows six core standards in evaluating effective teachers:  Engaging and supporting all students in learning, Creating and maintaining effective environments for student learning, Understanding and organizing subject matter for student learning, Planning instruction and designing learning experiences for all students, Assessing students for learning, and Developing as a professional educator. (CTC, p3)  These standards focus on the diversity of both teachers and students in the state of California, the needs of all students and the environment where the students are learning along with content and growth.  I am not currently teaching in the state of California and I have not been evaluated thus far.  I feel these standards are specific and goal oriented for a teacher to understand the job they are performing and how they will be evaluated.

 

Comparing the evaluation system seen in the Teaching Channel video, and the CSTP both evaluations have clear expectations and specific feedback.  I feel the CSTP is more specific and is goal oriented for a teacher based on the six standards while the Teaching Channel video had the three parts, depending on the pre-observation meeting with the observer, the evaluation could be vague or detailed. 

 

References:

TeachingChannel. (n,d.). New Teacher Survival Guide: The Formal Observation. Retrieved from https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/preparing-for-formal-observations

Teacher Evaluation: A Resource guide for National Education Association Leaders and staff. NEA. Retrieved fromhttps://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzYfzjQoASL_eGdtNFdsbXRIRDQ/view

TNTP.org. (n.d.). Teacher Evaluation 2.0. Retrieved from The New Teachers Project: file:///C:/Users/Amy/Downloads/M4U4A3_Teacher-Evaluation_2.0-20150707115740.pdf

Marshall, K. (2014, January 2). Teacher Evaluation Rubrics. Retrieved May 31, 2017, from http://usny.nysed.gov/rttt/teachers-leaders/practicerubrics/Docs/marshall-teacher-rubric-jan-2014.pdf

Preparing For the Formal Observation New Teacher Resources. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/preparing-for-formal-observations

 Commission of Teacher Credentialing (CTC). (2009). California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP). Retrieved https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/educator-prep/standards/cstp-2009.pdf