Overall, I do not feel that I have had a positive teacher evaluation experience since student

teaching. Because of this, I am more in tune of what not to do since most models of teacher
evaluation have been satisfactory at best. As a younger teacher eager to change aspects about my
classroom and teaching methods, I think I would benefit greatly from having a true teacher
evaluation. At my current school, I was never evaluated. Administrators popped in to say hello
briefly but that has been the extent of any observation. The generic rubric and checklist used
gave me no feedback and the comments were based on parent and colleague heresay. Although
the overall evaluation was positive, there was not an area I knew I excelled in or areas I needed
to work on. I believe providing teachers with an evaluation that actually gives feedback (both
positive and negative) is important. Not only this, but also a follow-up meeting to discuss the
evaluation and observations up front- and not two days before the end of the school year.

Another administrator went about evaluations a bit differently. He visited my classroom weekly
to observe, but never followed up to discuss any feedback. When I would ask him about the
observations, he would say, youre doing fine. I still to this day am not sure what that meant. I
appreciated the time he took to be in my classroom and found it very valuable. It seems
unrealistic to base a teacher off of one twenty minute observation. Quick drop ins (planned and
spontaneous) allow an administrator to see more consistency from both teachers and students. I
believe this also allows more of a conversation between a teacher and an administrator since the
administrator spent so much time in the classroom. I know I would be more open and
comfortable discussing my teaching if someone was in my classroom several times rather than
just one.

As far as my positive evaluation experience goes, the administrator where I student taught
observed me twice, taking notes and meeting with me that day to discuss what he observed. This
quick turn-around helped me get immediate feedback and reflect back on the day easily. He
shared specific examples of what I did well and what I need to work on. I went away with a
better understanding of his expectations and what I needed to improve on.
My current administrator stressed at the beginning of the year that he would be in the classrooms
more for informal observations. I hope he follow through since I am looking for ways to grow as
a teacher. He has taken the time to get to know me and values what I do for the school, as well as
most teachers in the school. As discussed in our previous adobe session, I will make sure I am an
advocate for myself and make it known how much a value feedback from observations.