Teacher evaluation

Evaluating process

In the international school I'm teaching, the teacher's evaluation is carried by the principal (formal evaluation) or teachers (informal evaluation).

The formal process has to be done at least once per year, and include several meetings with administrators to discuss how will be/ was the teacher's performance. 

There is an scheduled observation and a non scheduled observation per year. The administrator will follow the rubric of Charlotte Danielson's framework for teaching. Due to the extension of this evaluation system, the administrator will pick up 2 objectives for each domain, evaluating the las  one (domain 4: professional responsibilities) at the end of the year.

In case some teacher needs a feedback of his / her work, they can request the presence of the administrator in the classroom during the lesson. They will have a meeting after that observation to get some feedback about the objective or aspect he/she wanted to be evaluated.

Personal opinion

Coming from an educational system that don't evaluate their teachers I am pleasantly surprised how useful is that activity. For teachers is a good practice to set new goals each year, that will help them to improve on their teaching strategies and methods. For administrators also will be useful, it will help them to keep the learning quality level, and intervene in case that any teacher needs improve some aspects. The colleagues' feedback is very helpful also. This could be consider as a symbiotic practice; both teachers can learn (good and bad practices) and apply or modify them on their lessons.

Gradable aspects

Some important aspects that should be evaluated are:

• Preparation and knowledge of the teaching subject. It is very important to have a well developed lesson that cover all the contents that should be covered following a logical order and content related.

• Creating a positive and respectful environment that could make student's learning. This learning it is not just content related, they should also learn respect and partnership.

• Flexibility and meeting students needs. The teacher should adapt his/her lessons to the different student's needs.

• Teaching professionalism. The teacher has to show integrity and professional ethics. They also have to show commitment with school's values.