Jennifer Armenia

EDUL 6016

Assignment 3   

 

In order to evaluate teachers, it is important to have a variety of samples of the teacher’s performance.  Observing a teacher teach a lesson one time and evaluating the teacher on that lesson many not provide a clear picture of that teacher’s skill.  Therefore I feel it is important to complete a variety of assessments of the teachers so I can see their skills different ways.

            One way I plan to evaluate the teachers in my school is through a portfolio assessment.  Each teacher will provide the principal with a portfolio which shows his or her teaching abilities.  The portfolio will be turned in by the end of March and should include examples of assessment, lesson plans, instructional strategies, and parent communication.  Documentation will also have to be provided to show support of the school improvement goal, staff development that has been completed and any school related activities that the teacher has participated in.  These artifacts will be beneficial because it will allow the principal to see other activities that take place in the classroom without actually being there.  The requirements for this portfolio will be given to the teachers in the beginning of the year so they are aware of the standards they must meet before turning in the portfolio. 

            Along with a portfolio a formal observation of the teacher will be completed.  This observation will be unannounced and can occur anytime during the school year.  Each teacher will receive 1 unannounced observations with the exception of a first, second or third year teacher who will receive 3 unannounced observations.  Teachers new to the district will also receive 3 unannounced observations.  During the observation the principal will complete a checklist looking for the following:

·        Lesson objective clear and understood

·        Students on task and actively engagedin the lesson

·        Time on task maximized

·        Appropriate behavior intervention if needed

·        Effective teacher/student communication

·        Organized, clean and safe classroom

·        Assessment matched to learning

·        Positive student interaction

·        Student-centered activities

·        Teacher provides appropriate assistant to student

·        Good teacher knowledge of subject matter

·        Lesson was at the appropriate level

·        Teacher recognizes individual student differences

·        Effective use of resources

After the unannounced observations the principal will meet with the teacher to discuss the lesson.  The teacher will be provided an opportunity to clarify and misunderstandings and/or questions the principal may have.  This meeting with the teacher will also allow the principal to discuss any concerns that he or she may have with the teacher’s instructional practice.  A blank copy of this evaluation form will be given to the teacher in the beginning of the year so he or she is aware of what the principal will be looking for during an observation.

If a teacher receives 3 or more “no” during the observation the teacher will be placed on a Professional Development Plan.  While on a Professional Development Plan (PDP) the teacher will receive additional support from the school through training.  The teacher on the PDP will also receive a mentor to assist in improvement.  The teacher, mentor, and principal will write a PDP listing the problem, ways to improve the problem, ways to implement the suggestions to fix the problem and a way to assess if the problem has been fixed.  The mentor will also assist the teacher on the PDP with lesson planning, classroom management, record keeping and any other areas that need improvement.  Once the PDP is put into action, the principal will do 3-5 unannounced observations to see if there is an improvement.  If not the teacher, mentor and principal will revise the PDP to help make further improvements. 

At the end of the year the principal will complete an end of year evaluation which addresses the following:

• Planning and preparation (knows materials, students needs, organizes instructional plans and manages resources)
• Classroom environment (keeps a clean, safe classroom and enforces student behavior)
• Instruction(demonstrates different teaching techniques, focuses on student engagement and learning and show flexibility and creativity)
• Administrative responsibilities(accurate and up to date record keeping, effective parent communication)
• Professional qualities (accepts personal responsibility, fosters teamwork and professional development)

 

Teachers will receive a Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory rating for these items.  If a teacher receives unsatisfactory for any item documentation would need to be provided.  Any teacher who receives 2 more unsatisfactory ratings will automatically be placed on a PDP as described above.  Once again, a blank copy of this evaluation form will be given to the teacher in the beginning of the year so he or she knows what areas will be evaluated.

After the final end of year evaluation has been completed, the principal and teacher will meet once again to review the evaluation.  This meeting will also provide an opportunity for the principal to go over the teachers portfolio and ask questions or receive clarification on anything the principal needs clarified.  This will also provide the principal with an opportunity to address any problems that he or she needs to address.