My teaching was observed for the second time in as many weeks today. Our district is conducting a program evaluation and the results are submitted and compiled without identifying the teacher, so I will never receive any formal feedback on my lesson, my instruction, or my interaction with my students today.
The observations are carried out by independent contractors who are trained to use a rubric, and when they are through, consultants will use their data to construct a report on the overall quality of teaching in our school system. As it happens, many of the assessors are retired teachers and administrators, and I know the person who observed me today rather well. She used to be a language arts specialist at one of the other middle schools in the county.
My philosophy on any kind of evaluation is to do what I would do otherwise, thus giving an accurate picture of my practice and then to accept any feedback as constructive, and that is what I did today, even though there would be no feedback. My students continued working on final drafts of their fiction as well as composing and commenting on slice of life stories. I edited, conferred, and advised as they worked.
As she was leaving the room my observer paused. "It's great to see the students writing," she told me. "I can't say I've seen too much of that lately."
I was shocked. "Really?"
"Well," she shrugged, "I'm only there for one class, but..." she trailed off. "Thanks for doing what you're doing," she finished.
(Click here for today's sample of my 6th grade students' response to the SOLSC challenge.)
Yeah! Good for you! It's amazing to think that teachers consider themselves collaborators, but in all actuality, many just nod their head in agreement, but once the classroom door closes...you have no idea what's going on. I wish there was more collaborating and sharing of great ideas - like, who would have thought you could get students to write?!? (Apparently other teachers are teaching writing!) You have great strategies to share! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
I think it would feel so uncomfortable to evaluate someone for just one time. What a strange profession we work in when that happens, & this time, you don't even receive feedback. Also, I wish there was more collaboration too. It seems difficult for many, but it can be so much fun. The students' writing is awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are brave and bold and wise in your teaching. Here's to kids actually writing . . . day in and day out! So glad you are a part of the slicing community of writers.
ReplyDeleteRuth
Thank you, Ruth.
ReplyDelete