Evaluations can be scary! Heck – they can be down-right frightening and intimidating. Yet one thing I’ve learned is that we have to show our administrators what we are doing well in the classroom. Yes, I realize they know how awesome we already are, but an evaluation should be a time to really show off! Spend a few minutes to prove that you work your tail off and that your school is lucky to have you! First I’m going to share something I had to create to “prove myself” to my administration, and then we’re going to share our teacher evaluation tips to help you rock your next eval!Â
Now for the teacher evaluation tips I promised.
1. Teach like normal.
It can be tempting to put on a dog and pony show, but don’t do it! I’ve heard of administrators actually walking out of the classroom before because it was obvious that a teacher was doing something outside of the norm. If your administrator is in your classroom regularly (which many are) then they already know what you do. Just teach like normal. The typical administrator isn’t out to “get” you.
2. Get a good night’s sleep.
The night before an evaluation can leave you tossing and turning, but it shouldn’t! You are a good teacher and you will be fine! You’re going to be more off your game if you stay up prepping crazy activities or tossing and turning all night. A good night’s sleep will help you feel better.
3. Don’t try something too new.
Evaluation day is NOT the day to try some elaborate new game or activity. Let’s say you’ve been using the Magic Square Puzzles I create as early finisher activities in your classroom for a few weeks now. It’s fine to get them out on the day of your evaluation and use them like normal. However, I would NOT recommend using these for the first time on evaluation day.
4. Don’t teach a replicate lesson.
Your kiddos will bust you on this one! Don’t think you can just teach the same lesson you did yesterday. At least one student is going to say, “We did this yesterday!” and the jig will be up. Have confidence in your abilities! You teach a new lesson each day with success.
5. Expect hiccups.
Something is going to go wrong with your lesson! It happens every day. No matter how well you plan, know that something won’t go quite right. Of all the teacher evaluation tips we’re sharing today, this one is the most real. You’re going to have a student fart mid-lesson (yep – it’s happened!), you’re going to have a fire drill (again, for real!), or the kids will get all stoned face because they don’t “get it”. These things happen. Your principal understands this. Administrators are human too. They know everyone can’t be 100% on their game 100% of the time.
We hope these five teacher evaluation tips help you rock your next evaluation! Are you looking for even more documentation printables to prove your effectiveness as a teacher? Check out this great resource now!Â
Check out these other popular posts from HoJo’s Teaching Adventures.
Wow! Impressive. Guess what I'm doing for my next eval?!?!?! Thank you!
Thanks so much for sharing =)
Your one-pager is a great way to showcase yourself! Especially by adding photos of your room or actual student work! My mid-year check-in is coming up in a few weeks and I will put something like that together!
Kate 🙂
McDee's Busy Bees
Thanks so much for sharing! I totally agree with each one of your tips and love the one page summary. What a terrific way to showcase your growth and PD throughout the year and something that can be added to your professional portfolio. i would love to hear how your eval went, although I have not doubt it was successful! Have a fantastic year.
The eval went well! I was in panic mode because I was an elementary teacher being evaluated by a 7-12 principal. (We went one year without an elementary principal, so he stepped up to do our evaluations.) I was afraid he wouldn’t “get” all that I’d done during the year or feel like I contributed enough to the school. Thankfully this one page sheet gave him a great summary of my contributions to the district. That – coupled with my actual eval – proved that I was a strong teacher to keep in district. (Random side note – I actually ended up becoming the elementary principal the next year, so the principal who evaluated me became an administrative coworker.)
my administratOr doesn’t tell us when she is coming. She gives us a heads up to look out for hEr within a windOw. I’m not aBle to prepare for an evaluation. Any suggestions?
What do you mean you’re not able to prepare? An evaluation is not meant to be a “dog and pony show”. Chances are you’re doing great teaching each and every day! Make sure you have engaging lessons planned – whether during that window or not. That way when your admin walks through for your actual eval, or even just a drop in, you’re all set!