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7 Comments

Evaluation Time?! No Sweat! Just Strut Your Stuff!

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! 

evaluation time? tips to get ready!

If you’re anything like me, your evaluation rolls around and you freak (even if it’s only temporarily)! I don’t believe in putting on a “horse-and-pony-show” just because I’m being evaluated, but I do what to show that I know what’s up. Then this year, my administrator threw a curve ball at me. During the pre-evaluation meeting he wanted me to “prove” that I contribute to our staff and that I continue to grow as a professional. Hmmm… What did that mean exactly? I do each of these things, but how could I “prove” this??
 
Yep – this is where I panicked a bit. I mean – come on – what did he want?!? I probably should have asked what he was looking for, but I didn’t want to come across as someone who was clueless. So then I ended up spending maybe 20 minutes throwing this together…
You can click on the photo above to see the pdf file that I truly printed out.
 
As you’ll notice, I tried to keep it to the point. I kept it to just one page, and I included a few photos to really “show” what I’ve been doing that I’m proud of in the classroom. So this sheet of paper, my standards checklist, family communication log, and then the official evaluation documentation were what I included for my pre-evaluation conference.
 
Things went off without a hitch! My administrator said he realized that I served on various committees and that I’m a professional, but even he was impressed by all of the things I’ve done to help my school and to grow in the profession. So I guess all of my panic was for nothing!

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.

evaluation time? tips to get ready

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! 

Like this post on teacher evaluation tips?
Check out these other popular posts from HoJo’s Teaching Adventures.
Click on any of the pictures that interest you! 

Filed Under: 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 5th Grade, 6th grade, kindergarten, Middle School, new teachers, portfolio, professional development, Staff Relationships, technology

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mrs. Yazzie's Classroom News says

    December 30, 2013 at 7:04 pm

    Wow! Impressive. Guess what I'm doing for my next eval?!?!?! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Jody Lynne says

    January 2, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing =)

    Reply
  3. Kate :) says

    January 6, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    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

    Reply
  4. Tiffany Barnett says

    February 19, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • HoJo says

      February 19, 2017 at 8:50 pm

      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.)

      Reply
  5. Jeri says

    June 3, 2017 at 7:51 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • HoJo says

      June 5, 2017 at 9:40 am

      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!

      Reply

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