Building Teacher

BUILDING TEACHER

CAPACITY

BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS
Capacity
TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.

W e have entered a new era of teacher evaluation—one where
everyone understands the importance of getting it right. While research
has shown that teachers are the most important factor in student
achievement, principals are key
to successful teaching practice. A significant element of a principal’s
influence on good teaching is the effective use of a teacher evaluation
BUILDING TEACHER

system that is
CAPACITY

BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS

predicated on meaningful feedback, mentoring, and coaching. It is also

TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.

imperative that principals receive appropriate support to execute

evaluation models that
accomplish the goal of evaluation: to improve instruction and learning.
Recommendations for Teacher
Evaluations
Supporting Principals in Implementing Teacher Evaluation Systems offers policymakers and district
leaders seven recommendations to bolster principals as implementers of new evaluation systems. According
BUILDING TEACHER

to the brief, states and districts should:

CAPACITY

BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS

TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

nSpend 10 percent of Title II funds on professional development for school leaders. Currently, states and
MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.

districts spend less than 4 percent of Title II “allowable use” funds on principal professional development.

nProvide principals/teachers with training, credentialing, and ongoing professional

development on teacher evaluation. This should include training in instructional coaching.
nRespect principals’ judgment. Principals must be given latitude to make decisions regarding evaluation
tools, improvement plans, and personnel.

n Reduce the number of observations required for teachers who demonstrate effectiveness.

Provide consistent funding for schools to hire assistant principals and other school administrators
n

who provide direct support for teachers.

At minimum, every school with more than 400 students should have an assistant principal.
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nProvide personalized professional development for all teachers to support collaboration and best
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practices. Schools must provide ongoing professional learning for educators at every stage of their careers.
BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS

TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.

nProvide principals with effective technology and related tools to facilitate efficient observations.
Support them to disseminate timely feedback to teachers as well as personalized professional development
and
learning opportunities.
Professional Development: There are no limits to how teachers can grow in their knowledge through
professional development.

A professional development activity related to the teacher evaluation system is conducting peer
classroom
walkthroughs together using individual components.

During these walkthroughs, the teachers together with the coach collect evidence to support the best
practice implementation of that component. Then, look for patterns in practice, and determine what was
important about what was saw and how can be used those same strategies in each classroom.
BUILDING TEACHER

CAPACITY

Instructional Coaching: is a type of professional development where an expert coach works alongside
BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS

TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

a teacher. It results in meaningful, high-quality professional development for teachers because it is job-
MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.

embedded, and addresses issues teachers face daily in their classrooms. The ultimate goals are improved
instructional practice and student learning. Coaching is confidential, non-evaluative, and supportive. It is
a process that requires a delicate balance with a teacher evaluation system.
Tech Tools

Many of the time constraints principals experience with teacher evaluation can be solved through the use of
technology tools, which make conducting observations and providing feedback to teachers more efficient and
effective. Thirteen Ed Online suggests that “teachers can use spreadsheets to track student work and track
their teaching plans. If a group of students is performing poorly in a particular area, this kind of record
keeping can highlight areas that the teacher needs to focus on in their own teaching.”

These tools can also help administrators assess and improve teacher performance. A range of devices is
available for teachers to use in producing materials for evaluation. Teachers can use scanners, digital
photographs, digital portfolios, and video to record evidence and produce artifacts of their teaching. These
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tools are not only great time-savers, but they also help organize and manage information in ways that are
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more useful to teachers and instructional coaches.

BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS

TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.

Another major advantage to digital technology is that the work can become part of a conversation.
-Google Applications
-Office Application of MS
-Canva
-OER
Affirm & Celebrate the Work

Principals must also remember to recognize the art of teaching—those elements that aren’t always measured
in an evaluation rubric. Pre- and post-observation conversations provide an opportunity for a teacher to talk
in-depth about his or her logic in making classroom decisions, Frisinger says. She then uses these
conversations as an opportunity to affirm a teacher’s work as well as to learn about instructional tools and
strategies teachers are using that can be
shared schoolwide.

Principals need to do things to help inspire the new teacher, reaffirm the seasoned professional, and
recognize the gift that teachers give to us all.
BUILDING TEACHER

CAPACITY

BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS

TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

As a principal, always provided an avenue for staff members to be recognized and nurtured. Create a
MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.

themed bulletin board on the wall for staff members, parents, community members, and students to write
notes of praise to staff members.

Teacher quality is the single most important school-based factor in student achievement.
 Principals must also remember to recognize the art of
teaching—those elements that aren’t always measured
in an evaluation rubric.
BUILDING TEACHER

CAPACITY

BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS

TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.

 THANK YOU SO MUCH
BUILDING TEACHER

CAPACITY

BY MARIBEL CHILDRESS

TOOLS TO STRENGTHEN INSTRUCTION THROUGH

MULTIPLE MEASURES OF EVALUATION.