Making Teacher Evaluation Work

Discipline: Professional Resources

Copyright: 2017

Grade(s): K - 8

Delivery Method: Print

Imprint: Heinemann

Author(s): Rachael E. Gabriel, Sarah L. Woulfin

Making Teacher Evaluation Work: A Guide for Literacy Teachers and Leaders

Teacher evaluation is stressful. With mixed messages about the policies, purposes, and processes, more often than not teacher evaluations leave everyone feeling confused, anxious, and disillusioned. But what if there was a way to not only improve the evaluation process, but use evaluation as a way to improve teaching and learning?

Making Teacher Evaluation Work is a resource for teachers and evaluators to read together, filling a much-needed role by providing valuable information about every step of the evaluation process. Rachael Gabriel and Sarah Woulfin walk you through the entire process ­­from policy to practice­­offering context and strategies with the goal of improving the teacher evaluation process for everyone involved and support student literacy learning.

Starting with a clearly organized table of contents designed to help you find what you need when you need it, Rachael and Sarah examine the roles of teachers, teacher leaders, coaches, and principals in supporting high-quality literacy instruction in the context of accountability and evaluation policy. Each chapter is framed by a key question, followed by numerous scenarios, and a shareable list of points and take-and-go activities. Rachael and Sarah offer specific language and examples that will help:  

  • create common language and standards around evaluation issues, trends, and policies
  • get and give clear and actionable feedback
  • set goals that inspire rather than restrict
  • select authentic measures for student growth and achievement.

We know high expectations without support doesn't work for students. It doesn't work for teachers either. Making Teacher Evaluation Work shows that teacher evaluations don't have to be unproductive, but can provide the foundation for a collaborative evaluation process that improves literacy instruction, promotes teacher growth, and supports school-wide improvement.