The mood changes if you say the word ‘evaluation’ around classroom teachers.  The word evaluation has the stigma of a four-letter word, but it does not have to be that way.  Depending on your district’s evaluation model, it can include so many components.  It is not uncommon for teachers to feel anxiety about observations.  Unlike the business world, you get a small chunk of time to show your incredible work with your students all year. There is an additional adult (or more) in the room, with a laptop or a notebook, taking notes, asking students questions, and watching your every move.  IT’S STRESSFUL!!! 

Why do we even need evaluations?

Teacher

Teacher evaluations assess educators' effectiveness, providing feedback to improve teaching quality. They ensure accountability, support professional growth, and enhance student outcomes by identifying strengths and areas for development. These evaluations also guide decisions on promotions, tenure, and professional development opportunities, ultimately aiming to elevate educational standards and student success.

Student

Student evaluations provide insight into learners' progress, helping teachers tailor instruction to meet individual needs. They ensure accountability, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and guide personalized support. These evaluations foster student growth, inform instructional decisions, and contribute to overall educational quality by measuring achievement and guiding future learning goals.

Positive Mindset

 Administrators, listen up.  As a former administrator and teacher, I have experienced both sides of the evaluation process.  Any type of evaluation needs to come from the right mindset and the right angle. DO NOT keep the criteria or checklists for what you are looking for a secret.   Just like when you assign a project, host a contest, or give an award, the criteria must be clear and upfront.  This is crucial for the climate and culture of your school; it can drive success or hinder outcomes. 

I found that planning observations with the teachers throughout the year led to more authentic conversations. Get out your calendar.  Do yourself a favor and have a set number of observations you want to complete each week so you are not rushing at the end of the year to squeeze in required paperwork between awards assemblies. The end of the year is too chaotic for both administrators and teachers.

 Walkthrough

What’s good happening in this classroom? Great things happen in your building every single minute and hour of the day. It’s simple.  Find the good. If you can’t find ONE nice thing to say about a teacher’s lesson, classroom setup, or learning activity, you might need to get your eyes checked. Teaching is one of the most demanding jobs in the world, and we need to honor their efforts.  

When you see something great, TELL THEM! Teachers are typically self-critical, and the moment you leave the room they worry if you were satisfied with what you saw.  Bring a pack of Post-its with you and leave it on their desk.  Imagine a teacher finding a note on their desk that says, “I noticed how hard you and your students are working.  Great job!” They will be skipping down the hallway! A 2x2 sticky piece of paper can boost morale in an instant!!! 

How can I give constructive feedback?

Help Me Understand

Whether you call it the hamburger or sandwich method, giving feedback can be hard.  But what is more brutal, having a difficult conversation or having to write up a negative evaluation? Bringing a teacher in for a conversation can maintain the relationship you have worked so hard to build with your staff.  This is the critical moment where evaluations can strengthen or destroy the climate and culture of your school.  To open the conversation, say, “Help me understand…” This allows dialogue and the opportunity for you both to clarify the reasoning or observations made.

Mini-goals

For administrators and supervisors, mini-goals can change everything.  Helping your staff member identify one or two things to make the most significant impact to work on over a few days brings receiving the criticism in a better way.  Keep it small and manageable. 

Follow Up!

The key to mini goals is your effort to follow up with the teacher. Set a date and time in your calendar to follow up. You are not only working together toward success and positive outcomes but also showing you respect and value them.  Approach this interaction with positivity and smiles, and go visit them so they see your effort to encourage them. This allows the teacher to share great news with you or will enable the conversation to seek additional support. This is a perfect example of demonstrating your integrity with your staff. Generate new mini-goals as needed, and enable other supervisors to complete the positive check-in.  Supported teachers are happy teachers.

In the classroom, try this strategy yourself! No matter the age of your students or the subject you teach, this works! From classroom procedures and expectations to giving feedback on a project, or working with behavior challenges, mini-goals are a game changer for students AND parents! The follow up with their parents is essential. Pick up the phone with an update! Jot it down in your calendar as well.  Positive calls home, post-its, or handwritten notes take the climate and culture of your classroom to the next level. It will mean so much to the student and their family. 

DO NOT GIVE A BACK HANDED COMPLIMENT!

Backhanded compliments are the kryptonite in the climate and culture you are working so hard to build. Your tone of voice and face also make a big difference. Insulted teachers are unhappy teachers who have the audience of their loyal teacher besties.  You can kiss the morale, climate, and culture goodbye!

Gang, the way you approach evaluations with your staff or students changes everything. Evaluations are needed for all of us, and they can allow the climate and culture to flourish or fail. Remember, you do not need permission to be nice! Say it! Get your mindset and calendar ready! Do you have another helpful way to give feedback to students, teachers, or families? Let us know in the comments!

Global Guru in Education for 2025

I’m honored to have been nominated for the Global Gurus in Education for 2025, and I’m reaching out to ask for your vote. My passion and commitment to improving education for both students and staff have been the driving force behind everything I do.

I’ve dedicated myself to creating positive, sustainable change in schools and organizations worldwide for years. Whether through keynote speeches, professional development workshops, or my work as an educational leader, my mission has always been clear: to inspire and equip educators to create environments where students thrive, and staff feel valued and empowered.

As we look ahead to the future of education, I am committed to continuing this work and expanding its impact. Earning this recognition as a Global Guru in Education and the recent designation of Certified Professional Speaker from the National Speakers Association would allow me to amplify my efforts, reach more schools, and drive even more significant change.

Vote here: https://globalgurus.org/education/ 

Within Our Ranks

So, the school year has started.  Did you survive terrible professional development?  While you are sitting through boring trainings, lecture-like keynote speakers, and just mediocre PD sessions, if you find yourself tuning out and thinking:

• I could do this.
• I could do this better.
• How much money is this person getting paid?
• This is a waste of my time. Can I get back to my classroom already?
  

This an exclusive opportunity that you will want to take advantage of. It's called Within Our Ranks, and it's your ticket to making a real difference in the world of education. It's more than just a program; it's a transformative experience for educators who aspire to be professional speakers and make their voices heard.

Here's the deal: "Within Our Ranks" is an intensive training program that equips educators (with at least ten years of K-12 experience) with the skills and knowledge they need to step into the world of professional speaking, training, and consulting. It's a chance to unlock your full potential and share your insights around the globe.

Think about it for a moment. Have you ever felt like you have a message that could change the lives of educators or students? Do you dream of inspiring others, but you need help figuring out where to start? "Within Our Ranks" is your golden opportunity to turn your dreams into reality.

This program isn't just theoretical; it's hands-on and practical. The Within Our Ranks Team will provide the tools, strategies, and insights you need to become a confident and impactful educational speaker. Even better, you'll join a community of like-minded educators who share your passion for making a difference. It's a year-long journey that covers a wide range of topics, from crafting powerful messages to marketing yourself as a speaker and everything in between. It's not just about speaking; it's about creating lasting change in the education field.

Within Our Ranks is hosting a summit in November in San Antonio. It's the perfect opportunity to dip your toes in and see what the program is all about. This summit is a chance for you to connect with Steven Bollar and other educators who are ready to make a change.

Space is limited for the summit because this differs from your typical, overcrowded conference. Within Our Ranks focuses on quality over quantity. I want to give every attendee personalized attention to ensure you get the most out of the experience. So, if you're serious about making a change, don't wait. Head to withinourranks.com for more information. Join us for this incredible event and take the first step toward becoming a professional educational speaker. Your journey to impact and influence starts here.