Being a teacher means being assessed; it comes with the territory. But that doesn't make it any easier as you sit in the principal's office, waiting for your "grade".
In my latest article, Report Cards for Teachers, I introduced the idea of having students assess their teachers--giving teacher report cards. I really do think it's one of the most valuable tools as far as authentic evaluation. The kids are the ones who see us every day, rain or shine, mistakes and all. And as we know, kids can be brutally honest. But for the most part, I still find myself to be my harshest critic.
That's why I think it's ridiculous that I still get a twinge of anxiety--well, nervous actually--when I know my principal is popping in the room for an evaluation. I'm a veteran teacher, an old pro. I know what I'm doing. I know what my students are doing. I even know why we're doing what we're doing. So, why am I still nervous when he walks in the room? Granted, it's gotten much better over the years; and ten minutes into the lesson, it really is as if he's not sitting at my desk--unless of course, the overhead doesn't work, I'm short copies of the assignment, or my cellphone rings from inside my desk. All of those things have been known to happen from time to time in my classroom; luckily, my principal was never present for any of them. But he was there the time one of my team members, J, ran into my room, plastered himself across the front wall, and made some hilarious comment to the kids. J made a much quieter and quicker exit after he caught my principal's eyes across the crowded room. I finished the lesson like a champ and even got commended on my evaluation for dealing with unexpected interruptions. Life happens. I know that and so does my principal. Each day, each class, and each lesson don't always go exactly according to plan. And given the fact that he's in my room for 42 minutes, he views his assessment as just one small snapshot in the huge scrapbook that makes up the year.
The moral of my story is take feedback for what it is--feedback--whether it's from your students, your colleagues, or your principals. I've heard that some people even accept it from their spouses. Regardless of who's delivering the message, know that it is just meant to be a tool to tell you all the excellent things you're doing and all the good things you can make even better. Evaluations are just one piece of the pie; sometimes the piece is great and sometimes you could do without. And next time, the piece might be the best you've ever had.
