Teacher Evaluation
Most people
would agree that the quality of teachers and their instruction is very
important in educating students to become successful members of their
communities. For this reason, it is
paramount that teachers be consistently evaluated and supported by their school
districts.
In the
past, evaluations have been done too infrequently, giving teachers little to no
feedback on their performance. This could be remedied by creating committees of
highly qualified professionals to focus solely on evaluations and the
acquisition of resources for teachers who may need extra help in the classroom.
The
evaluation system itself would have to be closely examined. It should be highly
differential and helpful. Instead of simply pointing out the weaknesses of an
educator, it should also include solutions along with a plan and timeline
during which a teacher can be reassessed for improvements.
Consequences
and positive reinforcements would also need to be put in place to further
motivate teachers to excel in their performance as well as to make taxpayers
aware of the success stories within their own school system. Creating a
community of people that understand, respect and value the efforts of educators
will in turn create a body of students with positive outlooks towards education
and a sense of ownership for their own performance that many students are
currently lacking.
As with any
occupation, constant professional development is necessary to insure that
teachers are growing and adapting to the ever-changing demographics of their
student body as well technological advancements. This can be accomplished by funding more
workshops and seminars for teachers to attend outside of school hours.
As
taxpaying citizens, it is our responsibility to stay informed and help our students achieve both in and out of school so
that our communities remain strong, and comprised of globally competitive individuals.
