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.