Ok, I did it! Last week on our last full day of school I gave each of my 8th grade students a simple evaluation form and let them evaluate me…the teacher.

Before handing out the teacher evaluation form I explained to my students how important this was for me…that I will read each and every teacher evaluation and that I take this seriously and I hope they do too…that the purpose of what they were doing is so I can become a better teacher next year.

I also explained that it is an anonymous evaluation so they can be as open and honest about their experience in my class as they wish.

The form had 20 statements and students could check one of the following choices: Always, Usually, Seldom, or Never.

Here is a sampling of some of the statements on the teacher evaluation form:
1. I give clear directions.
2. I include a variety of activities.
3. I give you enough time to do your work.
4. I know what is going on in the room.
5. I let you express your opinions.

At the bottom of the teacher evaluation form there is a space for additional comments or suggestions. I put on the board some things for them to comment on such as:

1. How could I have made this class better?
2. What was your favorite unit/project? Why?
3. What was your least favorite unit/project? Why?
4. How could I have made learning U.S. History more fun and interesting?

Finally, I tell students that at the bottom of the teacher evaluation form, I want them to give me grade between an A and an F.

Well, I am glad to say that aside, from one B and one C, I got all A’s (Not bad for 132 students…)

Yes, that is a nice boost for the ego, but that is not the point. The point is to look through the evaluations and look for overall patterns in their answers. Doing so gave me some real insight into how I can be a better teacher next year.

I learned that my students loved the Civil War unit the most, that their favorite projects were designing Colonial brochures on the computer, they also really enjoyed the Timeline project where they pretend to go back in time as a host of a television show and interview someone from the past, I also learned that they found the review games not just fun, but educational.

I also got some constructive criticism about how to post my homework assignments in class and how I should put up more pictures/posters of what we are studying around the room.

Now the trick is to make sure I incorporate some of their ideas into next year’s curriculum to help myself become a better teacher next year.

I know many teachers are reluctant to do this, but who better to evaluate you then those you have been teaching all year. I also know many teachers are afraid that their students will not take it seriously, but I am happy to say that it appears that every single one of my 132 students answered honestly.

Again, I know it is the end of the school year and teachers have a tremendous amount of work to do before school lets out…but taking 10 minutes out of that busy schedule to have your students complete a teacher evaluation form can really help teachers reflect on the year and become better teachers next year.

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If you’d like to discuss this some more or see what others have to say about this idea visit this thread on the Teaching Tips Machine Forum:

http://www.teaching-tips-machine.com/forum/index.php?topic=205.0
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