6 Reasons I Heart Teacher Evaluations

It's true. I love evaluations. As a kid, I loved tests- I loved the challenge of trying to get each and every problem correct. Never once did I think about failing. So I have to admit, I love the new teacher evaluation system that is being put into place in my school district. Here's why:

1. I want to improve. This is how I am at everything. Maybe I'm weird, but I always want to get better. I want to lift heavier weights, overcome my latest parenting mistake, shoot better in basketball, keep my house straighter, and yeah- be a better teacher. I want to have better lessons, more authentic learning, and provide more useful feedback for students. I think I'm already a good teacher, but 'good' isn't something to aspire to.
2. I want to be held accountable. I have an "accountability partner" for my everyday life that I meet with every Monday. He cares when I screw up and calls me out. When I think about doing something that is dumb, I often think about having to tell him. Usually that keeps me in line. My administrators should do that too. It's not because they don't like me- quite the opposite, really- they want me to be the best teacher I can be.
3. I want to show my students how to improve. I want my kids to improve and I hold them accountable for being a student. As a teacher I should model how to do that. I expect my students to respond to evaluations I give by improving themselves. Now they will have a model to follow in this area.
4. I want to work with amazing teachers. First off it's important to note that I already do. My circle of "teacher friends" from my school district include some unbelievable educators. Most of the teachers I work with are really good, but they aren't great. Yet. Just like me, I want to move from good to great. Already I've seen teachers in my building quit or cut back extra-curricular activities, come in earlier (one might even say "on time"), and be more assertive, prepared, and productive in our meetings that don't have adminstrators present.
5. I want my work to be acknowledged. 7 and 7. I have worked 7 years in my same position and have 7 evaluations to my name. (That's 4 in years 1-2, 3 in years 3-5, and 0 since.) I work hard and do great things in my classroom. My adminstrators should know about it and acknowledge it. Stop in, tell me I'm doing a good job, thank me for the hard work and time I've invested.
6. I want someone to care. Have you ever felt that you can pretty much do whatever you want once you close your door and it's just you and your students? I have. I would much prefer to know that someone cares enough about me and the students to come in and verify that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. Imagine if I treated students this way- I'm going to assume that everything is going right until one of their parents contact me. That would never work! 

Is the evaluation system perfect? No. And neither am I so I'll deal with it. Should our pay be based on these evaluations? That's another post all its own!

I want to be a great teacher. I want someone to show me where I can improve. I want to be evaluated.