The Importance of Teacher Self-Assessment: The First Step in Implementing A Teacher Improvement Plan

The Importance of Teacher Self-Assessment: The First Step in Implementing A Teacher Improvement Plan
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Avoid Falling in a Rut

One thing a teacher self assessment and a teacher performance improvement plan accomplishes is the avoidance of falling into a rut. If a teacher does not take time to evaluate his/her performance, a teacher will have a tendency to do the same things in the same way, to teach the same concepts the same way, and to use the same exercises again and again. Guess what? If a teacher does the same things the same way he or she has always done them, the results are going to be the same that they have always been in the past.

Some teachers are pleased with their results and have the attitude that they do not need to change any of their teaching practices. However, for those teachers that are overachievers, it is imperative that they reflect on what they taught, how they taught certain concepts, and how effective their teaching/instructional strategies were.

Self-Assessment Leads to Improvement

Once teachers begin the evaluation process, they will see in which areas they can improve. How can I make the concept of _______ stick in my students’ heads? What can I do to become a more effective teacher? Look at the concepts with which your students struggled and see what you can do to assist them in grasping a more complete understanding of that particular concept.

Becoming a more effective teacher does not mean that a teacher passes more students or that a teacher raises their class average by so many points. To be more effective simply suggests that a teacher challenges and enlightens his/her students each and every day.

Extend Self-Assessement to Other Areas

Not only does this period of self-reflection extend to teaching, but it can be extended to how teachers manage their classrooms? Do you go home every day with a pounding headache because your students are noisy? Do you have the loudest classroom on the hall? If so, it is time to make some changes. A teacher can do several things differently to maintain order. If a teacher is unsure of what changes to implement, ask some more experienced teachers, and theywill be full of ideas. Also, they will be glad to help because a quiet hallway is a happy hallway…for teachers, at least.

Apart from teaching and discipline, teachers should evaluate their professionalism. How timely is a teaching in returning phone calls and emails? Does a teacher complete lesson plans each week? How prompt is your arrival at meetings and conferences? These are all aspects of being proactive.