Learning from Student Teacher Evaluations
Listen, Respond to Criticism, Learn from Mistakes, and Be Successful
Apr 10, 2009
The student teaching experience provides teacher candidates with the chance to practice recently learned instruction and classroom management techniques, while receiving feedback from the cooperating teacher and university supervisor. While sometimes the feedback can be hard to take, it is important to keep an open mind and try to improve using the suggestions offered by the mentors. Keeping the following principles in mind will help student teachers benefit from their evaluations.
Evaluations Will Evolve Over Time
Student teacher evaluations received early in the semester most often focus on the basics of classroom management, lesson pacing, use of materials, and instructional methods; but evaluations can and should develop over time. By the end of the experience, the cooperating teacher and university supervisor should be offering criticism and suggestions designed to refine and improve on already adequate to good teaching practices and instructional techniques.
Professionalism Matters During Evaluations
Teachers are evaluated throughout their careers, and one characteristic of good teachers is the extent to which they respond professionally to suggested improvements. Listen first to the strengths and weaknesses of the lesson; then ask questions to clarify what should be changed and why. Ask for suggestions on how the lesson could be handled differently, or for professional resources that could be used to learn about aspects of the lesson that need to be improved.
Even Exemplary Teachers Can Improve
Some student teachers do well from the start and their supervisor or cooperating teacher may not have any real criticism to offer. While that may seem like a positive situation, it really robs the student teacher of the opportunity for continued growth. If the supervisor or cooperating teacher is only complimentary, thank them, but ask for suggestions about what to work on next, or which other professional development resources might be helpful for ongoing improvement.
Conflicts Should be Handled with Maturity
Conflicts with the university supervisor or cooperating teacher may occur. Criticism may seem unfair or harsh, and suggestions for improvement may be unclear. It is up to the student teacher to react to these situations with maturity, asking questions to better understand the criticism, requesting additional observations, and making every effort to respond to the criticisms with necessary improvements.
If the situation is particularly contentious, however, and may affect the outcome of the experience, it is important for student teachers to seek assistance and intervention, usually from the university supervisor, or if that is the difficult relationship, from another professional at the school or university.
The student teaching experience provides an opportunity for practice, personalized feedback, and professional growth. Students teachers will learn the most from their teaching evaluations if they approach them with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Further Reading
Hougan, Eric. Road to Teaching: A Guide to Teacher Training, Student Teaching, and Finding a Job. Charleston, SC: Book Surge Publishing, 2008.
Schwebel, Sara & others. The Student Teacher’s Handbook, 4th Ed. Mahway, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 2001.
