In light of our readings on teacher evaluation, teacher activism, and education policy, come up with two questions to ask an expert on teacher evaluation and teacher advocacy/activism. I will share the blog with a local teacher organizer and I will ask them to pick some of the questions to answer.
In what ways does the current teacher evaluation system inaccurately evaluate our teachers; what are the long term effects of this on both teachers but the system as well?
ReplyDeleteHow does teacher advocacy shape the way that "the system" functions? Is there a way to encourage teachers to speak out more, without being reprimanded?
Riley Sievers
DeleteClaire Cook:
ReplyDeleteHow could it be ensured that teachers are getting evaluated fairly and without bias? And in what ways could teacher evaluations be used as a way to improve student learning and achievements?
How can it be guaranteed that teachers who speak up against any concerns they have won’t face issues or backlash such as getting fired?
Cady Ayers
ReplyDeleteWhat criteria should be met for someone to be evaluated as a "good" teacher?
What role do teacher unions and individual educators play in advocating for changes in education, and how can teachers balance activism with their professional responsibilities in the classroom?
Mia Shirey
ReplyDeleteHow could teachers have a say in how they are being evaluated?
How can we properly designate people to evaluating teachers (base it on if they've spent time in a classroom themselves, etc.)?
Riley B:
ReplyDeleteWhat are alternative ways/things teachers should be evaluated on?
What advice would you give to teachers wanting to "push back?"
Mack Mboh
ReplyDeleteWhat are some of the common issues faced when brining teacher advocacy?
How should future teachers prepare to make sure their voices are heard, and how should they prepare for disappointment and setbacks?
Alistair Here:
ReplyDeleteIn our materials for this week, we watched a video discussing the negative aspects of No Child Left Behind, criticizing teachers as being the problem. If you were to change an aspect about No Child Left Behind or Every Student Succeeds Act, what would it be? Would you change anything?
What are your opinions on standardized testing? Do you feel that the data collected from them is misconstrued/misinterpreted? How would you go about changing them?
What is your opinion on the privatization of education? Do you believe that they are more or less effective than public schools?
How do current teacher evaluation systems reflect (or fail to reflect) the realities of teaching in diverse classrooms, and what changes would you advocate for to make these systems more just and effective?
ReplyDeleteIn your experience, how has teacher activism influenced local or state education policies—particularly around evaluation practices—and what strategies have been most effective in driving that change?
Aniyah Johnson-Lee
ReplyDelete1. What strategies have proven most effective for teachers advocating for systemic change in education policy while balancing the demands of their classroom roles?
2. What are some common pitfalls of current teacher evaluation models, and how can districts avoid them?
Danny Trainham:
ReplyDelete1. Are teachers often penalized for advocating against school policies that they disagree with?
2. How can teacher evaluations account for the diverse learning needs of students?
ReplyDelete1. How can school administrations guarantee that teacher evaluations are unbiased and fair?
2. How can teacher evaluations support professional growth instead of just focusing on holding them accountable?
Rob Horvath
ReplyDeleteTeacher Evaluations: How can the teacher evaluation systems take into account the ability to balance their accountability as well as professional growth? How can they do so in a way that ensures they are both fair and supportive of teachers development?
Teacher Advocacy/Activism: What methods have been effective for advocacy groups while influencing education policy, particularly when it comes to resistance/changes from political or systemic pressures?
Charlie Campbell
ReplyDeleteHow do we break out of the constant cycle of Testing, Mock Tests, Preparing for the Tests and get back to actually teaching students?
Many school districts around the world are beginning to implement new methods of instruction. What evidence-based methods of classroom instruction are you excited to see implemented?
What advice would you give to an aspiring teacher wanting to be involved in teacher activism/ advocacy?
ReplyDeleteShould student voice play a role in teacher evaluations? How big of a role? Why?
Elise Ginn:
ReplyDeleteHow does evaluating a teacher come serve multiple purposes and are there any questions that are asked for a specific reason with an underlying meaning?
Rosalyn:
ReplyDeleteBecause this blog will be shared with a local teacher organizer and you will ask them to pick some of the questions to answer, I want to ask more than two questions with the recent political climate we live in.
How has the current political climate affected the public perception of teachers and public education, and what impact does that have on your work as an organizer? Has your own perception of teachers and public education changed? And if so, in what ways?
I have been seeing VCU's prevalence in local news as they recently shut down their DEI division: how do recent state-level policies around curriculum, teacher speech, and DEI impact teacher autonomy in the classroom? In what ways are educators now being forced to tiptoe (even more than before) in their lessons to avoid potential persecution, whether legal or social, from their community or the broader nation? And adding even more onto that, what role can teachers and organizers play in rebuilding trust within communities that feel alienated by these policies?
What role should teachers play in upcoming local or national elections, especially when education is such a politicized issue?
In light of the increasing politicization of education, particularly in areas of curriculum content and teacher freedom, how can educators maintain a sense of professional integrity all while balancing their personal beliefs and the political pressures placed on them? Is this even emotionally, morally, or practically feasible to do so?
As debates around standardized testing, charter schools, and privatization of public education intensify, how can educators and activists push back against policies that prioritize market-driven, capitalistic approaches to education over holistic, equitable learning? What strategies can teachers use in their classrooms to advocate for more student-centered, community-driven policies in a climate where market-based solutions are increasingly seen as the way forward?
Thank you! ٩(◕‿◕)۶
Veronica Here:
ReplyDeleteHow do teacher evaluation help the teachers? What happens during the evaluation?
Nida—
ReplyDelete1. Do you support the teacher evaluation system that often applies a one-size fits all approach toward meeting certain criteria that constitutes a “good teacher?”
2.How do you balance the criteria of what is expected by you as a teacher and your own personal way of teaching your own students?
What are some traits or habits that you find to be the most beneficial for teachers to have in your experience in teacher evaluation? What are your favorite things to see a teacher be involved in, how do you know in your heart that someone you are evaluating is a good teacher? Do you agree with the way that teachers are evaluating and do you think it should be modified in any way?
ReplyDelete**evaluated
DeleteHalie Murphy-
ReplyDeleteHow does teacher evaluation work with so many different teaching styles? What are some things that teachers can do so that they perform well on evalutation?
Talia Gose: How can teacher evaluations move beyond just test scores and actually reflect the relationship-building, critical thinking, and real-world impact that good teaching creates?
ReplyDelete2. What advice would you give to teachers who want to advocate for more meaningful, student-centered education policies, but feel limited or intimidated by the current system?
Tola Reasons :)
ReplyDelete1: How are teachers' voices and needs considered in teacher activism and advocacy? How does this impact their ability to address their needs in an effective way?
2: Do you believe education policies are fair to most teachers, or are policymakers out of touch with the challenges teachers deal with in the classroom?
Franky Mattos
ReplyDeleteHow do you make sure that teachers are being evaluated fairly, because if they only base out of of one or two days it might be their best or their worst?
The extremities shouldn’t be the only thing that teacher evaluations should be based on so what might be a different way to evaluate them?