Teacher Feedback, Part 1

Holding up a mirror can be an uncomfortable but critical experience for growth.  

Most years in the classroom, I've requested feedback from my students in some form or another. This morning, I handed out a blank report card template, and had students write a report card about me, using the "strengths" and "next steps" format, in various subject areas and learning skills.

One young chap was perplexed:  "Ms. Teschow, I don't think I can write anything bad," he quipped, "You're so good at everything!" (Ahhh, I love teaching primary kids!!!)  I assured him that everyone had areas they could improve in, and that I was keen to hear what they felt my areas for growth were.

Most of the students eagerly rose to the occasion.  A sampling of their comments follows.

Strengths:

• "Ms. Teschow is great at finding new words and using them in her vocabulary."
  
• "I enjoyed how you teach us with the Smart Board."
• "You did very well in oral communication, because you make us staring using rich talk, and I really enjoyed it because it helps us have better conversations."
• "She explains everything clearly, even to people who don't understand math."
• "Awesome job with Measurement, Patterning and Algebra.  A+!"
• "I lik when ms Tesho talk"
• "Great work on writing -- you make it so interesting and funny.  Bravo!  Bravo!"
• "I like how we get to plant a plant, and I don't like how we Make postars"
• "My teacher makes school interesting"
• "I liked how we went to the math groups"
• "You're all good"
• "I liked it when we measured the Kindergarten gate."
• "It is really fun getting to work with a partner."
• "Art - awesome!  Social Studies - good job."
• "I liked when we read First Day Jitters and other books together."

Next Steps:

• "more minds maps and posters, please"
• "Ms. T is good at reading, she can improve on writing"
• "more harder reading and more challenging math"
• "has to add more fun"
• "I don't like how we have a lot of pages for math homework!"
• "Sometimes Ms. Teschow talks to people and she is sometimes LOUD!"
  
• "I wish we did more painting"
• "Ms. Teschow should eat more healthly food."
• "I think Ms. T should really learn more about science and technology because she is so-so good!"
• "Ms. Teschow is good at crafting and colouring, but she can work on cutting!"
• "Ms. T needs some help in math"

Tonight, I will send home the following family feedback survey, so I can get the parents' take on things, too.  Crushing as the truth sometimes is, honest feedback can be a powerful tool for moving forward.

Stay tuned for the next installment....

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