you are as a teacher? diagnostic tools/self-assessments currently available to us are evaluation scores and EOC type scores (I currently don't teach anything with an end of course test.) of course there is also student feedback (which can be biased in either direction). What other methods do you use as an effective way to reflect on your competencies as a teacher? of course we all want to believe that we are doing a superior job but how can one be sure (I ask this without having the benefits of EOC scores.)? Thanks in advance for any feedback.
I wait until my admin comes in the 100000 walkthroughs they do, or I wait for it to be published in the local paper, or I wait for politicians and biased state/ city test results to tell me.... Sorry I couldn't resist!!! I actually rely more on informal assessments. I watch student moods and their engagement, I also listen to what they have to say. We have to conference and keep data on every student for every lesson so that helps. I also look at their writing assessment and test scores (3 of each per unit). We just started having students take 2 min to reflect on each lesson by finishing the statement "today I learned....". I walk around and glance at their answers, it's quick and is a good source.
Reliable, valid data that isn't teacher-created (since even though my classes are incredibly rigorous compared to my peers', I still am potentially subconsciously biased or not aligning correctly) is the most appropriate. We use STAR reading tests at multiple points during the year to assess growth, as well as our EOC, PSAT results, SAT results, etc.
I think this question is a good one because there are many different aspects to teaching, and all of us will be good at some and not as good at others. Personally, when it comes to whether or not they are learning what I want them to learn, I make my rubrics very specific and have students reflect on what they have learned at the end of each unit. I also ask students to give me feedback on each unit--what is clearer at the end of the unit, what is still confusing, etc. They are usually pretty honest if something is confusing. Since I teach art, I can often "see" their progress, but when it comes to more abstract design concepts, that's when I will use exit cards or the like.
