Teaching Self-Evaluation

[cmt2779]

I had to write this self-evaluation up prior to a meeting with my boss to discuss my teaching. I spent a couple of hours on it, so I thought I'd post it here, too. Read away if you're interested.

Comments

[particle_mann]

As far as engaging the quiet ones more, that one is a toughie, and it's one I still struggle with a lot...almost certainly because it's outside of my experience. Even when I was the shy, quiet kid, before I became the loud, obnoxious adult that I am today, I never felt uncomfortable sharing my knowledge or my opinion in class. I think I have a tendency to try too hard to yank kids out of their shells, and that can be counterproductive too. I think it will be easiest if you establish early on that anyone can and will be called on at any time (by calling on anyone at any time :) ); that will get the students used to it as par for the course in your classroom. That will be facilitated by something you seem to already do, which is creating a healthy, friendly classroom environment and culture where the students can feel comfortable. If a student balks a bit, I usually ask the class as a whole "We're still gonna like her, however she answers, right?" It usually gets a laugh and puts the student at least a little more at ease. Also, try to meet them where they are, and use what they know in their comort zone to expand that zone, rather than just yanking them out of it. To use really simple examples, If you see someone with a book on horticulture in their hands, or a flower on their shirt, ask them a question during a poem with floral metaphors. Likewise, if you see someone in a baseball jersey, Mighty Casey At The Bat is probably a good one to reach them, and to solicit their expertise during.

Again, congradulations, hope this overlong reply provides some useful ideas, and keep kicking ass at teaching. And as for the student that said after your class the next class was easy, well...there are higher compliments teachers can get, but not many :)