Especially if it wasn't all positive? I feel bad, because I like this teacher as a person, but she was out a lot this year and it seems like maybe her personal life was impacting her professional life. When she was at school she just didn't seem as engaged with the kids as the other classroom teacher. Can I come right out and say that, or is there a more tactful way I can be honest about it? I have no idea if she will read our comments and I would hate to hurt her feelings.
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I would. I think honest evaluations are important, even though as a teacher they can be really hard to read. Do it gently, but be direct. You can say that you liked her as a person, but that there were areas for improvement, as she fell short in some of your expectations.
ETA: I don't like doing it, but I think it is important.
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@Pancakes: Do you know why she was out a lot?
ETA - people go through all sorts of issues in their lives. No one is perfect. Did it greatly impact your child's education? If not I'd let it go. There are teachers going through cancer treatments so they're in and out in my building. My daughter has had some health issues this year so I've been out a few days. I was also out for a miscarriage.
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Be honest but gentle. Are you answering questions or is it a completely open ended eval?
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@Swedishfish: I don't know all of the reasons for her absences, but I'm sure they were legitimate. I don't think she was taking the day off just because. It just seemed like maybe, whatever was going on at home zapped her of her energy and enthusiasm for teaching?
@Matador84: Some of it is ratings on specific areas, and then there is a space for additional comments.
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@Pancakes: I am appalled that parents are being asked to evaluate a teacher. That is an administrator's responsibility.
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@Swedishfish: It's a co-op preschool, so it's basically parent-run.
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I'm really torn about how to answer this. I'm not a parent yet, but as a teacher, it seems that society values teachers that give absolutely everything to their students. That is the teacher that I have been, and that I've tried to be this year. However, I haven't been as connected this year. I've been in physical pain and we've been battling infertility. I know I have not been the same, I haven't had the energy or the patience. I've missed a lot for dr's appointments. I've been averaging 40-50 hours a week instead of 60 hours because I can't physically cope with it.
While, if there were specific things I could do better, I'd appreciate hearing them. However, something like "you're just not as enthusiastic as you used to be" would just crush me more. I feel so guilty about the fact that I'm not giving my kids as much as I want. It kills me, someone harping on it wouldn't really help.
Beyond that, as a society, we need to be more realistic. If we truly want talented teachers in our classroom, we can't require them to martyrs or robots who aren't impacted by their own lives, because that's not realistic and it is one reason that the good teachers don't always stick around.
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Thanks everyone! I know her personal life is none of my business and her absences are really between her and the director. I decided not to comment on that at all. Thanks for weighing in!
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@owlteach: this is a really awesome perspective. Thanks for sharing it
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@owlteach: thanks so much for sharing!
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@swedishfish: @owlteach: you both brought up great points. My second grade teacher was one of the most sought out teachers at my elementary school. Years after I was her student parents were upset she was not the same teacher. Turns out she was battling cancer. There was a comment made to her, "well you could have shared that with the class and made it a teachable moment." WTF! She's a teacher not a science experiment. She passed away the following school year.
Usually I think honesty is the best policy when it comes to feedback, but critiquing someone for taking leave or PTO is not fair.
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Yes, I would. As parents, especially in private daycare, we pay for a certain level of service. Consistency is extremely important.
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