{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"45177570","dateCreated":"1319795567","smartDate":"Oct 28, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lsuters","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lsuters","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1288056444\/lsuters-lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/eled3152seniors2011.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/45177570"},"dateDigested":1532174234,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Discussion on TAP rubric and TEAM Evaluation System","description":"After being introduced to the rubric and the evaluation system, what thoughts do you have? What's good about it? What potential drawbacks can it have? What goals do you have for yourself during student teaching based on this model? Anything else come to mind?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"45249642","body":"The TAP training made me a whole lot more comfortable with the new evaluation, that I have been hearing horror stories about. I have always felt that the ten-year that was already in place was unfair at times. I felt this because I know that there are a few teachers who get their ten-year and then just feel that they don't need to work as hard because they have job security. The new evaluation system that we learned seems like it really helps with this fact. I do think that it will be very nerve racking when being evaluated, but I feel less nervous about it since the training now. I definitely feel like I know a lot more about the new evaluation system and that I will be more comfortable about it when I am a teacher. I also think that some of the things listed on the TAP Rubric are very good things to look for in a teacher. One thing that I like a lot is having the standards listed somewhere for the students to see. I personally think that having the standards up where the students can see them is a great idea. This gives the students a purpose for the lesson that they are about to start. Some students need to know the purpose for what they are doing, before they will even want to engage in the activity. It also helps the teacher know exactly what it is that she is wanting to teach to her students. When I first heard about this evaluation system I was very scared, but now I feel that it was much needed and that it will be better in the long run for teachers and for students.","dateCreated":"1319925130","smartDate":"Oct 29, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"jlcoleman1","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/jlcoleman1","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45254664","body":"After Friday\u2019s TAP rubric and TEAM evaluation workshop, I feel so much better about my future evaluations. Knowledge is power and by simply becoming more informed regarding what is expected of us as teachers (formal evaluation wise); I feel that it will definitely benefit us in the long run. For months, I have heard numerous stories about how dreadfully awful the new evaluation system is, but after yesterday I am not nearly as scared or as intimidate as I was before. I also was very pleased that we were able to physically watch the two lessons, taught by teachers with completely different levels of teaching ability. The first lesson was a great example of what we need to strive for as educators and the second lesson was polar opposite. But, by having these two examples (along with their scores), I feel much more prepared by knowing what they are looking for.
\n
\nI also (for the most part) like the evaluation layout. It is designed to thoroughly evaluate you as a teacher, show you your strengths and weaknesses, and gives you an opportunity to grow as an educator. The only current drawback that I see is the achievability of a \u201c5\u201d. If even the absolute best teachers don\u2019t score 5\u2019s it\u2019s discouraging to set a goal, knowing that it is unlikely you will reach it. (This is just for me personally though.)
\n
\nAs for my own personal goals, I plan to go ahead and make a conscious attempt to begin aligning my lesson plans and lessons with the TAP rubric. By doing so I believe it will be a good habit to get into and will better prepare me for the future.","dateCreated":"1319939209","smartDate":"Oct 29, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"SLLloyd42","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/SLLloyd42","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1284082571\/SLLloyd42-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45275200","body":"I learned a lot in the TAP rubric and TEAM Evaluation workshop. Like everyone I have heard negative feedback on the new evaluations. I had a little different take on it because from what I was hearing it seemed like the resistance was to evaluation of any kind not this specific evaluation. I can see how the possibility of losing tenure could be scary and possibly insulting to someone who has taught successfully for 20 or 30 years. I spoke to one newer teacher who was used to being evaluated because of job changes and she wasn't upset by the new system at all. I think for those of us starting out it will be just another part of the job.
\n
\nI think the evaluations are thorough and cover all aspects of teaching. Having a copy of the rubric will help us focus our lessons to the new requirements. Like Samantha, I am concerned that scoring a 5 seems out of reach for most teachers. No one can hit those kinds of goals 100 % so we may have to adjust our expectations and know that a 4 is a great score.
\n
\nI hope that the evaluations will be used to make every teacher better. It seems like they are set up to work in that way and I think it will be up to administrators to make sure that teachers receive the support that they need to improve.
\n
\nI saw several items that I can improve on in my own teaching. Specifically stating the goal of the lesson and continually coming back to it throughout the lesson is something I will have to work on. I think that is a great way to keep both myself, and the students on task.
\n
\nOverall I am glad that we were able to participate in the workshop. I have a much better understanding of the system and what I can do to succeed in my future evaluations.","dateCreated":"1319997157","smartDate":"Oct 30, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"weltonaa","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/weltonaa","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1284587601\/weltonaa-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45276338","body":"Our workshop was such a great experience. The rubric is a valuable tool to use to guide my teaching. This rubric allowed me to look at my personal teaching style and how to improve upon it. Any teacher could build their teaching skills by reading this document. It is also helpful to be prepared for a future in the classroom.
\n
\nThe videos were also a powerful tools to look at different teaching styles. It was interesting to see the difference between the two teachers. The importance of planning was evident in both videos. My only concern about the videos would be the 'scripted' nature in which some of the children seemed to follow. Overall, the training is a good experience for preservice teachers to have.","dateCreated":"1319998767","smartDate":"Oct 30, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"WendyWoods","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/WendyWoods","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322240787\/WendyWoods-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45279542","body":"I agree with Wendy and the rubric is a valuable tool for teaching. I believe that it will align with my goals as a teacher. After the training I feel more prepared to go into a classroom. It is more detailed and there is more work required. However, our students will benefit more in the long run. The videos were great to watch. It gave me an idea of what to do and what not to do. I am more confident now, and I know that I could create a lesson that would align with the Taps evaluation system.","dateCreated":"1320004029","smartDate":"Oct 30, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"cjbass42","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/cjbass42","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1284326638\/cjbass42-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45291134","body":"I am thankful to have gotten the opportunity to participate in the TAP training. You were right when you said that knowledge is power. I think having the rubric and going through what each section meant helped me understand what they look for during their observations. Saturday I talked with a 2nd grade teacher that goes to my church about it and got a better understanding of what it was like to be evaluated. She told me she got all threes and was pretty stressed out this year. I really do not like the idea of being observed using this rubric . I think there is way too much that needs to be covered. They should shorten it and not even have a five. Why have something that most will never get to see? That only makes teachers feel like they are not doing a great job. I think that if this is still being used if I teach, then I am going to shoot for a three. What is the point of setting yourself up for failure when striving for the unattainable five? If test scores go up in the next couple of years that is great, but all I see is this making teachers more stressed and dissatisfied.","dateCreated":"1320020850","smartDate":"Oct 30, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"moriah21","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/moriah21","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1322505797\/moriah21-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45292330","body":"After attending the TAP and TEAM Workshop I feel much better about the evaluations. I think being exposed to it and reading over what is expected for each score is a big advantage to us. I felt kind of intimidated by it when I first heard about it, but I feel a little at ease now.
\nI definitely think watching the videos and scoring the teachers really helped me to see how classroom management is the key to success. I really liked scoring these teachers it helped me too see things that I need to work on myself. I also think it was really cool that we could see that our training that we are going through with TNTech is to our advantage. I feel that our preparation is very valuable, and no doubt we have learned from the best.
\n
\nThere is one quote from a video we watched "Learning is a journey, not a destination. There is always room for growth." Truer words have never been spoken. I think as a teacher you have to be willing to learn all the time. I learn new things everyday, and I think this workshop definitely helped me. I know what to expect.
\nI do see things that I will try in the classroom to make it better. I didn't know that the students were suppose to be exposed to their standards covered. I never was. I think that is a really good thing for them to be able to see what goals they are trying to reach. They will then have a sense of accomplishment when reaching their goals.
\n
\nThe evaluation process seems stressful, but I think as long as you do your job and give 100% everyday you should be fine.","dateCreated":"1320022376","smartDate":"Oct 30, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"kittst","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/kittst","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1460213667\/kittst-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45295530","body":"After being introduces to the TAP rubric, I was much less intimidated tahn before. I feel at somewhat of an advantage know going into my teaching career with this new evaluation sustem and more prepared. I think it is a pretty far system that looks at a lot of aspects that were looked over in the past; more in depth. The only disadvantage, I believe, is not being able to see the "lesson at the time of evaluation, develop furthe into the week. Most lessons taught are not finished in the one setting that is being evaluated. It definitely seems like it will eliminate those "teachers" who are insufficient or do not enjoy their job. There will always be changes such as this to occur in the course of our career, so it is jsut best if we are able to adapt ad give 100% as Tiffany stated above. It is all overwhelming and intimidating when looking at the big picture, but at the same time it is thrilling ot be apart of something that is always improving. Thus, the reason we apire to teach. Just like in the presentaions we watched during the workshop, a teacher stated: "Learning is a journey, not a destination. There is always room for growth." So, I believe this is just a way to help us rather than punish us. If we are doing our jobs, it will not effect us negativly.","dateCreated":"1320026373","smartDate":"Oct 30, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"BrittanyFerguson","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/BrittanyFerguson","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1335225447\/BrittanyFerguson-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45299100","body":" Each girl has discussed and made some very important points. I love how Amiee mentioned that maybe this evaluation will be used to make us better teacher. I hope that when I begin teaching, I do not get lost in all of the lesson plans, evaluations, test, and standards, and remember why I am truly there. To reach and meet the needs of my students educationally. To expose them to the world so that they learn and become all they can be. When I walked into the school on Friday, I honestly didn't have a clue what we were actually going to be discussing. I mean I knew it was some type of evaluation for teachers, that was scary and causing a lot of confusion, but that is about as far as it went. After being introduced to the Tap rubric and evaluation system, I feel much more knowledgeable. It seemed scary at first but now that we broke it apart and dissect it, it doesn't seem so horrible. The good thing about it is, I think that if everyday we strive to meet the standards of this evaluation than we will be a very beneficial teacher. I like how there were formal and informal visits that were known and unknown, that way I feel like since the teacher doesn't know, than they are always prepared and have plans. I agree with what we discussed in class, maybe one downfall might be that not being able to fit a whole lesson with closer into one evaluation and how it might be beneficial to have it over a couple day span or something. What if maybe your students do not grasp the concept and you have to slow down the pace? I am sure that this scary, overwhelming feeling that I felt before the workshop on Friday, is the same feeling that teachers today feel as they were introduced or begin preparing for their own evaluation. I feel like my class kind of has an upper hand or advantage. We were given a chance to learn and discuss before we had to experience it. It is no longer going to be such a shock for us. We do not know any different so therefor we do not have to adjust our instruction. Will there be other changes during our teaching career, I am sure, but as for now I think we are entering at a good time. I think that this will be very beneficial for us in the future and I am very lucky to be given this experience.","dateCreated":"1320030544","smartDate":"Oct 30, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"mnseiber","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/mnseiber","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1320026968\/mnseiber-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45299506","body":"After attending the TAP and TEAM workshop I feel much more comfortable with the evaluation system. From what I heard about it prior to the workshop, it sounded scary, intimidating, and over whelming. It still seems a bit over whelming but is definitely not as scary as I thought it was. The system makes sense and seems like an effective way to keep teachers accountable for what they are teaching. It seems that this system will also weed out some of those teachers that should not be in the field. The drawback would be for teachers to adjust to it. I think some teachers a little overwhelmed and are still having to adjust to the new system. Once teachers get used to it, I think it is going to be a good system. During my student teaching I plan to use this model to help me plan and prepare for my own lessons. This system will definitely be a tool to keep us accountable.","dateCreated":"1320031108","smartDate":"Oct 30, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"nstooks","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/nstooks","imageUrl":"https:\/\/ssl.wikicdn.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45357846","body":"Before this workshop I did not know hardly anything about the new evaluation system. What little I did know was bad comments that I had heard from numerous people. This TAP workshop really opened my eyes. I could not believe that before this year teachers only had to be evaluated twice in ten years. I think that is absolutely crazy. I have to say that I felt as if this is a positive thing in many ways. As a mother, I think it is important for each teacher to be evaluated. I want to know that my child\u2019s teacher can take responsibility for teaching him for a whole year of his life. This evaluation system should ease every parent\u2019s minds.
\nAs a pre-service teacher I have to say I think there are positives and negatives, just like with anything really. I want to be the best teacher possible and the rubric gives me a goal to strive for. Everything on there under the 3\u2019s and the 5\u2019s are things that we should already be doing, therefor these evaluations should not be frowned on. I also see negative aspects too though. Some of the 5\u2019s seem unrealistic and out of reach. For example a lot of the things said, all or always, this doesn\u2019t seem reachable to me. Even though all teachers want to achieve everything always, I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s possible. Also, a lot of the goals seem kind of vague.
\nBased on this model, I hope to look at this rubric during my student teaching and really think about these things when making my lesson plan. I think that the things listed on this rubric are great for our students and I hope to be able to achieve a high rating with it. I like that with this rubric we can look at all the different areas and think about our lesson plan and from there we can change and add things to make our lesson even better.
\nAs you can see there are many positives and negatives to this new system. All in all I believe that this is a huge step in the right direction for our education system. I do think that it may need some tweaking in the future, but I do think that something was needed and I hope to see more positive changes in the future.","dateCreated":"1320109689","smartDate":"Oct 31, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"MsJessica","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/MsJessica","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1319247703\/MsJessica-lg.jpg"}},{"id":"45570992","body":"It was great to read all of your opinions about the workshop and how it will impact you as you enter your career. It's best to look at things as positively as you can because you will be a much happier teacher if attempt to align to the high standards that have been set. After you've had experience under your belt, I would expect that many of you will make 5's in many categories but not necessarily all because as you mentioned, it's not realistic to be perfect all the time. But, people do & will earn 5's on individual categories & have an average that falls within the range of 5. I heard the superintendent of Knox County on the radio this morning talking about the evaluation system and he mentioned something about the scoring ranging from a 1 of unacceptable to a 5 as an exceptional teacher. I think having a goal to earn 3's and 4's on a regular basis is fantastic - that is where you need to be. Although we'd love for every teacher to be "exceptional" all the time & for every category, it's just not realistic & you shouldn't beat yourself up when you are evaluated and don't earn all 5's. Do the best you can do and always strive to keep learning and growing as a teacher. I know you all can do it!!","dateCreated":"1320346640","smartDate":"Nov 3, 2011","userCreated":{"username":"lsuters","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lsuters","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/pic\/1288056444\/lsuters-lg.jpg"}}],"more":7}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}