About Feedback to Students

Why all the fuss about feedback?  For any teacher seeking to improve impact on students, this is one way you provide a safe, supportive, and challenging learning environment, which is essential in Component 3.

During a project-based learning unit, one of my teacher-friends was observed by a coach.  The coach told her that she said, "Good Job!" too much.  He said this was positive, but didn't move students forward.  He said, "If you say good job after every interaction with students, then how do they know when they've really done a good job?"  My friend knew it was just a habit, rather than a way she truly offered feedback to students.

If you are still wondering how to address the issue of student feedback, here are some tips from Edutopia.

Ah-Mazing Ah-portunity!

The Component 3 Intensive was so successful that we are designing the Component 4 Intensive!  It's tentatively planned for February 21st at Bridgeport High School 3:30-5:30.  We have a special surprise for you so think seriously about attending if you will be submitting Component 4 in May!  :-)

A candidate from last year said to me yesterday:  "I was making lesson plans this weekend and thought, 'Now how am I going to prove they learned this material?'"  (She had discovered her strengths were in planning and implementing instruction but her weakness was in assessment--candidacy has changed her teaching life forever!)

#ExcitedforYou
#RespectforYourWork

Blind Reader Program Available to Candidates

Guest Post by Cari Levake

Harrison County NBCT Support Cohort is excited to announce the Blind Reader Program, designed to support candidates as they develop the written portion of their components. 

Our goal is to provide candidates with timely feedback from NBCT Readers. Candidates will be able to send their papers to a designated “Go Between”, who will forward it on to the Reader in order to keep both parties anonymous. The “Go Betweens” will be Elissa Whelchel and myself. We will keep track of the candidate’s number, the NBCT Reader, and the dates submitted as a means of accountability on all parts. 

Here is more about how the program works:

STEP 1: The candidate will submit a Blind Reader Cover Sheet (an electronic copy will be sent to you) along with their paper to their designated “Go Between.” 

STEP 2: The “Go Between” will send the paper to a NBCT Reader. The Reader may or may not be in your certification area depending upon the availability and demand. Please keep in mind, they are limited by the NB ethical codes of conduct as to what kind of input they can give. Their main role is to ask guiding questions to help you further develop your ideas and how they relate to the standards. 

STEP 3:  The Reader provides feedback within 2 weeks and returns the paper to the “Go Between” who in turn passes it back to the candidate.  

  We encourage you to not wait until the last minute! This can be done at any stage of the writing process. If further feedback is needed, we can also try to arrange for you to meet with your Reader to discuss your questions. 

As a newly certified NBCT teacher who benefited from the support of this cohort, I look forward to supporting you as you travel on this path of professional development.

Best Wishes!

Cari Levake, NBCT

EL Specialist

Harrison County Schools