What are the best questions to ask during a teacher's performance evaluation?

1 Why do you teach?

This question may seem simple, but it can reveal a lot about your motivation, passion, and vision as a teacher. It can also help you connect with your evaluator on a personal level, and show them how you align your teaching philosophy with the school's mission and values. When answering this question, try to be specific, authentic, and enthusiastic. Explain what inspired you to become a teacher, what you enjoy most about your work, and what impact you want to have on your students and the community.

2 How do you plan your lessons?

This question can help you demonstrate your knowledge of the curriculum, the standards, and the best practices for effective instruction. It can also show how you differentiate your lessons to meet the diverse needs, interests, and abilities of your students. When answering this question, try to provide concrete examples of how you design, implement, and evaluate your lessons. Explain how you use data, feedback, and reflection to inform your planning, how you incorporate various strategies and resources to engage your students, and how you assess their learning outcomes and progress.

3 How do you manage your classroom?

This question can help you showcase your skills in creating a positive, safe, and productive learning environment for your students. It can also show how you handle various challenges and issues that may arise in your classroom, such as behavior problems, conflicts, or disruptions. When answering this question, try to highlight the rules, routines, and expectations that you establish and reinforce with your students. Explain how you use praise, rewards, and consequences to motivate and discipline your students, how you foster a culture of respect, collaboration, and inclusion among your students, and how you communicate and collaborate with parents and other stakeholders.

4 How do you collaborate with others?

This question can help you display your professionalism, collegiality, and leadership as a teacher. It can also show how you contribute to the school's culture, goals, and improvement. When answering this question, try to emphasize the benefits and challenges of working with others, and how you overcome them. Explain how you participate in professional learning communities, peer observations, and mentoring programs, how you share your expertise, ideas, and resources with other teachers, and how you seek and provide feedback and support to your colleagues.

5 How do you grow as a teacher?

This question can help you illustrate your commitment to continuous learning and development as a teacher. It can also show how you identify your strengths and areas of improvement, and how you pursue your professional goals. When answering this question, try to be honest, reflective, and proactive. Explain how you use various sources of feedback, such as evaluations, surveys, or portfolios, to assess your performance and progress, how you select and access relevant and meaningful professional development opportunities, such as courses, workshops, or conferences, and how you apply and share your learning with your students and peers.