Day 11- Why Do Student Evaluations Feel So Personal?

Student feedback can sting and feel like a personal indictment on your character, but it's also a powerful tool for change.

Hey Fam,?

Thanks for stopping by.

Today, I will let you in on a secret of mine.?

One of the most challenging parts of teaching is reading student evaluation comments at the end of the semester. No matter how many positive comments I receive, those negative comments always send me down a rabbit hole of emotions. I want to tell you that I never take it personally and quickly let it go.?

But I'd be lying.

Some comments feel like a low blow that can make me forget the positive things I've done in the class and question myself. But after I sit with it for a while, I start to see how those harsh words can help me become a better educator and person overall.

Without fail, at the end of each semester, I stare at my computer, asking myself, "Why do student evaluations feel so personal?"

It's a mix of anticipation and fear, of hope and hesitance. If you are still reading this, my guess is that you, too, feel like student evaluations are more than "end-of-semester check boxes"; they're a reflection of our effectiveness through the eyes of our students. And yes, they can feel personal because, in many ways, they are. As educators, we pour our hearts into our students, hoping to mold minds and inspire thinkers. The feedback from those we teach … means something.

And yes, sometimes the truth hurts, but I've realized we can be pushed to grow through discomfort.?

I remember the end of my third semester of teaching. It was that time of the year when student evaluations began to roll in. It felt like waiting for a verdict. That semester, the feedback was more than a list of comments about what went right or wrong; it hit closer to home. A few students pointed out that they didn't feel included in class discussions, didn't see themselves in any of the course content, and that their voices were ignored and their feelings dismissed.?

This feedback sent me on an emotional roller coaster.?

At first, I was defensive. I thought I was doing my best to include everyone. But as I reread those comments, I saw an opportunity. It was a chance to grow, improve, and make my classroom a space where every student felt heard and valued.

I knew that I had to make a change. I never wanted my students to feel like that again.?

From that experience, I learned some valuable lessons.?

1- Inclusivity is a practice, not just an intention.?

It's not enough to want an inclusive classroom; you must actively make it happen.?

This meant rethinking how I built my curriculum and conducted discussions, making sure to encourage quieter students and setting norms that allowed for diverse voices to contribute.

2- Student feedback is a gift, even when it doesn't feel like one.?

Those evaluations helped me see a blind spot that I had missed.?

It's easy to overlook the quiet discomfort of those not engaged, but their perspective is important. I learned to ask for feedback regularly, not just at the end of the semester.

3- Teaching is a collective journey.?

The following semester, I began to share the feedback with my students anonymously, of course.?

We discussed it and brainstormed ways to improve our classroom environment together. This made the students feel involved and shared the responsibility for creating an inclusive space.

Student feedback can sting and feel like a personal indictment on your character (maybe just me), but it's also a powerful tool for change.?

It's a window into our students' experiences and an invitation to make our classrooms more inclusive. I challenge you to see beyond the initial discomfort of critiques. View student feedback as a roadmap to guide us toward a more inclusive educational journey.

When we do, we enrich the learning experiences of our students, which is why we do what we do. The next time you open those evaluations, look for the lessons hidden between the lines.?

They're there, waiting to help you craft a classroom where every student can shine.

I'm telling you this not because I've mastered it but because the more I tell others, the more I remind myself to do the same.?

Thanks for your time today.?I appreciate you.?

Much Love,

Dr. Jae