I don't even know how to process, so please excuse the impending verbal diarrhea. We just got our student evaluations back. Overall I got good reviews, but some of the comments were just ridiculous. (Yes, I get it that I'm letting teenagers get under my skin.) There were definitely some kids who made constructive comments, and I will do my best to listen to them. Others though really just indicated that they either a. hated me, or b. thought that everything I did was crap. One kid even said I was "unfit" to teach them. Now, if you look at the percentages, this is a very small number, but I have no idea how all this information is processed.
The reality is that I try my best and work hard to help all of these kids. Do I think Chemistry moves too fast for most of them? Yes! What can I do about it though? There are 8 sections, and I have to stick to the same syllabus as everyone else since we give the same exam! Would they rather I slow down and then they not have all the material for the final? I'm just frustrated and worried because this is my first year here and I don't know what will come of these.
I really do think I generally do a good job, but I'm irritated and hurt right now.
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I would venture to say that if you looked at the persons comments and their grade..those that made bad comments are doing poorly and the ones that gave good comments are doing well.
ReplyDeleteTry not to let it get to you. It's hard being a teacher.
Kudos to you for trying to make a difference.
I always get mad looking at student evaluations. I give them at the end of the year and it BLOWS MY MIND at some of their answers. You have to look at the majority of the answers though. I completely understand your feelings being hurt...even if 1 student says something negative, you take it personally. Me too. Just remember, you can't please everyone!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry about it--the other teachers get bad reviews, too. I know I would take it really personally, too, though. :(
ReplyDeleteYou can't win 'em all, that's for sure. But it doesn't hurt any less when you get those bad evaluations back. I was shocked, shocked, when one of my students rated me "poor." I put so much time and effort into that semester teaching it was was really hurtful, in spite of the fact that all the others rated me "very good" or "excellent." It's in our nature to focus on the negative, unfortunately.
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