Evaluation Report Example

Peter Hess

Midyear Evaluation 2014

At this midyear point I would lie to take the opportunity to thank you for the ways you help us all bring something better to our game. In your work with department heads and TLT, with directors, with coaching, and as a remarkably special colleague, you always add wisdom, and encouragement to every undertaking. You often work quietly, behind the scenes, so that not everyone is even aware of the full value of all you give to Brewster. As well, you seize critical moments for forging plans that can advance the academic program wither with teaching practices, technology, or evaluation tools. The way you work with others so effectively resonates clearly in various things you do for Brewster.

This year you took on a significant increase in class observations. In spite of that additional load, you continued to provide mentoring and supervision for classroom teachers that is truly a model of how to do it all, and do it right. In surveys completed by faculty, your averages were remarkable, ranging from 3.5 to 3.9 with an overall average of 3.82. You received all 4s on providing expert advice for implementing practices with integrity and a 3.92 for implementing class management strategies. All comments speak to the high regard faculty have for your leadership, your integrity and your support. It is significant that faculty commenting on your observations of classes all underscore the fact that faculty feel you are able to inspire them to want to use feedback because you have clear, high standards, and you are able to offer feedback that encourages people to see improvement goals as exciting challenges.

Another area where the quality of your interactions is easily seen is with your coaching. Once again, you have taken on coaching JV Basketball and I fully appreciate what a demand this places on you. Last season, the student surveys averaged 92.5% and the comments kids wrote are another area where it is evident that people you work with value your teaching/mentoring/coaching, and they love working with you. As one student writes, “Practices were always fun while at the same time the team worked hard and we were able to enjoy ourselves and improve at the same time.” I observe the way your kids connect to you when they see you off the court, and it is very clear your have built a sense of team and respect with them. I see a similar quality of experience anytime I am involved in working with you, Peter. You always lend expertise that I and others value, and you are always able to help whatever group you are working with feel comfortable, confident, and focused.

The value of having program practices be delivered with quality cannot be overstated, as it impacts everything teachers and teaching teams try to accomplish. The high averages faculty earn in their student surveys are very much connected to the superior quality of your supervision. The confidence parents express in the teaching teams and the Brewster Program is a direct result of the high quality of program you have led us to develop and implement. Keeping real quality in the curriculum and its implementation requires close supervision, constant tweaking, and leadership that encourages and inspires. You give us that every day, Peter.

I am appreciative of specific initiatives you have undertaken this year that add to our potential to evolve program. You have established a wonderful working relationship with the new tech director, helping him target best ways to allow his expertise to work in service to teaching. The Moodle training you set up for faculty was well planned and implemented, and we can see the benefit in the ways faculty are making use of Moodle, and looking for more training. Similarly, the iMovie training you coordinated for inservice was appreciated by faculty and designed nicely to dovetail with project mentoring.

You have also challenged the Teaching and Learning Team to assess department curriculum with an eye toward assessments to consider the match between what is taught and what is tested. It has already created compelling discussions, and I applaud your leadership in this important area. I found myself learning anew as you pushed us all to dig into this topic. And, here again, I found myself inspired and challenged rather than daunted by a demanding undertaking. Thank you, Peter, for this, and for all the ways you nudge us to be better.

Respectfully,

Marilyn Shea

Academic Dean