The Reliability of Classroom Observations by School Personnel

Andrew Hull is a social studies teacher at Palmyra Area High in Pennsylvania. He teaches AP microeconomics, economics, and sports history and serves as the head coach for the boys’ soccer team.

A new book, Better Feedback for Better Teaching, offers practical guidance for improving observer training, assessment, and monitoring so all educators can benefit from trustworthy observations that provide them with meaningful, accurate, and actionable feedback.

The connection between teachers and students is at the heart of learning. Our work focuses on ensuring that all teachers have the goals, skills and tools to form and strengthen that powerful bond with their students. The first step in doing that is asking teachers what works and what they need to strengthen the teacher-student bond—and then trusting and listening to what they tell us.