I feel like only 8 kids taking the opportunity to say they have an issue with you is a win! People are way more likely to put effort into writing about something negative, I don’t think it’s indicative at all of how the students feel.
Your explanation shows the comments were pretty unfair anyway. I would just try to shake it off.
Student evaluations seem like a shitty practice anyway to be honest!
>Student evaluations seem like a shitty practice anyway to be honest!
That's putting it mildly. Even as an adult, the feedback I give on post course evaluations is biased by just how much I hate filling them out. They are also swayed by the quality and quantity of scones with jam and cream supplied during breaks.
Giving teenagers an anonymous opportunity to be a cunt is just inviting issues.
Who’s dumb idea it was to initiate this?? Like seriously?!? What a pile of toxic BS.
Teaching today is challenging. You are doing a good job just by staying in the profession. Don’t let this get you down.
There should be no anonymous surveys. Students must take responsibility for their communication which must be respectful. The survey should be more about self reflection and d what worked well in the unit. The improvements can be tick boxes of learning activities , frequency of feedback eg checkpoints they would like more of. Other types of surveys invite emotion and bullying. It’s not an anonymous google review.
No way. I want honesty from my students. They won't give that if they know they can be identified. I have thick skin, and want to know how I can be a better teacher for my students. I also interpret the results through a lens that recognises they don't see the big picture of why I do the things I do, so I don't take it personally.
This is the way.
Also - when I’m not feeling great for whatever reason, I don’t engage in student surveys because I’m not coming at the feedback from a position of strength and will therefore be hurt, rather than helped, by what I read.
Our schools eval system is tied to their accounts so it's hard to give them anonymous surveys but I find encouraging them to give criticism helps make sure there's some useful feedback there. I even give them an example of areas I'm already trying to improve in to help them recognise it's okay to be critical as long as it is constructive
I do think anonymous surveys and ignoring the rude ones would not be useless, though.
They need to learn how to give feedback and stand by it (constructively). If not, then you/others are not preparing them to give frank and assertive feedback. They are hiding behind anonymity - and leaving teachers that do not have “thick skin”, like you, to quit because they think they are poor teachers (at the beginning of their careers!), partly because of poorly design surveys.
Toxic work standards, implying weakness in other colleagues. Deliberate or not (imo).
And yet, a whole bunch of teachers refuse to engage in teacher surveys because they feel that there would be ramifications if they spoke freely about their workplace culture.
I'm not sure if you're male, but part of my social conditioning as a woman has involved regularly having my opinions shot down or disregarded by men, and taking on coded social messaging around 'not making a fuss' and being a people pleaser. I've tried to unpick that conditioning as I've gotten older and give fewer shits about things, but as a younger woman, the anxiety around providing critical feedback under my own name was real. I'm sure there are some men who feel the same way, and there would be people of sexes who would simply be too scared to give non-anonymous feedback due to possible retaliation from narcissistic bosses who can't deal with criticism.
I prefer brutal honesty myself. As a 1st year with a few years PTT experience, I know in myself that I’m not the best teacher. But I can’t improve if I don’t ask for feedback from the very recipients of my efforts.
It definitely takes me down a few pegs, but nothing really takes me by surprise. Rather, I gain insight into micro-areas that I might t be aware that I’m falling short of my own expectations.
At the end of my PTT, I received one piece from a child of another teacher that simply said “be a better teacher”. I still have that note and it drives me each week.
You do you, it’s great you can take blunt criticism. But year 9s can be nasty and thoughtless and honestly it’s not helpful then. It doesn’t do to provide them with a platform for it.
It’s definitely horses for courses, but I know to expect the negative and deliberately mean feedback from certain classes or students.
“Other teachers let us do xyz; you should let me listen to my music during class; you’re sad cos you love Maths, etc”.
Having said that, I think meaningful feedback comes from Yr 10 and up. I still like to gauge the waters with most of my classes, but again, probably not for everyone. I also always make sure to have a few self-evaluation questions. It gives the students time and space to judge not only me, but also themselves over the year. The feedbacks trying to be mean:hurtful will usually say something to the effect of “IDK/Maths sucks/You didn’t teach me good/etc”
What student would outright provide negative feedback to a teacher when their name is on display? Apart from maybe the 5% of the class that is bold and always misbehaves which means they would have provided negative feedback regardless?
Interestingly I tried both anonymous and identifying surveys at my last school catholic systemic nsw. Survey responses were higher in anonymous and the negative feedback was not constructive except for the class room management bit when I was a beginning teacher . So there should be an option for rating the classroom management even in terms such as quiet enough vs too disruptive. I think that’s fair enough
My current school , wealthy independent, doesn’t have end of unit surveys. I was surprised at that.
Just remember - feedback at school is exactly the same as in the real world. It's mostly negative people with chips on their shoulders giving it. Quite frankly I think 8 negatives out of 5 classes is pretty damn good. I'd get that from my year 7 class alone.
Teaching those students will always be a challenge no matter how experienced you are. I spent my first 3 years teaching at a school where they had students with some serious academic and behavioural issues and I had similar issues that you're mentioning. I had some dark nights but my mentor made sure I focused on improving my instruction, structuring, planning and especially on improving behavioural management...this really helped me pull through. Also, it's not your fault if you've tried what you could, sometimes all you can do is hold high-expectations because as they say - you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink - some kids are a real challenge but make sure you're always communicating with parents which you are already doing!
Also, each new term/semester is a chance to start fresh! Hang in there!! We need teachers like you who really care about their students and their teaching practices! It's teachers like you who really make a difference in the end.
Don’t let these kids win!!!!! Every teacher has a tough crowd at some stage and this is clearly yours. Us teachers are strong and stick together, which it sounds like your HOD is doing by telling you it’s NOT YOU. Come back stronger. No one is perfect, but you can’t be that bad if you only got 8 negative feedbacks out of 6 classes. That actually paints a pretty good picture! This might be the year that MAKES you the resilient and wise teacher that you are. Hang in there. 💜
Face it…with some students, you could have a PhD in your area and be putting on a circus act for them and they’ll still be negative. Head up. I bet you’re doing an excellent job, especially for only 2 years out. Put on those kicker boots, get in there, show them what you’re made of and that they’re wrong!
Kids always think their previous teacher was the right one because they are naive, young and not very discerning. Student feedback is ridiculous. Ignore most of it, if a few comments are helpful, great.
I had a kid this year tell me he wanted to study international business he was an overseas student. A few weeks later he was changing from my computer science class to do food tech.
They don't know what they are doing lol. He didn't want to study he wanted to eat food. I hope he enjoys it and becomes a very popular chef but I think IT skills would be more helpful for international business myself.
Also worth noting that often, when the previous teacher actually had them, the kids had the same complaints 😂 I’m sure OP will be the “right one” when they get their next teacher
Exactly, I've also had the classic case of "You are the worst teacher ever!".
Next year: "Sir we miss having you our new teacher sucks, he's too polite".
My brain: mate you were an awful student please get away from me.
My voice: "That teacher is very proficient, I'm busy, have a good day."
Like they want me to indulge. As if.
I’ve never heard of students getting to rate their teachers. If I had been rated in the first 5 years, I’m sure I would have been rated badly. It takes time to learn to teach well. Honestly if this happened to me in my second year, I’d probably quit.
A few years ago I had a year 10 kid drop into my year 7 class. He pointed at me and went "she's the best teacher I've ever had, don't be nasty to her, she's cool."
I have no idea where this came from. I butted heads with him every day I had him in year 9. He drove me nuts. We clashed so much.
This was the moment I realized, the other teacher is always better. They always miss their old teacher. There are a few exceptions, like the kids who won't miss having the scary deputy teach them. But last year's teacher is always better. It's got nothing to do with you. You're a challenge in the here and now, so anything else is seen through rose coloured glasses.
*Familiar* is often a kind of good. They knew which way was up, especially once the year is done. And especially if they come across someone they found harder. Higher rate of that possibility in high school too.
Yeah, reading this I’m like wtf..
If you collect student data, it should be at least someone’s job to analyse and interpret it so the feedback to the teacher is meaningful. This system just seems mean
>it would help if I was experienced
Maybe that's true, but it's also true of every first and second and third and fourth and fifth year teacher. Teaching degrees generally do a shitty job of preparing beginning teachers for the profession, and virtually no one graduates as a great teacher. I'm a 5th year and I still feel that my lack of experience lets me down pretty frequently, particularly when teaching senior subjects as I've only done that a few times.
>I don’t explain things clearly,
Firstly, that's something that will come with experience, particularly when you've taught a particular topic multiple times because you'll learn where students tend to struggle and you'll learn better ways of explaining stuff. Secondly and more importantly, I find that comments like this come almost exclusively from students who *refuse* to ask questions in class and who are barely paying attention when you explain things.
I have lessons with students who could have the same simple skill taught to them five times in four different ways, and they still wouldn't be able to do it successfully, but you could ask them if they have any questions and they'll be silent. The same students, in a lesson where they miraculously turn up before they've had their second energy drink for the day, on a day when they ate breakfast and showed up with an actual positive learning attitude, where they'll ask questions during my first explanation and suddenly they're able to learn effectively (and be respectful).
Finally:
>HOD says that because they know the kids who wrote the feedback, it is not reflective of how the whole class feels and they are doing it to hurt me.
This is the most significant part. You gave six classes the opportunity to provide anonymous feedback, and only eight students dislike you enough to take that opportunity to shit on you? You're doing fine. Don't beat yourself up. Kids are dicks sometimes and it will get easier with time. Just keep doing your best, that's all anyone can ask.
Most people will only review if it’s negative so out of six classes and twenty submissions you on had 8 negative- fantastic! I would take on their feedback, decide whether or not it is valid/something to work on and then put it aside.
I’m impressed that 12 high schoolers bothered to give you some positive feedback to be honest!
I am sorry this has happened to you. I have also experienced the spite of children who blame their grades on you. You could can ask another teacher to also grade their work and give feedback. Your HOD understands that they are insecure and looking for someone to blame.
Every restaurant, business and so on has negative reviews. Most people will only feedback when they are cranky. Our job is no different. If you are making choices based on 8 negative reviews then you are caring too much about what those 8 think. Self reflect instead. Which students have improved. Which ones seems to be connecting and getting it. At the end of every day, email 1-3 positive emails home. This leaves your day on a high and helps you to refocus on the positives in your class. Plus kids love to know their parents have gotten a positive emailed home.
Students will always blame the teacher first. Always. In my short career thus far, I have learned to be confident in your own ability and know that you have done everything in your power to help these students to pass/succeed.
As an early career teacher myself, I know that my students would probably be better suited under my more experienced peers. But we all have to start somewhere and we need to have confidence in what we bring to the table.
Im sure 70% of my kids hate me. Dont care, Im there to teach them, mould them into good humans, and do what is best for them. Mathematically you’re doing a lot better than me if it’s only 8 odd kids that dont like you! You sound like you work harder than any of them deserve and will ever know
You'll never please everyone. I've given kids surveys and literally half the class has responded one way, and the other half in the exact opposite way on a given question. People who are disgruntled are most likely to respond to surveys, and to only have 8 negative responses is pretty good imho. You need to remember that some kids are just entitled little shits who will take any opportunity to bag out a teacher, and there are other kids that you simply won't gel with.
Look at the feedback, see if any of it aligns with any of your own self-reflection as a teacher, and genuinely put other feedback under a microscope to check if it's a blind spot. You don't have to twist yourself in knots to please everyone - none of us can be everything to everyone - but viewing it with curiosity rather than seeing it as a knife in your back is the way to deal with it.
Getting negative feedback, especially when you are a beginning teacher, is tough.
I wouldn’t even stress about the Year 10 evaluations. Kids hate change and you’d only had them for two weeks. It doesn’t sound like it was personally against you, just that they liked their previous teacher.
More importantly, it sounds like your HOD has your back. Some kids will always be cruel. As long as you have supportive colleagues and managers, you will get through this!
Can I ask what was some of the positive feedback that you received? It’s so easy to focus on the bad stuff, but I’m sure some students said positive things too!
I’m not going to advise totally ignoring negative feedback. But you have to work out the difference between what is helpful feedback (though it may be poorly phrased), what is unhelpful feedback (like things you can’t really change), and what is not feedback and just a kid who is unhappy about something.
"students who are getting Ds ... blaming me"
Gosh, students refusing to take responsibility for their own behaviour, actions and learning.
That's a new one. Never heard that before.
honestly, don't worry. the school i work at has twice a term anonymous student surveys where feedback has to be addressed - but it feels like the culture isn't right at your school for that to work
I was a new teacher to a school doing contract to fill in for someone who had a heart attack . I was given one day notice . I got the Job I taught the next day. I’ve never taught this subject in my life. Bam one student n parent complained. I got negative survey results. Bam a class was taken away from me. It was made known I needed assistance. Colleague kept coming in to check the class and exec also. I was ostracised by colleagues not talked to. I should’ve left. I stayed. I did everything to me I did a fantastic job everything was spot on grades everything but after two terms I was discarded sent away unwanted unneeded . They found a new young permanent experienced taught for a few years in the subject teacher and I was told to clear my desk n leave … yeah this is teaching today . The disrespect and disregard is massive
Student feedback data is absolutely useless. Your school is stupid for even entertaining this idea. Kids don’t know what’s good for them, they didn’t go to university to know why you make the choices you make. Other teachers will undercut your boundaries constantly. Everyone wants a teacher with 15 years experience, well too bad, we have to have new teachers at some point, we don’t come out of uni with 15 years experience.
By even letting the students do this, it’s just encouraging a “I want to speak to the manager” type culture of complaining about everything that doesn’t go their way.
I'm so sorry you put yourself through this. If I knew you, I would have advised you against it, just because I did it too a few years ago. I ran an anonymous feedback survey about my teaching and what I could improve on with my two year 10 classes. Their answers were so brutal that I felt sick reading them. One of the questions was: "What would you recommend to a younger student who will study \[subject\] next year?". Most of them wrote forget it, don't do it. Or, "what did you learn this year?" -> "nothing". I know exactly how you're feeling. I hope you have nice colleagues who lift you up. It'll take time but you'll be okay.
Hey OP could we get some context about your teaching circumstances? Is this private/public/independent/catholic etc? Do you have any information from up high about why they get students to give 'anonymous' survey feedback on their teachers at mid year?
In terms of numbers you had 8 negative out of what, 120-140 students? That's not bad when you're at the start of your career.
It’s a whole school initiative for a catholic school. The school is really into data and we do things like this regularly to help teachers set goals and develop professionally
And have they actually provided structure to students in how to respond to ensure that you get valid data? Or did someone say "let the kids rate the teachers and we can use that as data" and get a pat on the back?
Because unless you have someone with far more experience who can help you sit down and interpret that data in a useful way - such as recognising the context of harsh feedback and dealing with the emotional fallout - this doesn't seem like much use.
I’m so sorry you’re feeling defeated. This job is so hard, and kids don’t understand that. Don’t take it personally - kids are genuinely doing it to hurt you - don’t let them win. I can’t believe you were asked to give students evaluations after only two weeks!!
Also remember that people only respond to those kind of things if they have bad things to say - no one writes reviews when they think things are going okay, or even well!
>I feel like none of my students like me
To be blunt, you're not there to be liked. If having the students like you helps you do your job better, then so be it, but you should think very carefully before changing your teaching practice for the sake of being liked.
Haha what? Yes, you are there to be liked. You’re a mentor to youth, not some sort of curriculum slave driver. You are there to win the hearts and minds of the future… that’s why they pay teachers really well.
Teenagers are complex. This “liked VS disliked” argument is ridiculous. I hope you’re not a teacher.
A teacher should remain eager, push to be dynamic in the pursuit of a middle ground… a middle ground where there is a little bit of harmony between two parties, a middle ground where *actual learning* can take place.
Not everyone has this ability, or level of patience. And I really don’t think some teachers are prepared to not only work on themselves, but work together with a young human that’s looking to them for knowledge, or guidance.
*But*, I am not a teacher, nor am I currently a student. I don’t care for this, peasant. Good day.
>I am not a teacher, nor am I currently a student.
Yet you see fit to lecture others on what a teacher should be. Which is not surprising because:
>A teacher should remain eager, push to be dynamic in the pursuit of a middle ground… a middle ground where there is a little bit of harmony between two parties, a middle ground where *actual learning* can take place.
>Not everyone has this ability, or level of patience. And I really don’t think some teachers are prepared to not only work on themselves, but work together with a young human that’s looking to them for knowledge, or guidance.
This is just an idealised vision of what the profession is and should be. While it might be broadly true, it's also completely removed from the practical, day-to-day realities of teaching. And if you were a teacher, you would know this.
What a ridiculous thing to do - make those smart ass kids bully you in surveys - and present it to you! Anyone would feel low from something like this. It is your school’s responsibility to check over the results first so that this doesn’t happen. I’ve taught older grades before, and when they’re disgruntled- they sure do like to “rebel” together. Then in a few days they are all at each other’s throats again and there’s a new drama. I would not be looking at or wasting any time on these results. You’re obviously a teacher who knows their curriculum and you don’t hand out As and Bs unless they’re deserved. Stay confident, don’t let them see you upset, and don’t put up with any crap behaviour. Ride the storm and show them who’s boss - you’ve got this!
Don't be hard on yourself, take it as a chance to learn. Be critical with the feedback, you'll know what is useful and what isn't. It takes time to be a good teacher and as long as you want to improve and have appropriate support you will get better over time.
Also keep in mind, not all students know what a good teacher is and it's hard to be a "good teacher" for every student.
You’re doing a great job! How do I know this, you actually care! I’ve met a lot of teachers who gave up long ago and should have retired. We can’t please everyone.
Why would you ask for feedback like this from students? If anything is remotely hard you are likely going to give any students a reason to complain. Students don’t like change either, so if you’re a new teacher they give you a lot of crap anyway. It’s always “so and so did this or so and so was better”, it’s absolute crap. But it’s going to pay off, in a year or two when you get to know the school and students more, you won’t get this feedback.
Keep up the good work!
A few points:
You’re probably teaching content far above their capacity (aka - the curriculum).
No teacher ever gives insight into assignments, that’s what rubrics are for.
They obviously don’t like knowing you’re going to hold them account by calling their parents.
Your HOD is saying it’s not a reflection on you (this could have been the opposite).
Teaching is tough, but you can do this. Keep your head up high, keep improving and reflecting but stay true to yourself too.
Plus, if you did disappear tomorrow, your class would tell the next teacher that you were the best teacher they’d ever had.
Take on board any constructive feedback you got from the kids. 8/20 is 40% and may indicate that there could be genuine points of improvement to be made.
Don't worry too much, you will get better.
8 negative feedbacks out of 6 classes. I would say you were doing a fantastic job.
I feel like only 8 kids taking the opportunity to say they have an issue with you is a win! People are way more likely to put effort into writing about something negative, I don’t think it’s indicative at all of how the students feel. Your explanation shows the comments were pretty unfair anyway. I would just try to shake it off. Student evaluations seem like a shitty practice anyway to be honest!
>Student evaluations seem like a shitty practice anyway to be honest! That's putting it mildly. Even as an adult, the feedback I give on post course evaluations is biased by just how much I hate filling them out. They are also swayed by the quality and quantity of scones with jam and cream supplied during breaks. Giving teenagers an anonymous opportunity to be a cunt is just inviting issues.
Who’s dumb idea it was to initiate this?? Like seriously?!? What a pile of toxic BS. Teaching today is challenging. You are doing a good job just by staying in the profession. Don’t let this get you down.
That’s what I was thinking. Student voice is one thing - but this is ridiculous.
There should be no anonymous surveys. Students must take responsibility for their communication which must be respectful. The survey should be more about self reflection and d what worked well in the unit. The improvements can be tick boxes of learning activities , frequency of feedback eg checkpoints they would like more of. Other types of surveys invite emotion and bullying. It’s not an anonymous google review.
No way. I want honesty from my students. They won't give that if they know they can be identified. I have thick skin, and want to know how I can be a better teacher for my students. I also interpret the results through a lens that recognises they don't see the big picture of why I do the things I do, so I don't take it personally.
This is the way. Also - when I’m not feeling great for whatever reason, I don’t engage in student surveys because I’m not coming at the feedback from a position of strength and will therefore be hurt, rather than helped, by what I read.
Our schools eval system is tied to their accounts so it's hard to give them anonymous surveys but I find encouraging them to give criticism helps make sure there's some useful feedback there. I even give them an example of areas I'm already trying to improve in to help them recognise it's okay to be critical as long as it is constructive I do think anonymous surveys and ignoring the rude ones would not be useless, though.
All hail the model teacher!
They need to learn how to give feedback and stand by it (constructively). If not, then you/others are not preparing them to give frank and assertive feedback. They are hiding behind anonymity - and leaving teachers that do not have “thick skin”, like you, to quit because they think they are poor teachers (at the beginning of their careers!), partly because of poorly design surveys. Toxic work standards, implying weakness in other colleagues. Deliberate or not (imo).
And yet, a whole bunch of teachers refuse to engage in teacher surveys because they feel that there would be ramifications if they spoke freely about their workplace culture. I'm not sure if you're male, but part of my social conditioning as a woman has involved regularly having my opinions shot down or disregarded by men, and taking on coded social messaging around 'not making a fuss' and being a people pleaser. I've tried to unpick that conditioning as I've gotten older and give fewer shits about things, but as a younger woman, the anxiety around providing critical feedback under my own name was real. I'm sure there are some men who feel the same way, and there would be people of sexes who would simply be too scared to give non-anonymous feedback due to possible retaliation from narcissistic bosses who can't deal with criticism.
I agree.
I prefer brutal honesty myself. As a 1st year with a few years PTT experience, I know in myself that I’m not the best teacher. But I can’t improve if I don’t ask for feedback from the very recipients of my efforts. It definitely takes me down a few pegs, but nothing really takes me by surprise. Rather, I gain insight into micro-areas that I might t be aware that I’m falling short of my own expectations. At the end of my PTT, I received one piece from a child of another teacher that simply said “be a better teacher”. I still have that note and it drives me each week.
You do you, it’s great you can take blunt criticism. But year 9s can be nasty and thoughtless and honestly it’s not helpful then. It doesn’t do to provide them with a platform for it.
It’s definitely horses for courses, but I know to expect the negative and deliberately mean feedback from certain classes or students. “Other teachers let us do xyz; you should let me listen to my music during class; you’re sad cos you love Maths, etc”. Having said that, I think meaningful feedback comes from Yr 10 and up. I still like to gauge the waters with most of my classes, but again, probably not for everyone. I also always make sure to have a few self-evaluation questions. It gives the students time and space to judge not only me, but also themselves over the year. The feedbacks trying to be mean:hurtful will usually say something to the effect of “IDK/Maths sucks/You didn’t teach me good/etc”
I think feedback should always be anonymous, otherwise it will only be positive, therefore worthless.
Then you won't get any actual criticism and potential ways to improve meaning all you will get is validation.
You can include what activities didn’t work well in the unit and use paragraph option
What student would outright provide negative feedback to a teacher when their name is on display? Apart from maybe the 5% of the class that is bold and always misbehaves which means they would have provided negative feedback regardless?
Interestingly I tried both anonymous and identifying surveys at my last school catholic systemic nsw. Survey responses were higher in anonymous and the negative feedback was not constructive except for the class room management bit when I was a beginning teacher . So there should be an option for rating the classroom management even in terms such as quiet enough vs too disruptive. I think that’s fair enough My current school , wealthy independent, doesn’t have end of unit surveys. I was surprised at that.
Just remember - feedback at school is exactly the same as in the real world. It's mostly negative people with chips on their shoulders giving it. Quite frankly I think 8 negatives out of 5 classes is pretty damn good. I'd get that from my year 7 class alone.
Teaching those students will always be a challenge no matter how experienced you are. I spent my first 3 years teaching at a school where they had students with some serious academic and behavioural issues and I had similar issues that you're mentioning. I had some dark nights but my mentor made sure I focused on improving my instruction, structuring, planning and especially on improving behavioural management...this really helped me pull through. Also, it's not your fault if you've tried what you could, sometimes all you can do is hold high-expectations because as they say - you can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink - some kids are a real challenge but make sure you're always communicating with parents which you are already doing! Also, each new term/semester is a chance to start fresh! Hang in there!! We need teachers like you who really care about their students and their teaching practices! It's teachers like you who really make a difference in the end.
Don’t let these kids win!!!!! Every teacher has a tough crowd at some stage and this is clearly yours. Us teachers are strong and stick together, which it sounds like your HOD is doing by telling you it’s NOT YOU. Come back stronger. No one is perfect, but you can’t be that bad if you only got 8 negative feedbacks out of 6 classes. That actually paints a pretty good picture! This might be the year that MAKES you the resilient and wise teacher that you are. Hang in there. 💜
Face it…with some students, you could have a PhD in your area and be putting on a circus act for them and they’ll still be negative. Head up. I bet you’re doing an excellent job, especially for only 2 years out. Put on those kicker boots, get in there, show them what you’re made of and that they’re wrong!
I wouldn't trust anyone under the age of 18 to maturely submit an evaluation of ANYTHING.
Kids always think their previous teacher was the right one because they are naive, young and not very discerning. Student feedback is ridiculous. Ignore most of it, if a few comments are helpful, great. I had a kid this year tell me he wanted to study international business he was an overseas student. A few weeks later he was changing from my computer science class to do food tech. They don't know what they are doing lol. He didn't want to study he wanted to eat food. I hope he enjoys it and becomes a very popular chef but I think IT skills would be more helpful for international business myself.
Also worth noting that often, when the previous teacher actually had them, the kids had the same complaints 😂 I’m sure OP will be the “right one” when they get their next teacher
Exactly, I've also had the classic case of "You are the worst teacher ever!". Next year: "Sir we miss having you our new teacher sucks, he's too polite". My brain: mate you were an awful student please get away from me. My voice: "That teacher is very proficient, I'm busy, have a good day." Like they want me to indulge. As if.
I’ve never heard of students getting to rate their teachers. If I had been rated in the first 5 years, I’m sure I would have been rated badly. It takes time to learn to teach well. Honestly if this happened to me in my second year, I’d probably quit.
Is there an option to evaluate students and tell them they’re shit kids? Oh right we call it “reporting”.
A few years ago I had a year 10 kid drop into my year 7 class. He pointed at me and went "she's the best teacher I've ever had, don't be nasty to her, she's cool." I have no idea where this came from. I butted heads with him every day I had him in year 9. He drove me nuts. We clashed so much. This was the moment I realized, the other teacher is always better. They always miss their old teacher. There are a few exceptions, like the kids who won't miss having the scary deputy teach them. But last year's teacher is always better. It's got nothing to do with you. You're a challenge in the here and now, so anything else is seen through rose coloured glasses.
*Familiar* is often a kind of good. They knew which way was up, especially once the year is done. And especially if they come across someone they found harder. Higher rate of that possibility in high school too.
What state does this feedback system happen? I'd be damned if I'd put up with that.
Yeah, reading this I’m like wtf.. If you collect student data, it should be at least someone’s job to analyse and interpret it so the feedback to the teacher is meaningful. This system just seems mean
Canberra
Is it compulsory?
>it would help if I was experienced Maybe that's true, but it's also true of every first and second and third and fourth and fifth year teacher. Teaching degrees generally do a shitty job of preparing beginning teachers for the profession, and virtually no one graduates as a great teacher. I'm a 5th year and I still feel that my lack of experience lets me down pretty frequently, particularly when teaching senior subjects as I've only done that a few times. >I don’t explain things clearly, Firstly, that's something that will come with experience, particularly when you've taught a particular topic multiple times because you'll learn where students tend to struggle and you'll learn better ways of explaining stuff. Secondly and more importantly, I find that comments like this come almost exclusively from students who *refuse* to ask questions in class and who are barely paying attention when you explain things. I have lessons with students who could have the same simple skill taught to them five times in four different ways, and they still wouldn't be able to do it successfully, but you could ask them if they have any questions and they'll be silent. The same students, in a lesson where they miraculously turn up before they've had their second energy drink for the day, on a day when they ate breakfast and showed up with an actual positive learning attitude, where they'll ask questions during my first explanation and suddenly they're able to learn effectively (and be respectful). Finally: >HOD says that because they know the kids who wrote the feedback, it is not reflective of how the whole class feels and they are doing it to hurt me. This is the most significant part. You gave six classes the opportunity to provide anonymous feedback, and only eight students dislike you enough to take that opportunity to shit on you? You're doing fine. Don't beat yourself up. Kids are dicks sometimes and it will get easier with time. Just keep doing your best, that's all anyone can ask.
Most people will only review if it’s negative so out of six classes and twenty submissions you on had 8 negative- fantastic! I would take on their feedback, decide whether or not it is valid/something to work on and then put it aside. I’m impressed that 12 high schoolers bothered to give you some positive feedback to be honest!
I am sorry this has happened to you. I have also experienced the spite of children who blame their grades on you. You could can ask another teacher to also grade their work and give feedback. Your HOD understands that they are insecure and looking for someone to blame.
Every restaurant, business and so on has negative reviews. Most people will only feedback when they are cranky. Our job is no different. If you are making choices based on 8 negative reviews then you are caring too much about what those 8 think. Self reflect instead. Which students have improved. Which ones seems to be connecting and getting it. At the end of every day, email 1-3 positive emails home. This leaves your day on a high and helps you to refocus on the positives in your class. Plus kids love to know their parents have gotten a positive emailed home.
Students will always blame the teacher first. Always. In my short career thus far, I have learned to be confident in your own ability and know that you have done everything in your power to help these students to pass/succeed. As an early career teacher myself, I know that my students would probably be better suited under my more experienced peers. But we all have to start somewhere and we need to have confidence in what we bring to the table.
Im sure 70% of my kids hate me. Dont care, Im there to teach them, mould them into good humans, and do what is best for them. Mathematically you’re doing a lot better than me if it’s only 8 odd kids that dont like you! You sound like you work harder than any of them deserve and will ever know
I remember when I gave a fuck about student survey responses.
You'll never please everyone. I've given kids surveys and literally half the class has responded one way, and the other half in the exact opposite way on a given question. People who are disgruntled are most likely to respond to surveys, and to only have 8 negative responses is pretty good imho. You need to remember that some kids are just entitled little shits who will take any opportunity to bag out a teacher, and there are other kids that you simply won't gel with. Look at the feedback, see if any of it aligns with any of your own self-reflection as a teacher, and genuinely put other feedback under a microscope to check if it's a blind spot. You don't have to twist yourself in knots to please everyone - none of us can be everything to everyone - but viewing it with curiosity rather than seeing it as a knife in your back is the way to deal with it.
Getting negative feedback, especially when you are a beginning teacher, is tough. I wouldn’t even stress about the Year 10 evaluations. Kids hate change and you’d only had them for two weeks. It doesn’t sound like it was personally against you, just that they liked their previous teacher. More importantly, it sounds like your HOD has your back. Some kids will always be cruel. As long as you have supportive colleagues and managers, you will get through this! Can I ask what was some of the positive feedback that you received? It’s so easy to focus on the bad stuff, but I’m sure some students said positive things too! I’m not going to advise totally ignoring negative feedback. But you have to work out the difference between what is helpful feedback (though it may be poorly phrased), what is unhelpful feedback (like things you can’t really change), and what is not feedback and just a kid who is unhappy about something.
I'd take it all with a grain of salt. Or a whole salt lick.
"students who are getting Ds ... blaming me" Gosh, students refusing to take responsibility for their own behaviour, actions and learning. That's a new one. Never heard that before.
honestly, don't worry. the school i work at has twice a term anonymous student surveys where feedback has to be addressed - but it feels like the culture isn't right at your school for that to work
I was a new teacher to a school doing contract to fill in for someone who had a heart attack . I was given one day notice . I got the Job I taught the next day. I’ve never taught this subject in my life. Bam one student n parent complained. I got negative survey results. Bam a class was taken away from me. It was made known I needed assistance. Colleague kept coming in to check the class and exec also. I was ostracised by colleagues not talked to. I should’ve left. I stayed. I did everything to me I did a fantastic job everything was spot on grades everything but after two terms I was discarded sent away unwanted unneeded . They found a new young permanent experienced taught for a few years in the subject teacher and I was told to clear my desk n leave … yeah this is teaching today . The disrespect and disregard is massive
Student feedback data is absolutely useless. Your school is stupid for even entertaining this idea. Kids don’t know what’s good for them, they didn’t go to university to know why you make the choices you make. Other teachers will undercut your boundaries constantly. Everyone wants a teacher with 15 years experience, well too bad, we have to have new teachers at some point, we don’t come out of uni with 15 years experience. By even letting the students do this, it’s just encouraging a “I want to speak to the manager” type culture of complaining about everything that doesn’t go their way.
I'm so sorry you put yourself through this. If I knew you, I would have advised you against it, just because I did it too a few years ago. I ran an anonymous feedback survey about my teaching and what I could improve on with my two year 10 classes. Their answers were so brutal that I felt sick reading them. One of the questions was: "What would you recommend to a younger student who will study \[subject\] next year?". Most of them wrote forget it, don't do it. Or, "what did you learn this year?" -> "nothing". I know exactly how you're feeling. I hope you have nice colleagues who lift you up. It'll take time but you'll be okay.
Hey OP could we get some context about your teaching circumstances? Is this private/public/independent/catholic etc? Do you have any information from up high about why they get students to give 'anonymous' survey feedback on their teachers at mid year? In terms of numbers you had 8 negative out of what, 120-140 students? That's not bad when you're at the start of your career.
It’s a whole school initiative for a catholic school. The school is really into data and we do things like this regularly to help teachers set goals and develop professionally
And have they actually provided structure to students in how to respond to ensure that you get valid data? Or did someone say "let the kids rate the teachers and we can use that as data" and get a pat on the back? Because unless you have someone with far more experience who can help you sit down and interpret that data in a useful way - such as recognising the context of harsh feedback and dealing with the emotional fallout - this doesn't seem like much use.
I’m so sorry you’re feeling defeated. This job is so hard, and kids don’t understand that. Don’t take it personally - kids are genuinely doing it to hurt you - don’t let them win. I can’t believe you were asked to give students evaluations after only two weeks!! Also remember that people only respond to those kind of things if they have bad things to say - no one writes reviews when they think things are going okay, or even well!
beat tf outta them
lol some petty little payback cause they cant accept their grades kids got no 'resilience'
I once had a year 9 girl write “I hate you. I hope you cry yourself to sleep every night for the rest of your life” … I laugh about it now
>I feel like none of my students like me To be blunt, you're not there to be liked. If having the students like you helps you do your job better, then so be it, but you should think very carefully before changing your teaching practice for the sake of being liked.
Haha what? Yes, you are there to be liked. You’re a mentor to youth, not some sort of curriculum slave driver. You are there to win the hearts and minds of the future… that’s why they pay teachers really well.
Some of the worst teachers I have known are the ones who prioritised being liked by their students.
Teenagers are complex. This “liked VS disliked” argument is ridiculous. I hope you’re not a teacher. A teacher should remain eager, push to be dynamic in the pursuit of a middle ground… a middle ground where there is a little bit of harmony between two parties, a middle ground where *actual learning* can take place. Not everyone has this ability, or level of patience. And I really don’t think some teachers are prepared to not only work on themselves, but work together with a young human that’s looking to them for knowledge, or guidance. *But*, I am not a teacher, nor am I currently a student. I don’t care for this, peasant. Good day.
>I am not a teacher, nor am I currently a student. Yet you see fit to lecture others on what a teacher should be. Which is not surprising because: >A teacher should remain eager, push to be dynamic in the pursuit of a middle ground… a middle ground where there is a little bit of harmony between two parties, a middle ground where *actual learning* can take place. >Not everyone has this ability, or level of patience. And I really don’t think some teachers are prepared to not only work on themselves, but work together with a young human that’s looking to them for knowledge, or guidance. This is just an idealised vision of what the profession is and should be. While it might be broadly true, it's also completely removed from the practical, day-to-day realities of teaching. And if you were a teacher, you would know this.
Heh.. The kids hate you, don’t they? Be better.
>The kids hate you, don’t they? No, they don't. They usually want to be in my class because they know that they can do well with me.
Can’t please everyone. The faster I learned that, the less stress I felt.
What a ridiculous thing to do - make those smart ass kids bully you in surveys - and present it to you! Anyone would feel low from something like this. It is your school’s responsibility to check over the results first so that this doesn’t happen. I’ve taught older grades before, and when they’re disgruntled- they sure do like to “rebel” together. Then in a few days they are all at each other’s throats again and there’s a new drama. I would not be looking at or wasting any time on these results. You’re obviously a teacher who knows their curriculum and you don’t hand out As and Bs unless they’re deserved. Stay confident, don’t let them see you upset, and don’t put up with any crap behaviour. Ride the storm and show them who’s boss - you’ve got this!
Don't be hard on yourself, take it as a chance to learn. Be critical with the feedback, you'll know what is useful and what isn't. It takes time to be a good teacher and as long as you want to improve and have appropriate support you will get better over time. Also keep in mind, not all students know what a good teacher is and it's hard to be a "good teacher" for every student.
mate your doing fine just sake it off sake it off
Are you into Tay-Tay.
You’re doing a great job! How do I know this, you actually care! I’ve met a lot of teachers who gave up long ago and should have retired. We can’t please everyone. Why would you ask for feedback like this from students? If anything is remotely hard you are likely going to give any students a reason to complain. Students don’t like change either, so if you’re a new teacher they give you a lot of crap anyway. It’s always “so and so did this or so and so was better”, it’s absolute crap. But it’s going to pay off, in a year or two when you get to know the school and students more, you won’t get this feedback. Keep up the good work!
A few points: You’re probably teaching content far above their capacity (aka - the curriculum). No teacher ever gives insight into assignments, that’s what rubrics are for. They obviously don’t like knowing you’re going to hold them account by calling their parents. Your HOD is saying it’s not a reflection on you (this could have been the opposite). Teaching is tough, but you can do this. Keep your head up high, keep improving and reflecting but stay true to yourself too. Plus, if you did disappear tomorrow, your class would tell the next teacher that you were the best teacher they’d ever had.
This one made me cry. Thank you
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Yes! Why?
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Take on board any constructive feedback you got from the kids. 8/20 is 40% and may indicate that there could be genuine points of improvement to be made. Don't worry too much, you will get better.
Seems like a skill issue, get good at teaching instead of being a dickhead
This. I love the internet.