Process and Outcome Evaluation

A core process that is imperative to an educational leader is the proper evaluation of instructors or students. This evaluation is used to benefit both the instructor and the students, in turn the institution. A good leader follows a number of steps to complete an in-depth evaluation. This could include sitting in a class, talking with instructors about how it is going, creating an open door policy for both the students and instructor alike, having formal and informal meetings with all staff, role modeling certain instructional practices, and pushing for professional development for staff. All of these steps combined assist in creating better teaching practices and working environments. A poor educational leader may find that the evaluation process and the feedback cause bad feelings and a poor working environment for the instructor, therefore ineffective leadership.

The person I feel has mastered the process of evaluation is a coordinator within the Human Services department of the college. This person ensures that her instructors feel good about what they are doing by helping to bring about the instructors personal teaching styles and using it to the best of their ability. She makes a point of visiting the classrooms and having an open dialogue throughout the school year. She also encourages her instructors to attend training days on teaching practices or other relevant issues when they are available. There are many other people that could learn from this style of leadership.