I am not going to put forth a long, reasoned post against the idea of evaluations in this time. Kudos to those districts and states who are dropping teacher evaluations for the year. A walk down the Hall of Shame for any others. I am just going to share a comment by a young friend who captured the drama of evaluating teachers harshly in this (and other) times:

“A job evaluation should not feel like your dog just got hit by a car.”

No PD speaker, book or journal article has ever expressed this idea better in my view. Even if Charlotte Danielson meant well, and those State Departments of Education were trying to boost test scores as best they could, the fact is that many evaluation instruments are filled with slots that represent ambushes in a time when at least some administrators feel “there’s always room for improvement,” a phrase that tends to translate to “almost nobody ever gets an “Excellent” or “Distinguished” in anything.”

Eduhonesty: During the coronavirus craziness, I’d ask those people who are still inexplicably evaluating teachers to remember the above phrase:

“A job evaluation should not feel like your dog just got hit by a car.”

Hugs to to everyone who is staring at that evaluation in disbelief, especially those parents who have been trying to homeschool while also teaching their classes and keeping homebound children from bouncing off the walls. I’ll add one more thought: The relationship that always makes you cry? They call that relationship “toxic” — and usually recommend that you walk away as soon as you are able to set up a safe departure plan. I might start by finding happy colleagues within the many social media groups online. Ask yourself: where would I rather teach? Then check the postings.