Students Evaluating Teachers: What Educators Need to Know

Educators often have mixed feelings about having their students evaluate them. After all, it’s inevitable that some students might use the evaluation to “vent” on a more personal level. However, most student feedback can be genuinely helpful, offering teachers a chance for self-awareness and insight that can help then become better at their jobs.

Feedback is good for students, too, because it helps them feel more fully engaged in their education. Students who feel their opinion matters are far more likely to have a personal stake in the educational process.

Feedback also gives teachers concrete advice on making the education process more enjoyable and effective. Educators who are more responsive to their students stand a better chance of providing a quality educational experience.

Advantages of students evaluating teachers

Here are some more perks of allowing students to evaluate their instructors:

• Educators can identify current strengths and weaknesses, and work harder in the areas that need development.
• Students can guide teachers toward providing educational experiences they truly enjoy.
• Students can highlight a teacher’s positive aspects, which can fire the teacher’s enthusiasm.
• Teachers will be less likely to become complacent in their work if they know that they will be evaluated regularly.

Teacher evaluation students provide offers an excellent insight into the current effectiveness of a teacher “out in the field.” When student evaluations of teachers are given regularly, the quality of the educational experience is sure to improve for both the teacher and the students.