Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools

Teacher Evaluation Form

Instructional Certified Staff

Teacher: Amanda Cordero Assignment: Personal Finance, mod 11-12

Date of Observation: May 18, 2018 School Year: 2017-2018

Administrator(s:) John Bertollo Conference Date: May 25, 2018

Current Professional Improvement Plan

Overall Score: 3

PDP Accomplishment

Goal

Activity

Hours Allowance

Comments:
See attached Professional Growth Plan

Initials: ____________ ___________

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Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools

Classroom Observation Form
Domain 1: Planning and Preparation

Demonstrating knowledge of content and pedagogy: ​3

Teacher displays solid knowledge of the important concepts in the discipline and how these relate to one another.
Teacher’s plans and practice reflect accurate understanding of prerequisite relationships among topics and concepts.
Teacher’s plans and practice reflect familiarity with a wide range of effective pedagogical approaches in the
discipline.

Demonstrating knowledge of students: 3

Teacher understands the active nature of student learning, and attains information about levels of development for
groups of students. The teacher also purposefully seeks knowledge from several sources of students’ backgrounds,
cultures, skills, language proficiency, interests, and special needs, and attains this knowledge for groups of students

Setting Instructional outcomes: 3

Most outcomes represent rigorous and important learning in the discipline. All the instructional outcomes are clear,
written in the form of student learning, and suggest viable methods of assessment. Outcomes reflect several different
types of learning and opportunities for coordination. Outcomes take into account the varying needs of groups of
students.

Demonstrating knowledge of resources: 3

Teacher displays awareness of resources available for classroom use, for expanding one’s own knowledge, and for
students through the school or district and external to the school and on the Internet.

Designing coherent instruction: 3

Teacher coordinates knowledge of content, of students, and of resources, to design a series of learning experiences
aligned to instructional outcomes and suitable to groups of students. The learning activities have reasonable time
allocations; they represent significant cognitive challenge, with some differentiation for different groups of students.
The lesson or unit has a clear structure with appropriate and varied use of instructional groups.

Designing student assessments: 3

Teacher’s plan for student assessment is aligned with the instructional outcomes; assessment methodologies may
have been adapted for groups of students. Assessment criteria and standards are clear. Teacher has a well-developed
strategy for using formative assessment and has designed particular approaches to be used. Teacher intends to use
assessment results to plan for future instruction for groups of students.

Comments:
By working with both special education students, as well as regular education students in the same classroom
setting, Ms. Cordero demonstrates knowledge of varied approaches to learning. Her instructional goals are designed
to meet varying learning needs. Along with the regular education teacher, Ms. Cordero provides learning activities
that are relevant to students and instructional goals.

Initials: ____________ ___________

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Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools
Classroom Observation Form
Domain 2: Classroom Environment

Creating an environment of respect and rapport: 3

Teacher-student interactions are friendly and demonstrate general caring and respect. Such interactions are
appropriate to the ages of the students. Students exhibit respect for the teacher. Interactions among students are
generally polite and respectful. Teacher responds successfully to disrespectful behavior among students. The net
result of the interactions is polite and respectful, but impersonal.

Establishing a culture for learning: 3

The classroom culture is a cognitively busy place where learning is valued by all with high expectations for learning
the norm for most students. The teacher conveys that with hard work students can be successful; students understand
their role as learners and consistently expend effort to learn. Classroom interactions support learning and hard work.

Managing classroom procedures: 3

There is little loss of instructional time due to effective classroom routines and procedures. The teacher’s
management of instructional groups and/or the handling of materials and supplies are consistently successful. With
minimal guidance and prompting, students follow established classroom routines.

Managing student behavior: 3

Student behavior is generally appropriate. The teacher monitors student behavior against established standards of
conduct. Teacher response to student misbehavior is consistent, proportionate and respectful to students and is
effective.

Organizing physical space: 3

The classroom is safe, and learning is accessible to all students; teacher ensures that the physical arrangement is
appropriate to the learning activities. Teacher makes effective use of physical resources, including computer
technology.

Comments:
Through working with individual students during the lesson, Ms. Cordero developed a genuine and sincere rapport
with the students through talking to them about interests. In this case, they discussed cars that they currently drive
and/or want to drive in the future. She also monitored learning and provided appropriate feedback when necessary.

Initials: ____________ ___________

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Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools
Classroom Observation Form
Domain 3: Instruction

Communicating with students: ​3

The instructional purpose of the lesson is clearly communicated to students, including where it is situated within
broader learning; directions and procedures are explained clearly. Teacher’s explanation of content is well
scaffolded, clear and accurate, and connects with students’ knowledge and experience. During the explanation of
content, the teacher invites student intellectual engagement. Teacher’s spoken and written language is clear and
correct. Vocabulary is appropriate to the students’ ages and interests.

Using questioning and discussion techniques: 3

While the teacher may use some low-level questions, he or she poses questions to students designed to promote
student thinking and understanding. Teacher creates a genuine discussion among students, providing adequate time
for students to respond, and stepping aside when appropriate. Teacher successfully engages most students in the
discussion, employing a range of strategies to ensure that most students are heard.

Engaging students in learning: 3

The learning tasks and activities are aligned with the instructional outcomes and are designed to challenge student
thinking, resulting in active intellectual engagement by most students with important and challenging content, and
with teacher scaffolding to support that engagement. The pacing of the lesson is appropriate, providing most
students the time needed to be intellectually engaged.

Using assessment in instruction: 3

Assessment is regularly used during instruction, through monitoring of progress of learning by teacher and/or
students, resulting in accurate, specific feedback that advances learning. Students appear to be aware of the
assessment criteria; some of them engage in self-assessment. Questions/prompts/ assessments are used to diagnose
evidence of learning.

Demonstrating Flexibility and Responsiveness: 3

Teacher promotes the successful learning of all students, making minor adjustments as needed to instruction plans
and accommodating student questions, needs and interests. The teacher persists in seeking approaches for students
who have difficulty learning, drawing on a broad repertoire of strategies.

Comments:
As mentioned earlier, Ms. Cordero provided feedback in a timely manner, which gives students the opportunity to
use the feedback to make the necessary adjustments. She also seizes opportunities to enhance student learning by
taking advantage of spontaneous events. A student asked her about the lease process. Ms. Cordero was able to
apply her own history of leasing a car to help the student better understand the process.

Initials: ____________ ___________

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Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools
Classroom Observation Form
Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities

Reflecting on teaching: 3
Teacher makes an accurate assessment of a lesson’s effectiveness and the extent to which it achieved its
instructional outcomes and can cite general references to support the judgment. Teacher makes a few specific
suggestions of what could be tried another time the lesson is taught.

Maintaining accurate records: 3

Teacher’s system for maintaining information on student completion of assignments, student progress in learning,
and non-instructional records, is fully effective.

Communicating with families: 3

Teacher communicates frequently with families about the instructional program and conveys information about
individual student progress. Teacher makes some attempts to engage families in the instructional program; as
appropriate Information to families is conveyed in a culturally appropriate manner.

Participating in a professional community: 3

Relationships with colleagues are characterized by mutual support and cooperation; teacher actively participates in a
culture of professional inquiry. Teacher volunteers to participate in school events and in school and district projects,
making a substantial contribution.

Growth and developing professionally: 3

Teacher seeks out opportunities for professional development to enhance content knowledge and pedagogical skill.
Teacher welcomes feedback from colleagues when made by supervisors or when opportunities arise through
professional collaboration. Teacher participates actively in assisting other educators.

Showing professionalism: 3
Teacher displays high standards of honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in interactions with colleagues, students,
and the public. Teacher is active in serving students, working to ensure that all students receive a fair opportunity to
succeed. Teacher maintains an open mind in team or departmental decision-making. Teacher complies fully with
school and district regulations.

Comments:
Ms. Cordero is a maternity leave replacement who began once the school year had begun. She has done a nice job
of handling a difficult situation of stepping into a classroom midyear. She assists the regular education teachers that
she works with in whatever fashion they ask and has done a nice job becoming a part of the James Caldwell
community.

Initials: ____________ ___________

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Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools
Classroom Observation Form
Additional Comments:

During the observed lesson, when the class began, the regular education teacher circulated the classroom to check
the previous night’s outline, while Ms. Cordero checked in with a few students. The regular education teacher
announced that the class is continuing to work on their “Buying a Car” project. Students took a Chromebook from a
cart and began to work on their project. Ms. Cordero circulated the room throughout the entire class period assisting
students and making sure students were on task. She worked with one student for an extended period of time and
explained to him what finances are, what a car lease is, and other important terms from their project. She helped the
student understand the concepts by explaining how she leased her vehicle, the amount of money she pays, the
monthly payments, and the mileage restrictions. “Some leases offer 15,000 mileage a year, so if you go over 15,000
miles times three years, you will be charged if you go over 45,000 miles.” She also explained that the more money
you put down at the beginning of purchasing a car, the lower cost your monthly payment will be. They also
discussed the popularity of certain vehicles, such as a Jaguar and various SUVs. “SUV cost is going down because
more people want them.” While circulating the classroom, a student asked Ms. Cordero what model car she has.
After a brief discussion, she revealed to the student that she has a Chevy Cruze. “It is on TV commercials all the
time.” Another student asked Ms. Cordero an opinion question about the color of the vehicle he is creating. She
helped a different student and explained some special car features available such as a remote starter and rear camera.
A student had a question about the length of a car lease. The student asked, “If “term” was how long you lease the
car?” Ms. Cordero explained how a lease works to the student and helped the student understand. While students
completed the project, Ms. Cordero walked over to check each student’s work and to make sure everything is
complete and collected them. The regular education teacher announced that this project is due on Monday and the
new outlines are due on Tuesday.

I have read this evaluation:

Signature of Teacher___________________________________ Date:_____________________________

Signature of Administrator​ ______________________________ Date:__________________________

Copy Distribution
● Personnel folder in Central Office
● Building principal’s/administrator’s office
● Teacher

Initials: ____________ ___________

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Caldwell-West Caldwell Public Schools
Classroom Observation Form