West Essex Teachers Participate in Teacher Evaluation Training

Twenty West Essex High School and Middle School teachers and administrators participated in two days of training for the new teacher evaluation program. West Essex Superintendent of Schools Barbara Longo said the Danielson Teacher Evaluation Program is one of the most popular models and is very similar to what the District used before. "We already were using a modified version of Danielson," Mrs. Longo said, adding "this will make things a lot easier for our teachers."

The teachers and administrators participate in the training as part of the District's Professional Development program. The teachers who participate in the training will then instruct the rest of the teachers in the District during the first week of school, Mrs. Longo said.

The program gives teachers a framework for teaching to help promote teacher effectiveness and professional learning. Teachers work on the following components:

1. Planning and Preparation
2. Classroom Environment
3. Instruction
4. Professional Responsibilities

The superintendent, principals and administrators conduct evaluations for teachers and make recommendations to help teachers become better educators and increase student learning.