Observation and Evaluation
A faculty member from the home department observes and evaluates each candidate for certification during a regular class, recitation, or lab session. The faculty member may decide to recommend the graduate teacher for certification or may request that the graduate teacher attain a higher level of proficiency and undergo a follow-up evaluation prior to certification. A written observation and evaluation report by a faculty member must be sent to the Graduate Teacher Program office, either printed on department letterhead and mailed to the GTP (362 UCB), or as email from the faculty may be sent to gtp@colorado.edu (subject: Certification Evaluation; cc:Laura.Border@colorado.edu). A copy should also be kept in the graduate teacher's department file.
Guide for Faculty Observation and Evaluation for the Graduate Teacher Certificate
For the Graduate Teacher Certificate, graduate teachers must undergo one faculty classroom observation and one faculty evaluation. It is up to the graduate teacher to decide if these are two separate operations or not.
Approval for Graduate Teacher Certificate rests on the faculty member's evaluation. The faculty member has the right and responsibility either to recommend or not to recommend the graduate teacher for certification based on departmental standards for excellence in teaching.
Faculty should send a letter indicating the date, time, course title, and name of the graduate teacher they observe and/or evaluate. They may include their own departmental evaluation form or write an original evaluation. Faculty may observe and evaluate graduate teachers in their discipline according to any format and any standards they choose. The following points are provided simply as guides.
1. According to the standards of your discipline, does this graduate teacher rate highly in excellence in teaching (would you recommend this graduate teacher for a job in your discipline)?
2. How does this graduate teacher demonstrate excellence in teaching in your discipline?
3. How does the graduate teacher compare to other graduate teachers' performance in similar classes?
4. What did you like best about the graduate teacher's instruction in your discipline?
5. What did you like least about the graduate teacher's instruction in your discipline?
6. How would you recommend that the graduate teacher improve his/her instruction in your discipline?
7. Do you or do you not recommend this graduate teacher for certification? Why or why not? If no, please encourage the graduate teacher to continue to work on his/her teaching through the Graduate Teacher Program workshops, faculty assistance, and videotape consultation.
