What are the most effective ways to give feedback to novice teachers?

Feedback is a crucial component of mentoring novice teachers, as it can help them improve their practice, develop their confidence, and foster their professional growth. However, giving feedback effectively is not always easy, as it requires careful planning, communication, and follow-up. In this article, you will learn some of the most effective ways to give feedback to novice teachers, based on research and experience.

1 Establish rapport and trust

Before you give any feedback, you need to build a positive relationship with the novice teacher, based on mutual respect, understanding, and support. This means getting to know them as a person and as a professional, listening to their needs and goals, and showing genuine interest and appreciation for their work. You also need to establish clear expectations and guidelines for the feedback process, such as the purpose, frequency, and format of the feedback, and how it will be used to inform their development. By creating a rapport and trust with the novice teacher, you can make them more receptive and responsive to your feedback.

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Shweta Raka 🇮🇳

MOC - NITI AAYOG | Assisting Fortune 500 , MSMEs , Exporters , Brands with 1000x Result Consulting, Sales & Marketing & Advisory | Startup Mentor - IIT,IIMs ,StartupIndia & Govt.| Guest Speaker | Coach | Advisor |
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I believe in constructive feedback that begins with positivity, sets achievable goals, and fosters collaboration. To effectively provide feedback to novice teachers: 🔹Schedule classroom observations and follow up with specific, actionable feedback. 🔹Begin with positive comments to boost confidence. 🔹Encourage open communication and questions. 🔹Focus on behaviors, not personal traits. 🔹Collaboratively set SMART improvement goals. 🔹Promote peer mentoring and support. 🔹Offer to model effective teaching techniques. 🔹Suggest relevant professional development opportunities.

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Commander Ram

I Help Veterans Make Successful Transition to Corporate | Coached & Mentored 145+ Transitioning Veterans | Impacted 1250+ Veterans | LinkedIn Top Voice | LinkedIn Strategist | Toastmaster | 1 M Content Views
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We know that building a foundation of trust is key when providing feedback. Take my coaching experience, for instance. Before diving into feedback, I invest time in understanding my mentee’s goals and challenges. Setting clear expectations and showing genuine appreciation for their efforts lays the groundwork for a constructive feedback exchange. I have found that, trust is the bridge that makes feedback a two-way street.

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2 Observe and collect evidence

To give feedback that is relevant, specific, and actionable, you need to observe the novice teacher's practice and collect evidence of their strengths and areas for improvement. You can use various methods and tools to do this, such as classroom observation forms, checklists, rubrics, video recordings, student work samples, or self-reflection journals. You should also involve the novice teacher in the observation and evidence collection process, by asking them to identify their own goals, questions, and challenges, and inviting them to share their perspective and feedback on their own practice.

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Commander Ram

I Help Veterans Make Successful Transition to Corporate | Coached & Mentored 145+ Transitioning Veterans | Impacted 1250+ Veterans | LinkedIn Top Voice | LinkedIn Strategist | Toastmaster | 1 M Content Views
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Precise feedback is a game-changer. When mentoring, I use a variety of tools like observation forms and role play. What's crucial is involving them in the process. I asked them to set goals, share challenges, and reflect on their practice. It's a collaborative effort that makes feedback truly actionable.

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3 Provide balanced and timely feedback

When you provide feedback to the novice teacher, you should aim to balance praise and criticism, and focus on both the process and the outcome of their practice. You should highlight what they did well and why, and what they can do better and how. You should also link your feedback to the novice teacher's goals, standards, and criteria, and provide concrete examples and evidence to support your feedback. Moreover, you should give feedback as soon as possible after the observation, while the experience is still fresh in both of your minds, and avoid overwhelming the novice teacher with too much or too vague feedback.

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Commander Ram

I Help Veterans Make Successful Transition to Corporate | Coached & Mentored 145+ Transitioning Veterans | Impacted 1250+ Veterans | LinkedIn Top Voice | LinkedIn Strategist | Toastmaster | 1 M Content Views
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I am a toastmaster and I can suggest what we call as CRC approach of providing feedback in our toastmaster session. This is how we go: 1. Commendation: Start by acknowledging their strengths and accomplishments, like their engaging teaching style. Highlight why it worked to boost confidence. 2. Recommendation: Gently point out areas for improvement, linking to their goals, like enhancing classroom management. Provide clear, actionable steps on how to achieve it. 3. Commendation (Again): End on a positive note, reinforcing what they're doing right. It leaves them motivated and ready to embrace the suggested changes. I am sure this CRC approach is going to work in this setting for novice teachers as well.

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4 Use a coaching approach

A coaching approach to feedback is one that empowers the novice teacher to reflect on their own practice, identify their own strengths and areas for improvement, and generate their own solutions and actions. Instead of telling the novice teacher what to do or not to do, you should use open-ended questions, active listening, and constructive feedback to guide them through a process of self-discovery and self-improvement. You should also encourage the novice teacher to try out new strategies, experiment with different approaches, and learn from their mistakes. By using a coaching approach, you can help the novice teacher develop their autonomy, confidence, and creativity.

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Kelly Mulrooney

Customer Propositions | Senior Manager | Visual Storytelling | Advocate for Women in Tech & Cyber | Transformational Coach | Leadership | Culture 👩🏼💻
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In my experience, coaching is about facilitating growth and development rather than imposing solutions. It's a collaborative and supportive process that should empower the individual to take ownership of their improvement.

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5 Follow up and monitor progress

Feedback is not a one-time event, but an ongoing cycle of observation, reflection, and action. Therefore, you should follow up and monitor the progress of the novice teacher after you give feedback, and provide ongoing support and encouragement. You should check in with the novice teacher regularly, and ask them how they are implementing the feedback, what challenges they are facing, and what results they are achieving. You should also observe them again, and give them feedback on their progress and improvement. By following up and monitoring progress, you can help the novice teacher sustain and enhance their practice.

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6 Seek and receive feedback

Finally, you should also seek and receive feedback on your own mentoring practice, and use it to improve your skills and effectiveness. You can ask the novice teacher for feedback on your feedback, and find out what they found helpful, what they found confusing, and what they would like more or less of. You can also ask other mentors, colleagues, or experts for feedback on your mentoring practice, and learn from their insights and suggestions. You should also reflect on your own feedback practice, and identify your own strengths and areas for improvement. By seeking and receiving feedback, you can model a growth mindset and a commitment to learning for the novice teacher.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the most effective ways to give feedback to novice teachers?

1

2

3

4

5

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7

1 Establish rapport and trust

2 Observe and collect evidence

3 Provide balanced and timely feedback

4 Use a coaching approach

5 Follow up and monitor progress

6 Seek and receive feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Mentoring

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What are the most effective ways to give feedback to novice teachers?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Establish rapport and trust

2 Observe and collect evidence

3 Provide balanced and timely feedback

4 Use a coaching approach

5 Follow up and monitor progress

6 Seek and receive feedback

7 Here’s what else to consider

Mentoring

Rate this article

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