The Evaluation of Teaching
PWR instructors learn by visiting each other’s classes
and talking with each other. Toward that end, the Director of
PWR, the Associate Director of PWR, the Director of the Writing
Center, or the Director of Writing in the Major will visit each
instructor’s class once a year. All instructors should
choose several days and times when they would like to have one
of the program directors visit their classes and schedule these
visits no later than week 4 of the term, even if the visit will
occur later than week 4. After the visit, instructors meet with
the person who visited to discuss the class and effective teaching
practices.
At the end of every year, the Director and Associate Director
compose written annual reviews of all instructors, including
an evaluation of teaching effectiveness and suggestions for the
future. Lecturers and Teaching Fellows receive these narratives
as part of the annual review process each year. Instructors may
also respond in writing to these narratives as part of the process.
In general, these evaluations provide documentation of individual
teaching development and practices. They serve to record the
accomplishments of our teachers and help identify candidates
who might be recognized for excellence in teaching.
