Building Trust in Teacher Evaluations

It’s not what you say; it’s how you say it

"This book should be a staple to every administrator.  An absolute essential for any bookshelf of the novice or seasoned administrator. . . . Really hits home on trust and how trust is essential for effective evaluations and if you really want to do anything with an evaluation. . . . The book covers all angles of why trust and evaluations go hand in hand."

"School personnel—administrators, teachers, and support staff—need to be reminded about the immensely important role that trust and effective communication play in school culture and climate, and this book addresses that point quite well."

"As an administrator, we all deal with evaluations every day. This book allows you to begin knowing your teachers but especially knowing yourself as an evaluator. In order for student growth to make a positive impact you, as the instructional leader, need to make a positive impact with your teachers; this starts with trust and building a better teacher via evaluations. This book will lead you in that direction!"

"Dr. Arneson’s research-based Building Trust in Teacher Evaluations is an effective and practical guide for those interested in building trust and creating a more authentic and fertile evaluation environment. Every school leader interested in improved communication and improved teacher performance should read and heed!"

"As school districts across our country are developing and implementing new teacher evaluation systems, I found Building Trust in Teacher Evaluations to be a timely, wonderful, and much-needed resource.

Dr. Shelly Arneson’s use of personal anecdotes as a teacher, counselor, principal, and consultant, and even as a pet lover, are often shared with humor and so easy to relate to for anyone who is or has ever been involved in the school setting. I found myself endlessly nodding in agreement throughout the chapters. Information based on research is shared in language free of a lot of educational jargon which contributes to the reader-friendliness of this book.

If I were still an active assistant superintendent, I would purchase a copy for each administrator in my district and make arrangements for us to do a mandatory book study together. During our book study, we would discuss the value of the principals following suit with their own building-level book studies of Building Trust in Teacher Evaluations.

To ensure readers know what to do in order to implement trust-building and communication strategies straightaway, Dr. Arneson’s book provides easy-to-use, common-sense approaches and examples practical to the educational field, especially with our current national prominence on developing and implementing new teacher evaluation systems."

"As school leaders stand at the threshold of a world of mandated changes, Dr. Arneson offers real life scenarios and applicable strategies for strengthening trust and communication between school administration and teachers.

Dr. Arneson's proactive approach to trust and communication should be explored by all school leaders who are not only focusing on the everyday challenging tasks of a school administrator, but for those administrators who are ready to reflect and strengthen their own practices. 

Dr. Arneson's unparalleled and profound insight on trust and communication is a testament for all school leaders to explore."

"As a teacher leader with over 30 years of experience, I found Chapter 5, “Teach the Process” of Dr. Arneson’s book to be the best advice any district could follow to build solid trust among all stakeholders in communicating the truth about the evaluation process.  If teachers are well-informed participants, they will be actively involved and everyone will learn from one another to advance practices of teaching."