Student Teacher Evaluation Criteria

An example observation guide for teachers in training

Professor and adult education student with laptop at whiteboard in classroom
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by Janelle Cox
Janelle Cox has an M.S. in education. She has provided remedial enrichment curriculums and worked with both bilingual and special needs students.
Updated August 04, 2019

To prepare yourself for a student teacher role, familiarize yourself with the roles and responsibilities of a student teacher. The experience is rewarding, demanding, and depends on periods of review from other teachers and administrators. These general checklists closely align to ones a student teacher would encounter in the field from college professors and mentoring educators. 

Classroom Observation by Cooperating Teacher

Here you will find a question or statement followed by specific areas the cooperating teacher will be observing the student teacher on.

1. Is the student teacher prepared?

  • Do they have an organized, detailed lesson plan and all materials needed?

2. Do they have knowledge of the subject matter and a purpose?

  • Can the student teacher answer students' questions? Can he/she motivate students to peak their interest in the subject matter?

3. Can the student teacher control students' behavior?

  • Keep their attention
  • Involve students in the lesson
  • Stop lesson when needed
  • Aware of individual needs
  • Provide positive reinforcement

4. Does the student teacher stay on topic?

  • Do they follow a logical sequence?

5. Is the student teacher enthusiastic about the lesson they are teaching?

  • Are students excited shown through class participation and behavior?
  • Are the activities appropriate?

6. Does the student teacher have the ability to:

7. Is the student teacher able to present:

  • Enthusiasm?
  • Details?
  • Flexibility?
  • Speech and grammar?

8. Do students actively participate in class activities and discussions?

  • Are students attentive and interested?
  • Are students cooperative and responsive?

9. How do the students respond to the student teacher?

  • Do they follow directions?
  • Do they display understanding?
  • Are they respectful?

10. Does the teacher communicate effectively?

  • Provide visual aids
  • Tone of voice

Areas of Observation by College Supervisor

Here you will find several topics that can be observed during a single lesson.

1. General appearance and demeanor

  • Dresses appropriately
  • Good posture, animation, and smiles

2. Preparation

  • Provides and follows a lesson plan
  • Has knowledge of the material
  • Is organized
  • Is creative
  • Provides teaching aids

3. Attitude towards the classroom

  • Respects students
  • Listens to students
  • Enthusiastic
  • Displays a sense of humor
  • Has patience and sensitivity
  • Helps students when needed

4. Effectiveness of lessons

  • Motivates through instruction and presentation
  • Meets objectives
  • Stays on topic
  • Paces lesson
  • Encourages class participation
  • Carefully directs and explains expectations
  • Uses effective questioning
  • Ability to summarize the lesson
  • Has a concluding activity
  • Correlates lesson with other subjects

5. Presenter effectiveness

  • Speaks clearly using proper grammar
  • Avoids using colloquialisms such as "you guys" and "yeah"
  • Attentive to details
  • Has confidence
  • Board writing is legible
  • Maintains authority

6. Classroom management and behavior

  • Does not embarrass, use sarcasm, or argue with students
  • Remains an adult at all times
  • Does not tolerate or dwell on inappropriate behavior
  • Keeps lesson flowing and knows when to stop or wait

Areas of Observation Used in Self-Evaluation

This list of questions forms the basis of a self-evaluation process for a student teacher.

  1. Are my objectives clear?
  2. Did I teach my objective?
  3. Is my lesson timed well?
  4. Do I remain on one topic too long or too short?
  5. Do I use a clear voice?
  6. Was I organized?
  7. Is my handwriting legible?
  8. Do I use proper speech?
  9. Do I move around the classroom enough?
  10. Did I use a variety of teaching materials?
  11. Do I show enthusiasm?
  12. Do I have make good eye-contact with the students?
  13. Did I explain the lesson effectively?
  14. Were my directions clear?
  15. Did I show confidence and knowledge of the subject?