Unique Student Strengths and Needs Require Unique Teacher Evaluation Methods.
Teacher evaluation should never be used in a "one-size-fits-all" manner, especially when evaluating all teachers who work with English Learners (ELs) and students with disabilities.
Evaluations of all teachers who work with diverse learners require unique considerations. Such considerations are precisely what you'll learn in this comprehensive, action-oriented book. Backed by research and case studies, the authors detail:
Diane Staehr Fenner
Prior to forming DSF Consulting, Dr. Staehr Fenner gained research and EL policy experience at George Washington University's Center for Excellence and Equity in Education. Her instructional background includes a decade as an ESOL teacher, dual language assessment teacher, and ESOL assessment specialist in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia. She writes a popular blog that provides practical information and strategies for teachers of ELs for the Colorn Colorado website. Her first book published by Corwin Press was Advocating for English learners: A guide for educators (2014). She coauthored a book with Natalie Kuhlman that was published by TESOL International Association, titled Preparing Effective Teachers of English Language Learners (2012). Dr. Staehr Fenner is a frequent speaker at conferences across the nation.
Unique Student Strengths and Needs Require Unique Teacher Evaluation Methods.
Teacher evaluation should never be used in a "one-size-fits-all" manner, especially when evaluating all teachers who work with English Learners (ELs) and students with disabilities.
Evaluations of all teachers who work with diverse learners require unique considerations. Such considerations are precisely what you'll learn in this comprehensive, action-oriented book. Backed by research and case studies, the authors detail:
Diane Staehr Fenner
Prior to forming DSF Consulting, Dr. Staehr Fenner gained research and EL policy experience at George Washington University's Center for Excellence and Equity in Education. Her instructional background includes a decade as an ESOL teacher, dual language assessment teacher, and ESOL assessment specialist in Fairfax County Public Schools, Virginia. She writes a popular blog that provides practical information and strategies for teachers of ELs for the Colorn Colorado website. Her first book published by Corwin Press was Advocating for English learners: A guide for educators (2014). She coauthored a book with Natalie Kuhlman that was published by TESOL International Association, titled Preparing Effective Teachers of English Language Learners (2012). Dr. Staehr Fenner is a frequent speaker at conferences across the nation.
Foreword by Melanie Hobbs and Giselle Lundy-Ponce
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
1. Need for an Inclusive Teacher Evaluation Framework
2. Foundations of Education of English Learners
3. Foundations of Education of Students With Disabilities
4. Principle 1: Committing to Equal Access for All Learners
5. Principle 2: Preparing to Support Diverse Learners
6. Principle 3: Reflective Teaching Using Evidence-Based
Strategies
7. Principle 4: Building a Culture of Collaboration and
Community
8. Empowering Educators Through Coaching
References
Index
Diane Staehr Fenner, PhD, is the president of SupportEd
(SupportEd.com), a woman-owned small business located in the
Washington, DC, metro area that she founded in
2011. SupportEd is dedicated to empowering multilingual
learners and their educators. Dr. Staehr Fenner leads her
team to provide ML professional development, coaching,
technical assistance, and curriculum and assessment
support to school districts, states, organizations, and
the U.S. Department of Education. Prior to forming
SupportEd, Dr. Staehr Fenner was an English
language development (ELD) teacher, dual language
assessment teacher, and ELD assessment specialist in Fairfax
County Public Schools, VA. She speaks German and Spanish and
has taught in Berlin, Germany, and Veracruz, Mexico. Dr.
Staehr Fenner grew up on a dairy farm in central New York and
is a proud first- generation college graduate. She has
written eight books on ML education (and counting), including
coauthoring Culturally Responsive Teaching for Multilingual
Learners: Tools for Equity and authoring Advocating for
English Learners: A Guide for Educators. She is a frequent
keynote speaker on ML education at conferences across North
America. She earned her PhD in Multilingual/Multicultural
Education at George Mason University
and her MAT in TESOL at the School for International Training. You
can connect with her by email at Diane@SupportEd.com or on
Twitter at @DStaehrFenner. Ayanna Cooper, EdD, is a consultant,
advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse learners, and is
currently serving on the executive board of TESOL International
Association. As owner of ACooper Consulting, her projects involve
providing technical assistance internationally and to state
departments of education, school districts, and nonprofit
organizations. In addition to being an author, Dr. Cooper has
contributed to a number of publications, such as the WIDA
Essential Actions Handbook and Language Magazine. She also writes a
monthly blog focused on the civil rights of English learners for
TESOL International Association. As a plenary speaker and frequent
conference presenter, she has had the opportunity to share her work
across the United States and internationally. In addition to
teaching English as a second language, she has held a number of
positions throughout her career, such as English learner
instructional coach, urban education teacher supervisor, Title III
director, and bilingual program specialist. Dr. Cooper is a U.S.
Department of State English Language Specialist alumna.
"This book is a must read for today’s teachers and administrators.
By viewing diverse students and their educators as assets,
identifying research-based strategies, and offering practical
examples, Staehr Fenner, Kozik, and Cooper provide a framework for
rich instructional conversations that moves teacher evaluation from
the blame game, that beats educators down, to a collaborative and
informative process that empowers teaching effectiveness and
student learning."
*Spencer Salend, Emeritus Professor of Educational Studies*
"Teacher evaluation is perhaps the last vestige of segregated
education; a situation that can only be remedied by thoughtful
proposals for authentic change. In this ground-breaking text,
Staehr Fenner, Kozik and Cooper move the field forward by providing
a theory and research based framework for preparing, evaluating and
supporting teachers to effectively educate all students, including
English language learners and students with disabilities. Rather
than retrofitting typically used evaluation tools, the proposed
framework embraces UDL by considering the principles and practices
associated with effective inclusive schooling from the
outset. Teachers, administrators, and teacher educators can
easily use this framework to tailor their own processes for
promoting professional development and teacher effectiveness."
*Leslie C. Soodak, Professor of Education*
"Educating the growing number of English Learners in Pre-K - 12
educational settings can no longer be the sole responsibility of
ESL and bilingual experts. All teachers and administrators
must build new competencies in order to reach this diverse group of
students and develop their full potential. In this context,
what constitutes a fair and effective teacher evaluation system? In
this book, the authors successfully outline an objective assessment
framework that builds educators′ individual and collective capacity
to improve their practice not only with ELs but with all their
students. A must read for teachers and evaluators alike."
*Rosa Aronson, Executive Director*
"When teacher evaluations became part of our school accountability
system I wondered how effective teaching of students with
disabilities would be addressed. This book provides the answer! I
am particularly impressed with how reflective practice is embedded
within the process described in this book. It’s a must-have for any
teacher evaluator who wants to assess how teachers are teaching all
students well within an inclusive classroom."
*Cheryl M. Jorgensen Ph.D., Educational Consulting*
"Drs. Staehr Fenner, Kozik, and Cooper have started an essential
conversation. Schools serve increasingly diverse populations and in
order to do that well, all aspects of the school culture must
support inclusive practices. Teacher evaluation should include
attention to the needs of ALL students and support evaluators to
create an atmosphere of cohesiveness among general and special
education teachers as they work together to improve learning
outcomes for all students. I would recommend this text to anyone
who evaluates teachers, the practical scenarios and look-fors will
help evaluators think about how to best structure pre- and
post-observations, as well as providing helpful guidelines for
consideration during observations. There is great urgency to ensure
that teacher evaluation doesn’t move forward without inclusive
attention to the needs of ALL students and the practices their
teachers employ."
*Jessica A. McCord, PhD, Educational Consultant*
"This book is an invaluable resource that addresses a critical,
national issue facing teacher evaluation systems as teachers and
their evaluators grapple with determining how the standards of
teaching practice – what teachers should know and be able to do –
apply to general education classrooms with English Language and
student with disabilities. The authors’ four fundamental principles
undergird a thoughtful, informative process supported by research,
practitioner’s voices, and common sense strategies to assess and
enhance teacher effectiveness. This book provides a real service to
teachers and evaluators by making the complexities of teacher
evaluation a meaningful experience with profound benefit, not only
for educators, but all students and the schools in which they are
enrolled. "
*Lawrence T. Waite, Director of Educational Services*
"This book is an essential tool for teachers, administrators, and
parents who strive to level the playing field by providing every
child with an equal opportunity to learn. The authors have
addressed the important topics of what teachers need to know to
create a positive learning environment for all students, including
English learners and those with special needs. It includes
evidence-based effective practices that evaluators should look for
in inclusive classrooms and professional development ideas to
develop a community of learners. Teacher evaluation with diverse
populations in our 21st century classrooms is challenging. Diane
Staehr Fenner, Peter Kozik, and Ayanna Cooper have created a
compendium of resources that many will find helpful."
*Dolores Burton, Author*
"Fenner, Kozik, and Cooper have hit the mark! Educators,
administrators, and evaluators now have a valuable resource to
assist them as they navigate the world of teacher evaluation.
Clearly, these authors have their fingers on the pulse of today’s
schools, excellently articulating the issues and challenges
associated with educating diverse learners. They describe the
conditions necessary for English learners and students with
disabilities to meet with success while also articulating the
factors that lead to an educators’ success. Their chapters
dedicated to the four principles of inclusive teacher evaluation
provide the reader with a deeper understanding of the supporting
research as well as practical strategies for implementation.
The case examples, in addition to the tables, graphics, and sample
documents are valuable in that readers can immediately replicate
these strategies. Also, the quotations throughout the book
illustrate the practicality of the material. I look forward to
using this book in several of my teacher preparation courses as
well with educators who are very much in need of guidance on this
important issue."
*Kathleen M. Feeley, Associate Professor*
"This book is not just for evaluators! It is for every educator who
seeks guidance on improving learning for English learners and
students with disabilities within inclusive classrooms. It offers a
clear, detailed, research-based portrait of what these diverse
learners need to thrive academically. Too few school leaders or
teachers have the "look-fors" in sufficient detail to affect
change. This is why program improvement, for too many schools and
classrooms, remains elusive and seemingly unattainable. Refining
our practices for meeting the needs of these diverse learners
within general education is one of the most crucial issues our
schools face today. I found the authors’ recommendations for
reflective teaching, schoolwide collaboration, coaching, parent
engagement, and community building particularly valuable. A much
needed yardstick for measuring program effectiveness schoolwide
with English learners and students with disabilities."
*Timothy J. Boals, Ph.D.*
"This book is a must read for today’s teachers and administrators.
By viewing diverse students and their educators as assets,
identifying research-based strategies, and offering practical
examples, Staehr Fenner, Kozik, and Cooper provide a framework for
rich instructional conversations that moves teacher evaluation from
the blame game, that beats educators down, to a collaborative and
informative process that empowers teaching effectiveness and
student learning."
*Spencer Salend, Emeritus Professor of Educational Studies*
"The four principles for inclusive teacher evaluation discussed in
this book complement the systems used by many states and extend
that work to support inclusive systems for students and teachers.
As we know in working with historically marginalized students, such
as those who are ELL and have extensive learning needs, separate is
not equal. By illustrating how teacher evaluation systems may be
more inclusive, this book begins an important conversation about
creating, supporting, and sustaining inclusive programs where all
students are successful. The look fors and practical questions for
evaluating the four principals are a great step forward in
inclusive systems."
*Dr. Deborah Taub*
"This book is an invaluable resource that addresses a critical,
national issue facing teacher evaluation systems as teachers and
their evaluators grapple with determining how the standards of
teaching practice - what teachers should know and be able to do-
apply to general education classrooms with English Language
learners and students with disabilities. The authors′ four
fundamental principles undergird a thoughtful, informative process
supported by research, practitioners′ voices, and common sense
strategies to assess and enhance teacher effectiveness. This book
provides a real service to teachers and evaluators by making the
complexities of teacher evaluation a meaningful experience with
profound benefit, not only for educators, but all students and the
schools in which they are enrolled."
*Lawrence T. Waite, Director of Educational Services*
"With Evaluating ALL Teachers of English Learners and Students
with Disabilities, Diane Staehr Fenner, Peter Kozik, and Ayanna
Cooper not only offer a critical contribution to the professional
literature, but much needed practical guidelines for educators in
the field as well. Kudos to this team for addressing equity in
teacher evaluation in such a powerful way!"
*Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld*
"This is an excellent resource for educators and evaluators who
want to ensure that teacher evaluation systems more fully
incorporate best practices for educating English language learners
and students with disabilities."
*Diane August, Managing Researcher*
"At a time when there is still so much confusion about what
‘evaluation’ means for teachers of English learners and students
with disabilities, Staehr Fenner, Kozik and Cooper provide a
practical and useful look at resources not only to evaluate
teachers but to guide and develop their instruction. Staehr Fenner,
Kozik and Cooper offer a meaningful framework for organizing and
implementing teacher evaluation systems as well."
*David Nieto, Division Administrator*
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