#098 - Craig Randall | Leading the Much-Needed Shift in Teacher Evaluations

In this episode, I sit down with Craig Randall, author of Trust-Based Observations: Maximizing Teaching and Learning Growth, to dive deep into the future of teacher evaluations and educational leadership. We explore why traditional teacher evaluation systems often fall short—and how building trust, fostering psychological safety, and focusing on strengths-based feedback can completely transform school culture.

Craig shares what he has learned about the importance of relational trust in schools, the drawbacks of merit pay for teachers, and how frequent, reflective classroom observations can lead to meaningful professional growth. The discussion also covers the historical context of teacher evaluations, including both Race to the Top and studies by the RAND Corporation that aimed to improve student learning outcomes by overhauling evaluation systems.

Craig and I also discuss the impact of frequent observations, the significance of reflective conversations in building trust and promoting growth among educators, and how principals can integrate these practices into their already busy schedules. We wrap up by talking about the shift from a performance-based culture to a learning culture—one where teachers feel empowered to take instructional risks and collaborate without fear.

Connect with Craig here: https://trustbased.com/meet-craig/

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Trust-Based Observations
03:10 The Ineffectiveness of Traditional Teacher Evaluations
05:48 The Role of Relational Trust in Education
08:53 Historical Context of Teacher Evaluations
11:55 The Shift to Trust-Based Observations
15:05 Building Trust Through Reflective Conversations
17:58 The Impact of Frequent Observations
21:03 Implementation Dips and Growth Mindset
23:47 Conclusion and Future Directions
30:47 Building Trust in Educational Leadership
34:03 Transforming School Culture through Observations
37:58 Navigating Merit Pay and Teacher Evaluation Systems
41:44 Shifting from Performance to Learning Cultures
46:16 Creating a Learning Culture as a New Principal
48:15 Evaluating Educational Leadership Effectiveness
52:30 Best Practices in Classroom Education
56:41 Lessons Beyond the Classroom

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Thoughts shared on the podcast are purely our own and do not represent the views of the Anglophone South School District or the relevant jurisdictions associated with my guests.