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				 Determining 
				the standard of one's teaching is a critical aspect of 
				professional growth and continuous improvement in the field of 
				education. Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the minds of 
				future generations, making it essential to assess the 
				effectiveness of their instructional methods. This article 
				delves into the process of self-assessment and external feedback 
				as means to determine the standard of teaching. 
				SELF-REFLECTION AS A TOOL FOR 
				EVALUATION: 
				Self-reflection is a cornerstone of 
				assessing one's teaching standards. Taking the time to analyse 
				lessons, interactions with learners, and overall classroom 
				dynamics provides valuable insights. Here are some key aspects 
				of self-reflection: 
					
					
					Lesson planning 
					and execution: 
					Review lesson plans to assess whether they align with 
					learning objectives and learner needs. Reflect on the 
					execution of lessons, evaluating engagement, clarity, and 
					learner participation.
					
					Learner 
					outcomes: 
					Analyse learner performance, assignments, and assessments. 
					Identify areas of improvement and celebrate successes.
					
					Teaching 
					strategies: 
					Reflect on the variety of teaching strategies employed. 
					Consider if they cater for diverse learning styles and 
					engage all learners effectively.
					
					Classroom 
					management: 
					Evaluate classroom management techniques and the overall 
					learning environment. A well-managed classroom fosters a 
					conducive learning atmosphere.
					
					Feedback and 
					adaptation: 
					Reflect on how learner feedback is incorporated into 
					teaching practices. Adaptation based on learner input 
					demonstrates responsiveness.
					
					Professional 
					development: 
					Assess the extent to which you engage in ongoing 
					professional development. Continuous learning enhances 
					teaching effectiveness. 
				EXTERNAL FEEDBACK FOR HOLISTIC 
				ASSESSMENT: 
				Apart from self-assessment, 
				external feedback offers a well-rounded perspective on teaching 
				standards. Here are sources of external feedback: 
					
					
					Peer observation 
					and collaboration: 
					Colleagues can provide valuable insights through peer 
					observations. Collaborative discussions offer opportunities 
					to share best practices and receive constructive feedback.
					
					Learner 
					feedback: 
					Soliciting feedback directly from learners offers a 
					learner-centered view of teaching effectiveness. Anonymous 
					surveys can encourage honest responses.
					
					School 
					management team (SMT) evaluation: 
					Formal evaluations conducted by the SMT provide an objective 
					assessment of teaching practices against established 
					criteria.
					
					Professional 
					development workshops: 
					Attending workshops and seminars exposes educators to 
					diverse teaching methodologies and enhancing their ability 
					to self-assess.
					
					Parental 
					involvement: 
					Engaging parents in the learning process can yield insights 
					into teaching standards from a different angle. 
				
				CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS: 
				To determine the standard of 
				teaching, educators should embrace data-driven insights gained 
				through both self-assessment and external feedback. This 
				approach enables teachers to: 
					
					
					Identify 
					strengths and weaknesses: 
					By evaluating teaching practices from multiple angles, 
					educators gain a holistic understanding of their strengths 
					and areas that need improvement.
					
					Set goals: 
					Data-driven insights help teachers set realistic and 
					relevant professional development goals that focus on 
					enhancing teaching standards.
					
					Tailor 
					instruction: 
					Armed with accurate feedback, educators can 
					tailor their instructional strategies to cater to individual 
					learner needs effectively.
					
					Build 
					accountability: 
					Engaging in regular self-assessment and seeking external 
					feedback build accountability. Teachers take ownership of 
					their growth and actively work to improve. 
				IN CONCLUSION: 
				Determining the standard of 
				teaching is an ongoing process rooted in self-reflection and 
				external feedback. The commitment to assessing one's teaching 
				practices and seeking multiple perspectives ensures continuous 
				growth and improvement. Embracing data-driven insights allows 
				educators to refine their instructional methods, contribute 
				positively to learner outcomes, and uphold the high standards of 
				education they are entrusted with.   
				SOURCES: 
					
					
					
					Stronge, J. H., & Grant, L. W. (2016). 
					What Makes Good Teachers Good? A Cross-Cultural Comparison 
					of the Relationship between Teacher Effectiveness and 
					Learner Achievement. Journal of Teacher Education, 67(6), 
					407-420.
					
					
					Danielson, C. (2007). Enhancing 
					Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching. ASCD
					
					
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