Teacher Observation Strategies: Can evaluations actually bring joy?

About this episode

The episode explores how teacher observations can bring joy and improve teaching practices through trust and strengths-based approaches.

How can it be that teachers all over the country want to be observed ? How can it be that observations of their teaching bring teachers joy ? Today I’m conversing with Craig Randall, founder of Trust-Based Observations and expert in the art of supporting teachers in improving their practice. We go “pretty dang deep,” as Craig put it. Which is good, because classroom observations are super important and are too rarely done well. Until now! Teaching through Emotions is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Listen now on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts . We discuss * Building Trust: The wisdom of focusing on accumulating “trust marbles” before offering suggestions for improvement * Strengths-Based Observations: The importance of battling the deficit mentality and emphasizing teachers’ strengths * Coaching vs. Fixing: How to short-circuit the typical fix-them orientation * The History of Teacher Observation: How we got here (hint: It’s partly A Nation at Risk ’s fault!) Connect & Share Got a story to share? Tell me a story of a disastrous observation! Or tell me about one…

People in this episode

Host: Betsy Burris

Guest: Craig Randall

Topics covered

• teacher observation
• trust-building
• strengths-based approach
• coaching
• educational practices

Keywords

• teacher observation
• trust
• strengths-based
• coaching
• educational improvement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Trust-Based Observations

Books & works: A Nation at Risk

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• Toxic School? Diagnosing narcissistic organizations and changing school culture · April 2, 2026 · 1h 1m
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