The NEE POWERHub peer observation tool supports teachers and administrators in building a system of collegial observation and teacher reflection. As teachers work to learn, practice, and perfect new instructional practices, it can be helpful to have frequent classroom observations to gauge and guide progress.

Developing a system of peer observation engages fellow classroom teachers in conducting observations to gather feedback and data to support teachers’ reflection and growth. Peer observations are especially helpful for new teachers, providing them a powerful process to feel supported through job-embedded professional learning.

If your school is just getting started with peer observations, NEE recommends first reviewing our blog on Setting the Foundation for Peer Observation Success. If you are already using peer observations and looking for a tool to help streamline the process, you’re in the right place. The NEE POWERHub online peer observation tool helps schools create an impactful process for peer observations, providing for reflection and planning for improvement that benefits all teachers involved.

Selecting the type of observation

The NEE POWERHub helps the requesting teacher create a meaningful plan that will guide the peer observation. The teacher who wants to engage in a peer observation first selects from one of three options:

  • The teacher wants to observe a colleague with the goal of learning how to better implement a specific instructional practice.
  • The teacher wants a colleague to observe them with the goal of gathering feedback and data on their use of a specific instructional practice.
  • The teacher wants to conduct a self-reflection using a video recording with the goal of analyzing and reflecting on their use of a specific instructional practice.

Using the NEE POWERHub for peer observations

The NEE POWERHub peer observation tool is grounded in research-based best practices. The following is a recommended process for peer observations using the POWERHub tool:

  1. The two teachers meet briefly to discuss scheduling the peer observation and the requesting teacher’s goal for the observation, including which one indicator the requesting teacher will be focused on observing. The teachers discuss pertinent contextual information about the content, students, and teacher.
  2. The requesting teacher creates a new Peer Observation Form in the NEE POWERHub tool. To do this, the teacher will click POWERHub on the left-side menu, then Create/Edit Peer Observation, and finally the gold button for New Peer Observation. **Peer observations do not connect to the evaluation side of the NEE platform, meaning peer observations are used for formative feedback and remain separate from evaluation data.**
  3. The requesting teacher will complete the first section of the Peer Observation Form – Pre-Observation Plan. The peer observation will be shared between both teachers involved, and the initiating teacher can select whether to share the peer observation with other individuals in their building (i.e., instructional coach, mentor, principal). When a peer observation is shared, the other individual will be able to view the form by clicking POWERHub on the left-side menu, then Create/Edit Peer Observation, and the form will show up in their list for viewing. If the teacher selects not to share it with other individuals, the observation will remain confidential between the two teachers involved — or the one teacher involved if it is a self-reflection. After completion of the first section, the teacher will click Save at the bottom of the form.
  4. During the peer observation, the observing teacher acts as a “fly on the wall” to quietly observe instruction and keep the learning environment as normal as possible. The observing teacher will open the Peer Observation Form: Click POWERHub on the left-side menu, then click Create/Edit Peer Observation, find the peer observation form that has been created, and click the Edit button. The observing teacher will complete the second section of the Peer Observation Form – Observation Data. The observer attends to what the teacher and students are doing in relation to the identified focus for the observation and provides as many details as possible within the notes section of the observation form. The aim is to gather information without judgment or subjective comments. After entering comments, click Save at the bottom of the form.
  5. After the observation, the two teachers should meet again within a day or two to discuss what was learned. The observation data will direct the conversation. If the observer is offering feedback, begin with objective statements about what was observed and allow the observed teacher an opportunity to reflect and create a plan for their next steps. If the observer was there to learn, begin with objective statements about what was observed, ask questions, and develop a plan for next steps.
  6. Finally, the teacher who initiated the observation and created the Peer Observation Form will complete the final section – Post-Observation Reflection. Once finished, the teacher can click the Complete checkbox and click Save.
  7. If desired, the initiating teacher can still make edits to the observation form. Click POWERHub on the left-side menu, then Create/Edit Peer Observation, and click Edit next to the observation needing to be revised. Only the teacher who created the observation form will have the option to delete it.

NEE POWERHub Video Demo

Watch the video to see how the process works between two teachers involved in a peer observation.

The Network for Educator Effectiveness (NEE) is a simple yet powerful comprehensive system for educator evaluation that helps educators grow, students learn, and schools improve. Developed by preK-12 practitioners and experts at the University of Missouri, NEE brings together classroom observation, student feedback, teacher curriculum planning, and professional development as measures of effectiveness in a secure online portal designed to promote educator growth and development.