Effective feedback is crucial for fostering teacher growth and enhancing student learning. By providing tailored feedback after classroom observations, principals not only support teachers in honing their craft but also create a culture of continuous learning.

Although principals may already understand the importance of feedback, it still can be difficult to give for several reasons. Principals might feel uncomfortable providing critique, are not sure what to say, or they might not have sufficient time to fully reflect and plan for the conversation.

To help principals work through the process of planning for and delivering feedback, the Network for Educator Effectiveness has developed the Guide to Effective Feedback Conversations. Within the guide, NEE recently added sample feedback statements meant to give principals some initial ideas for feedback on six indicators of effective teaching practices. The sample statements reflect different levels of teaching effectiveness, from praising exemplary practices to constructive critiques aimed at encouraging improvement.

Let’s dive into some sample feedback statements that can give principals a starting point for their feedback to teachers.

To see even more sample feedback statements, download NEE’s Guide to Effective Feedback Conversations.

Sample Feedback Statements for NEE Indicator 1.2: Cognitive Engagement

Low to Middle Effectiveness (Constructive Critique)

  • Encourage more student participation through questioning or peer teaching to increase engagement and make students feel more involved in the learning process.
  • Give students more choice in their assignments and projects to allow them to explore topics they are passionate about.
  • Provide more positive reinforcement and acknowledge student contributions to encourage greater participation and enthusiasm.

High Effectiveness (Praise)

  • Providing various learning opportunities, such as visual aids and multimedia, has kept students engaged and eager to learn.
  • By setting clear expectations and goals for the lesson, students were more focused and actively involved in the learning process.
  • The feedback students receive about their work has helped them stay motivated and invested in improving their performance.

Sample Feedback Statements for NEE Indicator 4.1: Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Low to Middle Effectiveness (Constructive Critique)

  • Incorporate more open-ended questions to encourage students to think critically and explore multiple solutions.
  • Integrate real-world scenarios to help students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to practical situations.
  • Encourage students to explain their reasoning during problem-solving activities.

High Effectiveness (Praise)

  • Inquiry-based learning has been effective in encouraging students to explore and develop their problem-solving skills.
  • The way complex problems are presented allows students to work through them independently, fostering critical thinking and resilience.
  • Encouraging students to question their assumptions and explore multiple solutions has significantly improved their analytical thinking.

Sample Feedback Statements for NEE Indicator 5.1: Affective Motivation

Low to Middle Effectiveness (Constructive Critique)

  • Incorporate technology and multimedia resources to enhance instruction and capture students’ attention.
  • Build stronger relationships with students to understand their individual motivations and tailor strategies accordingly.
  • Use real-world examples and applications so the material is more relevant and interesting for students.

High Effectiveness (Praise)

  • Energy and passion in the classroom create a dynamic learning environments where students are thriving.
  • Connection with students is exceptional, and it has made learning enjoyable.
  • Each student feels valued and motivated to do their best. Use of positive reinforcement is highly effective.

Sample Feedback Statements for NEE Indicator 5.2: Classroom Management

Low to Middle Effectiveness (Constructive Critique)

  • Prioritize tasks by importance, not just urgency. Focus on the most impactful teaching strategies to maximize time and energy.
  • Set clear time limits for each activity and use visual timers. This helps students stay on track and keeps transitions smooth.
  • Establish routines for transitions. Predictable routines reduce chaos and help students transition from one activity to the next more efficiently.

High Effectiveness (Praise)

  • Class time is well-structured to ensure every minute is used effectively, keeping students engaged throughout the lesson.
  • Transitions between activities are seamless, which minimizes downtime and maintains students’ focus.
  • The classroom space is well-organized, allowing for a smooth flow of movement and efficient use of resources.

Sample Feedback Statements for NEE Indicator 5.3b: Teacher-Student Relationships

Low to Middle Effectiveness (Constructive Critique)

  • Encourage students to share their thoughts and feelings. Be open to feedback from them. This creates a more inclusive and respectful classroom environment.
  • Consistently model respectful behavior in the classroom, in hallways, and in interactions with students. This sets the tone for how students should interact with the teacher and with each other.
  • Learn more about students’ individual backgrounds, interests, and challenges. Personalizing interactions will make students feel more understood and valued.

High Effectiveness (Praise)

  • Getting to know each student personally has created a welcoming environment where students feel valued and respected.
  • Showing genuine interest in students’ lives outside of the classroom has established trust and stronger connections with them.
  • Effectively listening to students’ concerns and ideas has fostered a sense of mutual respect and open communication.

Sample Feedback Statements for NEE Indicator 7.4: Formative Assessment

Low to Middle Effectiveness (Constructive Critique)

  • Consider using more targeted questioning strategies to check in on individual students’ comprehension and ensure everyone is keeping up with the material.
  • Spend more time observing students during group work to monitor both class-wide engagement and individual participation.
  • Use data from assessments more strategically to inform lesson planning, ensuring both the whole class and individual students are progressing.

High Effectiveness (Praise)

  • Consistent use of formative assessments has provided valuable insights into both class-wide understanding and individual student progress.
  • Efforts to differentiate instruction after observing students’ varying levels of understanding has ensured each student remains challenged and supported.
  • Analyzing classroom data has helped to identify trends and address areas where the whole class might need additional support.

Additional sample feedback statements can be seen by downloading NEE’s Guide to Effective Feedback Conversations.

Aaron Jones, Ed.D., is a trainer and field support representative for the Network for Educator Effectiveness. He joined NEE in 2024 after spending more than 30 years in K-12 education as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent.

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.