Jose Manuel Soria

Jose Soria's Response:

Even though data is critical to measure what students learned, the same can be said for teachers. In my experience as an elementary teacher, I have measured students' performance using other tools of evaluation as portfolios, interviews, constructive responses, and research projects that are often overlooked and undermined by State Tests. In comparison,
teachers, like students, should be evaluated not on what a Standardized Assessment might state, but what the actual students and parents say about their teacher. My rapport with parents is transparent and effective, once my goals and objectives are shared. In turn, my evaluation should be based on what the data states, but also on what my students have learned through out the year. I have been assigned to some of the "toughest" kids in South L.A, and the end of the year, they have demonstrated growth academically and socially.In conclusion, I may somewhat disagree with my Overall Performance of Average, becuase I see myself as a teacher that is implementing the latest research based strategies to teach kids and I have continued my education by earning a Master's Degree in Reading Specialization. I have lead Professional Development workshops as a Grade Level Chair and I have been an exemplarary teacher for my colleagues. When in doubt, take a look at last year's data regarding my students to see if I am an "Average" teacher, and ask my students, "What do you think of Mr. Soria?" Look at the 2010 data of my 4th graders at Hillside ES, and verify if I am an "Average" teacher!!!! Thank you for your time and cooperation.