Why Not Teacher Evaluations by Students?

[Addison]

40. Not that I think it matters

but here's my bona fides:

12 years as a K-12 student
4 years as an undergrad in college
3 years as a grad student
3 years as a school counselor in elementary schools
8 years as a volunteer in elementary schools
3 years as a preschool teacher
8 years as a homeschooling parent

Is that enough for me to have an opinion?

Now, assuming it is . . .

Of course childhood is different from adulthood, but not so different that children don't have feelings, thoughts, and unique perspectives, just like adults.

And disregarding those thoughts, feelings, and perspectives is triply counterproductive:

It limits a teacher's awareness of the child's needs; it limits the teacher's own opportunities to grow and improve as a teacher; and it shows a lack of respect for the child which the child is -- believe it or not --quite capable of sensing and responding accordingly.