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The feedback you provide after a classroom observation can make or break a teacher's motivation and growth. Research shows that specific, actionable feedback delivered within 24-48 hours has the greatest impact on teaching practice.
This guide provides practical phrases, templates, and strategies used by effective instructional leaders to turn observations into opportunities for professional growth.
The 4-Step Feedback Framework
Acknowledge Strengths (2-3 specific examples)
Start with genuine, specific praise about what worked well. Reference exact moments and student responses.
Share Observations (not judgments)
Present what you observed without evaluation. "I noticed..." rather than "You should have..."
Explore Together (ask questions)
Engage the teacher in reflection. "What were you thinking when...?" "How might you approach this differently?"
Plan Next Steps (1-2 actionable goals)
Collaborate on specific, achievable goals with clear timelines and support.
Positive Feedback Phrases That Work
Use these specific phrases to acknowledge effective teaching practices:
For Student Engagement
- • "Your use of think-pair-share at 10:15 had 100% of students actively discussing the concept."
- • "I noticed how you gave wait time after asking questions - students provided thoughtful responses."
- • "The way you circulated during group work and asked probing questions kept everyone on task."
- • "Your enthusiasm for the subject was contagious - students were leaning in and asking follow-up questions."
For Classroom Management
- • "Your transition between activities took less than 30 seconds - impressive efficiency."
- • "I appreciated how you redirected off-task behavior with proximity and non-verbal cues."
- • "The positive reinforcement you gave to table 3 motivated other groups to refocus."
- • "Your clear expectations at the start meant students knew exactly what to do."
For Instructional Strategies
- • "Your use of visual aids helped English learners access the content effectively."
- • "The differentiated materials you prepared met students at their individual levels."
- • "Breaking the concept into smaller chunks with checks for understanding was very effective."
- • "Your real-world examples made abstract concepts concrete for students."
For Assessment
- • "Your exit ticket directly aligned with the learning objective - great formative assessment."
- • "I saw you provide immediate feedback to 5 different students during independent work."
- • "The self-assessment rubric empowered students to monitor their own progress."
- • "Your questioning techniques revealed student thinking, not just right/wrong answers."
Growth-Focused Feedback Phrases
Frame areas for improvement as opportunities for growth:
Instead of Criticism, Try Growth Language:
❌ "Your lesson was too teacher-centered."
✅ "Let's explore ways to increase student voice during instruction. What are your thoughts on incorporating more turn-and-talks?"
❌ "You lost several students during the lecture."
✅ "I noticed some students disengaging around minute 12. What strategies have you tried for re-engaging students mid-lesson?"
❌ "Your instructions were confusing."
✅ "Some students seemed unsure about the task. How might we make the directions more explicit next time?"
❌ "You need better classroom management."
✅ "I'd love to share some proactive strategies that might help with the transition times. Can we schedule 15 minutes this week?"
Powerful Questions for Reflection
Use these questions to promote teacher self-reflection:
Planning & Preparation
- • What was your main learning objective?
- • How did you decide on this instructional approach?
- • What student data informed your planning?
During Instruction
- • What went better than expected?
- • What would you do differently?
- • How did you know students were learning?
Student Engagement
- • Which students were most/least engaged?
- • What patterns did you notice?
- • How might you reach the reluctant learners?
Next Steps
- • What support would be most helpful?
- • What's one thing you want to try next?
- • How will you measure success?
Handling Difficult Feedback Conversations
Sometimes you need to address serious concerns. Here's how:
The CARE Method for Tough Conversations
"I want to discuss the lesson pacing from today's observation. Several students weren't able to complete the activity."
"Help me understand your thinking about the timing. What factors influenced your pacing decisions?"
"Let's work together to find strategies that give all students time to master the content."
"Moving forward, I'd like to see lesson plans that include time estimates and differentiation for struggling students."
Email Templates for Different Scenarios
Template 1: Quick Positive Feedback (Same Day)
Subject: Great lesson today!
Hi [Teacher Name],
Just wanted to send a quick note about my walkthrough this morning. Your use of [specific strategy] during [specific time/activity] was excellent. I particularly noticed how [specific student behavior/outcome].
Keep up the great work! Students are lucky to have you.
Best,
[Your name]
Template 2: Balanced Feedback with Growth Focus
Subject: Observation Follow-up - [Date]
Hi [Teacher Name],
Thank you for welcoming me into your classroom today. I enjoyed seeing your [subject/grade] lesson on [topic].
Strengths I observed:
• [Specific positive example 1]
• [Specific positive example 2]
Question for reflection:
[One thoughtful question about an area for growth]
I'm available [give 2-3 time options] if you'd like to discuss further. Otherwise, I'll check in next week to see how things are going.
Thanks for all you do,
[Your name]
Template 3: Scheduling a Follow-up Conference
Subject: Let's connect about today's observation
Hi [Teacher Name],
Thanks for letting me observe your [class/period] today. I have some thoughts and questions I'd love to discuss with you in person.
Could we meet for 20-30 minutes? I'm available:
• [Option 1]
• [Option 2]
• [Option 3]
Let me know what works best for you. Looking forward to our conversation!
[Your name]
Post-Observation Conference Script
Use this structure for face-to-face feedback meetings:
20-Minute Conference Structure
"Thanks for making time. How are you feeling about the lesson?"
"What went well? What would you change?" (Listen actively)
Share 2-3 strengths with specific evidence, then 1-2 growth areas framed as questions
"What strategies might address this?" "What support do you need?"
Agree on 1-2 specific next steps with timeline. End with encouragement.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
❌ Don't Do This
- • Give generic praise ("Good job!")
- • Focus only on negatives
- • Compare teachers to each other
- • Wait weeks to provide feedback
- • Make assumptions about intent
- • Overwhelm with too many goals
✅ Do This Instead
- • Be specific with evidence
- • Balance strengths and growth
- • Focus on their personal progress
- • Provide feedback within 48 hours
- • Ask questions to understand
- • Pick 1-2 priority areas
Make Feedback Easier with Digital Tools
Many principals find that having observation notes and suggested feedback phrases readily available during conferences saves time and improves conversation quality.
Digital observation tools can automatically generate feedback drafts based on what you observed, giving you a starting point that you can personalize for each teacher.
See how automated feedback suggestions work →Building a Feedback Culture
The best feedback happens in schools where:
Quick Reference: Feedback Phrase Bank
Keep this handy for quick feedback messages:
Opening Phrases
- • "I appreciated seeing..."
- • "Your students benefited when you..."
- • "The evidence of learning was clear when..."
- • "I was impressed by..."
Growth Phrases
- • "Have you considered..."
- • "What might happen if..."
- • "I wonder whether..."
- • "Let's think together about..."
Evidence Phrases
- • "I noticed that 8 out of 10 students..."
- • "During the group work, I observed..."
- • "The data shows..."
- • "When you did X, students responded by..."
Closing Phrases
- • "I'm here to support you with..."
- • "Let's check in next week about..."
- • "Keep me posted on how this goes..."
- • "Thanks for your dedication to..."
Transform Your Feedback Process
Join principals who are saving hours on observation feedback while improving teacher satisfaction and growth.
No credit card required • Includes feedback templates