Between Critique and Growth: Teachers’ Meaning-Making of School Administrators’ Observation Feedback
Donabel Marzado
Discipline: Education
Abstract:
This study explores how teachers experience and interpret
classroom observation feedback from school
administrators, reframing it from mere evaluation to a
process of reflective growth, professional learning, and
instructional renewal. Using Colaizzi’s descriptive
phenomenological method, in-depth interviews were
conducted with public secondary school teachers in Davao
City between June and November 2024, supported by
reflective notes and participant validation. Findings
revealed that teachers initially felt tension and
vulnerability but gradually developed openness and
acceptance toward feedback. Through reflection, they
recognized their instructional strengths and areas for
improvement, leading to growth-oriented changes in
teaching practices. The process also nurtured trust,
empathy, and stronger teacher–administrator
relationships, while fostering motivation, accountability,
and a renewed sense of purpose. Ultimately, feedback
became a transformative space for continuous learning
rather than judgment.
References:
- Adams, J. S. (1965). Inequity in social exchange. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 267–299). Academic Press.
- Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.
- Blau, P. M. (1964). Exchange and power in social life. Wiley.
- Brookhart, S. M. (2017). How to give effective feedback to your students (2nd ed.). ASCD.
- Cansoy, R., Türko臒lu, M. E., & Polatcan, M. (2025). Boosting classroom practices through principal feedback: The mediating roles of teacher professional learning and teacher self-efficacy. European Journal of Education, 60(4), e70265.
- Colaizzi, P. F. (1978). Psychological research as the phenomenologist views it. In R. S. Valle & M. King (Eds.), Existential-phenomenological alternatives for psychology (pp. 48–71). Oxford University Press.
- Di艧, O., & Demirkas谋mo臒lu, N. (2025). School learning climate and teacher commitment: The hidden role of school administrators’ sensemaking skills. The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, 34(3), 1051–1062.
- Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
- Espeño, S. R. (2025). Bridging divides: Lived experiences of school heads in conflict management. Online Submission.
- Gan, Z., An, Z., & Liu, F. (2021). Teacher feedback practices, student feedback motivation, and feedback behavior: How are they associated with learning outcomes? Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 697045.
- Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Books.
- Goleman, D. (1998). Working with emotional intelligence. Bantam Books.
- Guskey, T. R. (2002). Professional development and teacher change. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 8(3), 381–391.
- Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice Hall.
- Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer.
- Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage Publications.
- Long, S. R. (2025). Investigating the role of school leaders’ feedback in Texas noncertified teachers’ professional growth and self-efficacy.
- Luthans, F., Youssef, C. M., & Avolio, B. J. (2007). Psychological capital: Developing the human competitive edge. Oxford University Press.
- Masuwai, A., Zulkifli, H., & Hamzah, M. I. (2024). Self-assessment for continuous professional development: The perspective of Islamic education. Heliyon, 10(19).
- Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.
- Schön, D. A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. Basic Books.
- Sims, S., & Fletcher-Wood, H. (2021). Identifying the characteristics of effective teacher professional development: A critical review. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 32(1), 47–63.
- Tarusha, F., & Bushi, J. (2024). The role of classroom observation, its impact on improving teacher’s teaching practices. European Journal of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, 2(2), 718–723.
- Urbano, D., & Gurat, M. (2023). Level of practice in the implementation of DepEd’s results-based performance management system (RPMS).
- Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press.
ISSN 3116-3017 (Online)
ISSN 3116-3009 (Print)