Staff Observation Report

STAFF OBSERVATION REPORT

Helen

EX AM PL E Objectives

Envoys sets high expectations for students on our programs. As a result of our incountry activities, Envoys staff have the rare privilege to witness students developing in amazing ways.

We push them to gain new skillsets, mindsets, and insights about the world around them. The staff reports provide one viewpoint into the particular gains made by each individual student as well as the areas where further growth is needed.

Process

Each Envoys staff member independently rates the student according to observed behaviors and provides comments on student development during the trip.

Envoys staff members then meet as a team to discuss their ratings and comments. All final reports are the result of a consensus among staff members.

Assessment – Staff Observation Tool The following assessment tool consists of

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evaluation criteria for each Envoys outcome – environmental awareness, positive youth development, social and cultural awareness, and enriched learning. Each criterion is captured by a total of 10 indicators that reflect the criteria.

Students are observed by staff throughout the Envoys program to ensure they are meeting each of the criteria through indicators that are designed to be specific, measurable, accurate and reliable. Students are expected to touch upon 4-6 indicators for adequate performance in the Envoys program.

Rubric for Engagement

Failure

➜ ➜

Behaviors were not observed by staff members.

Student consistently failed to respond to directions and encouragement from Envoys staff.

Needs Improvement ➜ Behaviors only observed in response to direct guidance from Envoys staff. ➜ Student consistently performed below expectations.

Adequate ➜ ➜

Behaviors observed independently of Envoys staff directions Student consistently performed at expectations.

Proficient ➜ ➜

Increasing behaviors or development observed during the program Student consistently performed at or above expectations.

Exceptional ➜ Student demonstrated outstanding behaviors throughout program ➜ Student among top 10 percent of all students encountered by staff member during career.

Environmental Awareness

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Student demonstrated understanding of the importance of reducing impact of humans on the environment

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Adequate

Student demonstrated knowledge about and respect for plants and animals

Needs Improvement

Student demonstrated comfort with natural environments and the outdoors

Needs Improvement

Student assisted others to develop greater environmental awareness

Adequate

Positive Youth Development

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Student demonstrated disposition to explore and try new things

Adequate

Student demonstrated independence and ability to take care of himself or herself

Proficient

Student demonstrated emotional intelligence and the ability to respond constructively to difficulty

Adequate

Student demonstrated leadership, responsibility for others, and willingness to assist others to learn

Adequate

Student demonstrated correct social skills and disposition toward others

Proficient

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Social and Cultural Awareness Student demonstrated respect for other program participants and Envoy staff members

Exceptional Adequate

Student demonstrated an empathic desire to understand the perspectives of others in terms of cultural norms, socio-political ideologies, religious beliefs, socio-economic realities, etc.

Adequate

Student demonstrated awareness of differences in terms of way of life and social-economic reality

Adequate

Student demonstrated desire to engage with and collaborate with others to improve our collective humanity

Adequate

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Student demonstrated respect and empathy for community members with whom we interacted

Enriched Learning

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Student demonstrated retained knowledge from preparatory courses

Needs Improvement

Student demonstrated engagement with in-country lessons and reflective activities during the program

Proficient

Student effectively sought answers to inform research and knowledge in a challenging environment

Adequate

Student demonstrated motivation to continue learning after conclusion of the trip

Proficient

III. Comments:

The comments below are compiled from staff observations

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It was clear that Helen was not used to the challenges that

traveling in a 3rd world country would bring. Despite

passing the preparatory courses on malaria transmission vectors, Helen often began the day with clothes that did not provide adequate protection. She thus had to be reminded on multiple occasions to roll down the legs of her pants or to wear long socks. She also had difficulty with wasting food, particularly at the onset of the program, when she continually took too much and left left food on her plate. As the program progressed, Helen showed more and more progress in her behavior, demonstrating a greater awareness of what the outside world holds and how she can navigate it more effectively and empathetically Her naturally introspective view of her experiences allowed her to contribute to the discussions infrequently but significantly. It was clear that Helen started to sense a large gap in her knowledge, and she tried to interact more and more with the group and the locals. She became especially outgoing with the children of the villages and the school we visited. Still, as it’s easier to interact with the children, Helen needs to push herself to engage more with the adult locals, our driver, the hotel owners, and the villagers.

III. Comments:

The comments below are compiled from staff observations

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We were glad to see Helen gradually to take more initiative

be a gracious guest in our encounters. For example, to

during our final meeting with the women’s lending group, she did not initially engage in the dance lessons. However, after encouragement to do so from the women, Envoys staff, and her fellow students, Helen joined in and enjoyed herself. While she was obviously uncomfortable initially, Helen seized the opportunity to expand her comfort zone and demonstrate her willingness to try new things in a foreign environment.

Throughout the program, Helen’s behavior was consistently and impressively mature and overall a positive influence to the other students in the group. It was clear that she had thoughtful insights to her experiences, which she shared on many occasions with the group. It would be good for her to open up more and share more of these insights. We’d challenge her to continue to develop her natural intellectual prowess by reading more on international issues. By doing so, Helen will have more confidence in her opinions.

Helen clearly has a lot of great thoughts and contemplations going on in her head and absorbs and reflects upon her observations and experiences. Because of this powerful trait, Helenwas a great role model and has the potential to be a strong influencer in her community.