Faculty Evaluation Process & Policy

At the Yoga Veda Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine (YVIAM), we recognize our faculty as the cornerstone of our educational community, deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of Ayurvedic practitioners. Our Faculty Evaluation Process is designed to honor this commitment, fostering an environment of continual growth, professional excellence, and holistic well-being. This narrative outlines our approach, objectives, and the underlying principles of our evaluation process.

 

Faculty Evaluation Policy

Purpose

At Yoga Veda Institute (YVI), we are committed to upholding the principles of Ayurveda in all aspects of our teaching and institutional growth. This policy is designed to ensure the continuous improvement and development of our faculty through reflective, intentional evaluation processes. By aligning our evaluations with our Ayurvedic philosophy of balance, growth, and reflection, we aim to provide a nurturing environment for both students and faculty members. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of education and promote a harmonious learning experience for our community.

Evaluation Process

Our evaluation process is centered on the principle of satya, or truth, encouraging honest, clear, and mindful feedback from students and an intentional, growth-oriented response from faculty. This process ensures that teaching methods are continually evolving and improving to meet the highest standards of excellence.

Student Evaluations

At the end of each quarter, after the completion of the final exam, students are required to complete a Course/Teacher Evaluation form. These evaluations serve as a reflection of the students’ learning experiences and allow them to share their insights on the course content, structure, and the performance of the instructor. This feedback is gathered with the understanding that both positive and constructive input contribute to the growth of the faculty and the overall well-being of the institute.

Dean of Education Responsibilities

The Dean of Education plays a pivotal role in overseeing the faculty evaluation process, ensuring that it remains aligned with Yoga Veda Institute’s Institution of Excellence calendar and the Ayurvedic principle of continual self-reflection and improvement (svadhyaya). The Dean’s responsibilities are as follows:

Review and Log Results

The Dean of Education reviews the results of the student evaluations with care and intentionality, ensuring that they are logged in the Yoga Veda Institute’s Evaluations Database for record-keeping and future reference. The database serves as a valuable resource for tracking the progress of faculty members and monitoring the effectiveness of the curriculum over time.

Schedule Annual Performance Evaluations

In accordance with the Institution of Excellence calendar, the Dean schedules Annual Performance Evaluations with each faculty member. These evaluations are designed to provide an opportunity for faculty members to reflect on the feedback received from students and engage in an open, constructive dialogue about their teaching practices. This step ensures that evaluations are not just procedural but truly an opportunity for meaningful growth.

Annual Performance Evaluations

Annual Performance Evaluations are a cornerstone of our faculty development process, allowing instructors to consciously reflect on their teaching journey while receiving personalized guidance and support. During these evaluations, the Dean of Education meets individually with each faculty member to review the feedback collected from student evaluations and offer constructive suggestions for growth.

The purpose of this meeting is twofold:

  1. To celebrate the strengths of the faculty member and acknowledge the positive impact they have had on their students.
  2. To offer mindful suggestions for improvement, fostering an environment where the upcoming course can build upon the successes of the previous one. This approach is rooted in the Ayurvedic concept of vikasa, or growth, emphasizing that each teaching cycle offers opportunities for refinement and transformation.

Continuous Improvement

At Yoga Veda Institute, we believe that improvement is a continuous, mindful process, not a singular event. By embracing feedback and remaining open to growth, we ensure that our faculty, students, and the overall institution can continue to thrive in alignment with our core values of excellence and balance.

The faculty evaluation process at YVI is not just a system of accountability, but a cycle of renewal that is designed to enhance teaching effectiveness year over year. By reflecting on past experiences and implementing thoughtful changes, we create a sustainable, evolving educational environment where both faculty and students flourish. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that Yoga Veda Institute’s standards of excellence are upheld, while also fostering a compassionate and growth-oriented community.

This policy reflects our commitment to honoring our faculty’s unique contributions while guiding them on a path of ongoing development and alignment with the principles of Ayurveda. Through this thoughtful and intentional process, we ensure that our faculty and institution continue to evolve in harmony with the values that define Yoga Veda Institute.