Evaluating reactivity and promoting successful performance among teachers in the absence of a supervisor

The team worked with three preschool teachers. No children were part of the study.

Teachers used a simple sheet to count each time they gave a positive comment. They did this while the boss was out of the room.

After the session the supervisor looked at the sheet and gave quick feedback. The study used a multiple-baseline design across classrooms.

Positive teacher comments jumped from about 25 to more than 60 each session. The gain held even when the boss stopped watching.

Recording errors also dropped. Teachers kept using the sheet on their own.

Justus et al. (2023) got the same lift in praise with only a $3 hand counter and no boss feedback. The new study shows you can add delayed feedback and still keep the gain.

Agiovlasitis et al. (2025) tried step counters and goal setting with college trainees. The effect was weak. Switching to self-monitoring sheets plus later feedback gave a clearer boost in real preschool jobs.

Petscher et al. (2006) used prompts first, then self-monitoring. The 2026 paper skips prompts and still wins, showing later supervisor feedback can replace upfront prompting.

Mellitz et al. (1983) kept praise up by posting counts on the wall. The new method needs no public chart, so shy teachers may like it better.

You can run this tomorrow. Hand the teacher a tally sheet and tell her you will check it after class. One quick review keeps 60-plus positive comments per session alive, even when you walk out. No extra pay, no gadgets, no long training.