Throughout continuing education focusing on the adult learner, standardized and sometimes even effective measures of instructor performance have remained elusive. As Smith (2012) stated, "Teaching practice cannot be measured according to lists of competencies or techniques, it cannot be safeguarded by a collection of prescriptions for good teaching, and as such, it cannot be assessed by a neat and clean assessment instrument" (p. 229). How, then, can a professional development institution subsidized by federal tax dollars ensure quality teaching and accountability through objective assessment? This article shares best practices learned from just such an institution regarding an instructor observation tool that emphasizes student-centeredness rooted in adult learning principles (Knowles, 1984).