A model of the characteristics of outstanding teachers of the gifted was developed and validated using a technique developed in industry that is based on intensive interviewing of current job holders who have been nominated by peers as possessing exemplary characteristics. Ten outstanding and 10 average teachers of the gifted were interviewed. Outstanding teachers of the gifted differed from average teachers of the gifted on several critical competencies: enthusiasm, self-confidence, being a facilitator, being able to apply knowledge, having a strong achievement orientation, commitment to the role of gifted educator, and building program support for the gifted education program.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Altman, R., Faherty, A., & Patterson, J.D. (1978). Project CITE-Gifted: Competency identification for teacher education. Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (Eric Document Reproduction Service No. ED 182 879).
2.
Bishop, W.E. (1981). Characteristics of teachers judged successful by intellectually gifted, high achieving high school students. In W.B. Barbe & J.S. Renzulli (Eds.), Psychology and education of the gifted (pp. 422-432). New York: Irvington.
3.
Brandwein, P.F. (1981). The gifted student as future scientist (pp. 63-70). Ventura, CA: Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Office.
4.
Brophy, J.E., & Good, T.L. (1986). Teacher behavior and student achievement. In M.C. Wittrock (Ed.), Handbook of research on teaching (pp. 328-375). New York: MacMillan.
5.
Cangemi, J.P. (1979). How culturally different, gifted, and creative students perceive their teachers. Clearing House, 52, 419-420.
6.
Donaldson, C.A. (1977). Essential competencies of teachers of the gifted (Master's thesis, University of Alabama in Birmingham , 1977).
7.
Feldhusen, J.F. (1985). The teacher of gifted students. Gifted Education International, 4(1), 41-42.
8.
Foxworth, M.D., & Karnes, F.A. (1983). Occupational stress and the teacher of gifted elementary students: A preliminary investigation. Roeper Review , 6, 105-107.
9.
Frasier, M.M. (1977). The third dimension. Gifted Child Quarterly, 21, 207-213.
10.
Gear, G. (1979). Teachers of the gifted: A student's perspective . Roeper Review, 1 (3), 18-20.
11.
Goleman, D. (1981). The new competency tests: Matching the right people to the right jobs. Psychology Today, 15(1), 34-46.
12.
Gowan, J.C., & Bruch, C. (1967). What makes a creative person a creative teacher?Gifted Child Quarterly, 11, 157-159.
13.
Haefele, D.L. (1981). Teacher interviews. In J. Millman (Ed)., Handbook of teacher eualuation (pp. 41-57). Beverly Hills: SAGE.
14.
Hultgren, H.M. (1981). Competencies for teachers of the gifted. Dissertation Abstracts International, 42, 2082A. ( University Microfilms No. 8121433).
15.
Lindsey, M. (1980). Training teachers of the gifted and talented. New York: Teachers College Press.
16.
Maker, C.J. (1975). Training teachers for the gifted and talented: A Comparison of models. Reston, VA: Council for Exceptional Children.
17.
Martinson, R.A., & Wiener, J. (1968, June). The improvement of teaching procedures with gifted elementary and secondary school students (USOE Research Project No. 6-1244). Gardena, CA: California State College, Dominquez Hills, (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 024 185).
18.
McClelland, D.C. (1973). Testing for competence rather than for "intelligence ." American Psychologist, 28, 1-14.
19.
McNary, S.R. (1967). The relationship between certain teacher characteristics and achievement and creativity of gifted elementary school students. Washington, DC: United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. Ed 060 479).
20.
Milgram, R.M. (1979). Perception of teacher behavior in gifted and nongifted children. Journal of Educational Psychology, 71, 125-128.
21.
Mulhern, J.D. & Ward, M. (1983). A collaborative program for developing teachers of gifted and talented students. Gifted Child Quarterly, 27, 152-156.
22.
Pierson, D.M. (1985). Effective teachers of the gifted: Their characteristics and the relationship of self-selection. Dissertation Abstracts International, 46, 1596A. (University Microfilms No. DA85-17-550).
23.
Sanderlin, O. (1973). Teaching gifted children (pp. 126-141). New York: A.S. Barnes.
24.
Seeley, K.R. (1979). Competencies for teachers of gifted and talented children. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 3, 7-13.
25.
Silverman, L.K. (1980, October/November). How are gifted teachers different from other teachers? Paper presented at the annual convention of the National Association for Gifted Children, Minneapolis, MN.
26.
Sisk, D. (1975). Teaching the gifted and talented teacher: A training model. Gifted Child Quarterly, 19, 81-88.
27.
Story, C.M. (1984). Facilitator of learning: A microethnographic study of the teacher of the gifted. Dissertation Abstracts International , 45, 1029A. (University Microfilms No. DA84-16-076).
28.
Strang, R.M. (1959). Qualities in teachers which appeal to gifted children . In P. Witty, J. Conant, & R. Strang (Eds.), Creativity of gifted and talented children (pp. 43-57). New York: Teachers College Press.
29.
Torrance, E.P. (1981). Predicting the creativity of elementary school children (1958—80)—and the teacher who "made a difference." Gifted Child Quarterly, 25, 55-62.
