Northern Kentucky University
What Favorite Teacher Research Says: Implement Dispositional Growth Plans!
Institution
Northern Kentucky University
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Mark Wasicsko
Abstract
In an effort to further evaluate the effect of educator dispositions, favoriteteachers.org asks people to recall memories of their favorite teacher and list the first characteristic that comes to mind about them. Ongoing research shows that between knowledge, skills, and dispositions of former teachers the greatest factor in determining what makes a teacher someone’s favorite is that the teacher they chose possessed certain dispositional traits. Identifying teacher disposition as the most important factor in favorite teachers, we can examine ways to increase these traits in new, current, and even experienced educators. The benefits of implementing dispositional growth plans may translate into an increase in achievement while saving time and money for the schools. With more teachers demonstrating the desired dispositional traits of favorite teachers, student interest, attendance, and motivation could translate into increased student performance and success. Promoting these desired traits with the development of dispositional growth plans may also increase teacher satisfaction and help to meet the personal and professional needs that many teachers cite as areas of neglect and reasons for quitting the profession. With more than forty percent of new teachers leaving the profession in the first five years, the cost savings to districts and states in reducing attrition could be a real cost savings while promoting an environment more conducive to academic and personal growth for students and teachers alike.
What Favorite Teacher Research Says: Implement Dispositional Growth Plans!
In an effort to further evaluate the effect of educator dispositions, favoriteteachers.org asks people to recall memories of their favorite teacher and list the first characteristic that comes to mind about them. Ongoing research shows that between knowledge, skills, and dispositions of former teachers the greatest factor in determining what makes a teacher someone’s favorite is that the teacher they chose possessed certain dispositional traits. Identifying teacher disposition as the most important factor in favorite teachers, we can examine ways to increase these traits in new, current, and even experienced educators. The benefits of implementing dispositional growth plans may translate into an increase in achievement while saving time and money for the schools. With more teachers demonstrating the desired dispositional traits of favorite teachers, student interest, attendance, and motivation could translate into increased student performance and success. Promoting these desired traits with the development of dispositional growth plans may also increase teacher satisfaction and help to meet the personal and professional needs that many teachers cite as areas of neglect and reasons for quitting the profession. With more than forty percent of new teachers leaving the profession in the first five years, the cost savings to districts and states in reducing attrition could be a real cost savings while promoting an environment more conducive to academic and personal growth for students and teachers alike.