A Community-Based Assessment of Teacher Competencies at a University-Based Enrichment Program for the Gifted

• In Event: 75.062 - Poster Session 18
  In Poster Session: 75.062-4 - Poster Session: Research on Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the views and perceptions of the community members of an enrichment program for gifted students about the critical traits and competencies for instructors who work with this group. Six focus groups were conducted with students, instructors, and administrative and staff members of the program. Traits and competencies mentioned by community members were grouped into four domains: teacher preparation, teaching, intrapersonal, and interpersonal traits. The complexities of the profile generated by this community-based approach are consistent with current literature on teacher profiles and teaching models for the gifted, and also help to shed light about improving instructors' current performance, designing a more rigorous selection process for future instructors, and improving teacher preparation programs.

Authors

• Maria Paz Gomez-Arizaga, Universidad de Santiago de Chile

• Leonor Conejeros-Solar, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso