Preferred Teacher Competences Among Elementary School Students

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding Classroom Management Through Perceptions and Scenarios

Abstract

A journal written for elementary school students, Kamratposten, openly asked their readers to nominate why their teacher was “Sweden’s best teacher.” The journal editors got more than 1000 answers from students nominating individual teachers from all over Sweden. Applying a review done by Nordenbo, et al. (2008), the paper shows that these students preferred teachers who were competent in multiple ways: they knew their subject well, had the ability to create good relationships to their pupils, and showed leadership qualities when conducting lessons. In light of Ziehe’s research (2000, 2010, 2012), one can conclude that their teachers offer them a setting in which they find opportunities to develop and learn through experience – something they probably were not provided with elsewhere.

Author

• Marcus Samuelsson, Linköping University