Are Award-Winning Teachers Good Teachers? A Case Study of Teacher Perceptions

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: Motivations to Teach

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate three award-winning teachers’ perceptions of what it means to be a good teacher. Data pertaining to the teachers’ lives, perceptions, and ideas about teaching was used to create profiles that provide a glimpse into the teachers’ past experiences and current classroom practices. The teacher profiles were constructed from open-ended, semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and various artifacts such as classroom handouts and award nomination letters. Findings indicate that the teachers believe they are using best practices to ensure student learning, they build personal connections with students, and use creativity to assert control over the curriculum they teach. More work needs to be done to understand the lives and practices of award-winning teachers.

Author

• Gretchen Marie Whitman, University of Wisconsin - River Falls