Chapter 3: The Perceptual Approach To Teacher Dispositions: The Effective Teacher as an Effective Person

Ask people to describe the qualities of a teacher who had a significant positive impact on their lives and they invariably relate such things as: “she believed in us, made us feel worthwhile and had high expectations of us.” “He was enthusiastic, had a great sense of humor and had an infectious excitement for the adventures of living and learning.” “She spooned out freedom and responsibility in equally plentiful doses.” “Under his watchful eye I blossomed that year.” And so on.

When describing their best teachers, people frequently struggle with words to express the deeply meaningful and personal relationship that existed and the life-altering impact it had. Asking thousands of students, friends, and acquaintances about their most effective teachers led to the conclusion that it is not so much what the teacher knows or does rather it is whothe person is that makes all the difference. It is particular human qualities or dispositions in combination with, and shining through, their knowledge and skills that allow some teachers to transform many students’ lives. Over 5 decades of being a student, then a teacher, and now a teacher educator has led the author to the realization of the paramount importance of educator dispositions when it comes to fostering meaningful and lasting learning. The perceptual model described herein offers a means by which dispositions associated with highly effective teachers can be defined, understood and, more importantly, applied to the educator preparation process.