Ideal teacher characteristics according to secondary education students

This dissertation is a qualitative research intended to determine ideal teacher characteristics for educational institutions. The main purpose of this study is to search out ideal teacher characteristics and qualifications expected by secondary school students who study in quantitative, verbal and equal weighted classes, and to specify the differences, if any, between students? perceptions in these three class types. In this qualitative research study, student essays were used as primary sources of data. The study group of this dissertation is composed of 130 secondary school students who study in Golbasi and Cankaya districts of Ankara in 2010 ? 2011 academic years. The data was collected from the students by asking them to write an essay about ?Ideal Teacher? and was analysed by using content analysis method. When using the content analysis method, the researcher benefited from an ideal teacher characteristics and qualifications checklist that was prepared by adapting and doing credibility practices of a control list of ?Self Evaluation Checklist for Teachers? for Turkey. Student views about ideal teacher characteristics and qualifications were investigated in three categories: ?individual characteristics, professional and academic characteristics and other statements?. Generally, it could be said that students in three different class types expressed close views and perceptions about ideal teacher characteristics and qualifications. Besides, it was observed that there was a set of important view differences between the different class types. In general, there is evidence to say that students have more expectations from their ideal teachers in terms of professional and academic characteristics and qualifications. In ?professional and academic characteristics? of ideal teacher, the most common expectations of students are related to general teaching competences of teachers. Additionally, in ?individual characteristics? category of ideal teacher, it can be seen that students? expectations centred upon ?other individual characteristics? (i.e. communication skills, an ability to be fair). In addition, although quantitative and equal weighted classes? students stated very close number of views to each other about expected ideal teacher characteristics and qualifications, verbal class? students stated fewer views in comparison. Key Words: Secondary Education, Teacher, Ideal Teacher Qualifications, Content Analysis, Self-Evaluation Checklist for Teachers.