Addressing Teacher Supply and Demand by Increasing the Success of First-Year Teachers / John Sweeney and Jerry Whitworth.

This study was designed to clarify beginning teacher characteristics and training that are important for success in various types of school districts. Researchers administered a questionnaire to Texas and Tennessee school personnel. Respondents ranked items in terms of importance, focusing on four categories: personal characteristics, student interaction, group characteristics, and preparation (training areas). Enthusiasm was ranked the most desired personal characteristic for beginning teachers by both groups. Texas respondents deemed empathy the most important student interaction characteristic for teachers, while Tennessee respondents considered child-centeredness and motivation of students the most important interaction characteristics. Texas respondents viewed teamsmanship and cooperation as the most important group interaction characteristics, while Tennessee respondents considered interpersonal skills and teamsmanship the most important group interaction characteristics. In both states, content area, behavior management, and child development were the most desired areas for beginning teacher expertise. In both states, diversity and collaboration were only seen as moderately important. (Contains 48 references.) (SM)

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