Exemplary Teachers' Influence on Their Adolescent Pupils Who Later Became Teachers

Abstract

There are many possible sources that may influence teachers in the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills throughout their careers. The current study analyzes 26 interviews with Israeli female teachers who reported on exemplary teachers from their past who served as role models regarding class management. Contrary to our initial assumption, the respondents of this study could recall only one or two outstanding teachers, mostly from middle and high school, from among the many teachers who had taught them in the past. The findings present outstanding professionals, those who possess unique and unusual personal and professional qualities in the inter-personal, professional and moral-social dimensions. The discussion analyzes how classroom management practices are recalled and why most of the key teachers appeared early in the lives of the respondents, long before they chose to become teachers and attend teachers colleges.