Identifying characteristics of Technology and Engineering teachers striving for excellence using a modified Delphi

Abstract

Teaching excellence is an expectation for teachers oft expressed by policy makers, parents, taxpayers, professional organizations, and students. Preparing a technology and engineering (TE) teacher who strives for teaching excellence is a fundamental mission of TE teacher education programs in the United States. However, a recent focus upon engineering design concepts within the TE curriculum (Gattie & Wicklein, 2007) and urgent calls to align, coordinate, or integrate TE curriculum in K-12 schools within science and mathematics education (Presidents’ Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, PCAST, 2010) compels teacher education programs to reevaluate their curricular programs.