Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

Publication Date

2-1-2012

Abstract

With the increased accountability of educators comes the responsibility of the entire educational community to find ways in which we can help our students succeed in the classroom. In addition, it is important to discover what it takes to keep those students in school Many science teachers enter the profession unprepared to handle the regular classroom routine. Classroom management, grading, lesson planning, setting up labs, and the myriad of other obligations, can leave teachers overwhelmed and sometimes can get in the way of actually helping students be successful. This study investigated how science teachers viewed the importance of developing strong teacher/student relationships to the increase of student success in a science classroom. I attempted to answer 4 major questions: \uf0b7 How do science teachers in a select high school community view the role of interactive relationships in their classrooms and how that might impact their students? \uf0b7 How do science teachers in a select high school community believe they establish successful interactive relationships with their students? viii \uf0b7 What do science teachers in a select high school community believe are some of the outcomes of those relationships? \uf0b7 What do science teachers suggest to increase the teachers ability to form good relationships with their students? A qualitative research method was used including observations, interviews and group discussions of 5 high school science teachers in a small urban school.'

Keywords

Science teachers--United States--Attitudes, Teacher-student relationships, Academic achievement

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Teacher Education

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy

First Committee Member (Chair)

Kathryn Watkins

Second Committee Member

K. Joseph Ho

Third Committee Member

Rosalita Mitchell

Fourth Committee Member

Teresa E. Sheldahl

Fifth Committee Member

Lucretia (Penny) Pence

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