Teachers' Characteristics for a Sustainable Future

Abstract

The role of teachers in raising awareness and equipping students with the necessary skills to contribute to a sustainable future is crucial. This study aims to identify the descriptions of the characteristics of effective teachers made by pre-service teachers who have just started university. The research was conducted with the participation of pre-service teachers attending a state university. The data were collected through semi-structured interview forms prepared by the researchers. The interview form was comprised of questions about what the effective and qualified teachers' characteristics are and about what characteristics of effective and qualified teachers would have positive reflections into teaching environments. Each interview lasted approximately 15-20 minutes. The data collected were then put to content analysis. The analyses demonstrated that the participants usually describe effective teachers as individuals who have comprehensive knowledge of their branch and who continuously make self-improvement.