University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Leadership Styles of Successful Teachers in Managing Difficult Classes

Acton, Kurt Douglas

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/68859

Description

Title
Leadership Styles of Successful Teachers in Managing Difficult Classes
Author(s)
Acton, Kurt Douglas
Issue Date
1983
Department of Study
Education
Discipline
Education
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Education, Elementary
Abstract
  • This study was an ethnographic look at classroom management from the perspective of four successful teachers of difficult classes. It examined the environment of their classrooms from the aspects of the curriculum, the leadership qualities, the physical environment of the classroom and the disciplinary practices of the teacher.
  • The study was conducted in a city of 25,000 at three elementary schools. The grade levels observed were 1, 2, 4, and 5. Observations in the classrooms were combined with interviews of the teacher of the class, special teachers who had dealings with the class and the principal of the school. The study took place over one spring semester.
  • The findings of the study emphasized the teacher's role of leader as being of great importance in gaining and maintaining control of a group. While all of the teachers were found to be good leaders, they each had very different styles. The variance of the leadership styles led to further investigation of leadership themes. Five common themes were discovered in each of the four teachers: consistency, authenticity, desire to take charge, concern for quality and concern for the students.
Graduation Semester
1983
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/68859

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