Gifted students and their teachers: influential qualities

Teachers play an important role in the education of students throughout their school careers by providing avenues through which children can feel comfortable to explore. The relationship between students and teachers is crucial in developing positive attitudes and fostering the desire to succeed. Teachers of gifted children face a special challenge that requires them to use their talents in meeting the special education needs of intellectually gifted and talented students. The present study is an attempt to understand the relationship between gifted students and their teachers. The purpose of this study was to determine what qualities of teachers gifted children associate with effective teaching and which of those qualities and attitudes match the characteristics that research suggests effective teachers possess.