Core characteristics of the social studies teacher from stakeholder perspectives: A comparative analysis

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to identify the core qualities that social studies teachers in Türkiye are expected to possess, based on stakeholder perspectives. Designed as a qualitative case study, the research sought to address the question: “What kind of teacher?” Data were collected from academics, graduate and undergraduate students, and in-service social studies teachers who participated in the International Social Studies Education Symposium held in June 2022. A total of 97 participants contributed their views and experiences during the stakeholder workshops conducted as part of the symposium. The data were analyzed using both deductive and inductive thematic analysis approaches. The findings indicate that, despite notable variations among stakeholder groups, common qualities emphasized for social studies teachers include subject matter knowledge, pedagogical competence, and technological proficiency. A smaller number of participants highlighted qualities such as having a project-oriented mindset and maintaining high motivation. The study offers important implications for the development of undergraduate social studies teacher education programs and highlights the potential role of the Social Studies Educators Association, along with other associations and civil society organizations with similar aims, in collaboratively establishing field-specific standards.