<p> <b>Purpose:</b> The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to compare the self-perceptions of emotional intelligence (EQ) in teachers of the year at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and the ways in which teachers of the year describe the impacts of EQ traits on classroom performance.</p><p> <b>Methodology:</b> The target population for this study was district teachers of the year from Riverside County, California, for the years 2012, 2013, and 2014. Data were first collected for the quantitative portion of the study using the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal–Me Edition (online), which revealed teachers’ overall EQ scores as well as a breakdown of their scores based on the four EQ traits of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. Questionnaires filled out by the highest scoring appraisal participants explored how the EQ traits of the participants were exhibited in their classroom performance.</p><p> <b>Findings:</b> Participants from elementary school, middle school, and high school rated themselves fairly high in EQ based on mean scores for each group. When comparing the three groups of teachers, there were no significant differences noted. There was no highest EQ trait that stood out for any group of teachers, as scores varied and were fairly evenly distributed among the traits. Finally, the questionnaires revealed the following emotionally intelligent behaviors that are exhibited by teachers in their classrooms: understanding their own emotions, understanding the consequences of their actions, reflectiveness, not letting emotion control their behavior, understanding others and reacting appropriately to achieve goals, being aware of student emotions, being supportive of students, building relationships/trust with others, recognizing needs of self, recognizing needs of students, and setting clear expectations for students. </p><p> <b>Conclusions:</b> Even in this group of top performing teachers of the year, there is room for growth in EQ. There was no general consensus on self-assessment of EQ among this particular population. Finally, EQ traits contribute to a productive learning environment and better student-teacher relationships.</p><p> <b>Recommendations:</b> District leaders and credentialing programs need to begin taking EQ seriously and looking at it as a way to improve relationships among not only teachers and students but all staff members as well.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10108344 |
| Date | 03 June 2016 |
| Creators | Barrios, Michelle |
| Publisher | Brandman University |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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