This research focuses on the public school teacher in the social role of national hero/heroine in the decade of the 1980's. Using historical background which highlights the traditional attitudes of United States' society toward the school and teacher, the phenomenon of the teacher as a national hero figure in the 1980's is examined. Sociologist Orrin Klapp's theory of the process used to create the heroic social type in society is employed to analyze case studies of teachers Christa McAuliffe and Jaime Escalante in an attempt to determine what factors contribute to or inhibit the elevation of the teacher to national hero/heroine status. The factors identified are then used to suggest a possible heroic conceptionalization of teaching.The position taken by the researcher is that the idea of teaching as vocation should be given re-consideration as a basis for the development of a heroic paradigm of instructional endeavor. Teaching at its best is more than a job. Teaching can be viewed as a humane and compassionate response to the calling of the children of society. The desire to make a difference in the lives of students by meeting their educational needs is a compelling motivation for those who enter teaching. The willingness of teachers to persevere in the pursuit of their students' best interest while facing significant social and occupational impediments not only serves the greater good of the whole society but displays the act of teaching as an intrinsically heroic endeavor. / Department of Secondary, Higher, and Foundations of Education
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/179031 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Nelson, William George |
| Contributors | Jones, Donald W. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | iii, 165 leaves ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
| Coverage | n-us--- |
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