Teachers who Attract or Repel: A Glimpse at Student Expectations of their Tertiary-Level Teachers

This study examined student expectations of their tertiary-level teachers, highlighting specific teacher characteristics that either attract or turn off students from their professors. Four hundred and one (401) students were randomly selected from three teacher education campuses in the north and south of Trinidad as well as Tobago. Findings of the study revealed that students generally had high expectations of their teachers on two levels: (i) pedagogical competence and (ii) discipline competence. Findings also revealed that the three teacher characteristics that attract students to their professors were caring for the welfare of students; professionalism; and teaching style. Conversely, students listed unprofessionalism; teacher aggressive attitude; and lack of concern for students as things that repel them from their professors.