Effectiveness of Teacher Education Program Developed For Teachers of Gifted Students

In this study, in order to prevent unwanted behaviors of gifted students at a secondary school, a 30 hours education program based on Glasser’s choice theory was developed according to Taba model and implemented to subject teachers. During the development of program, in-service training needs of teachers were determined based on interviews with school administrators, counselors, teachers and classroom observations. The training program prepared in line with these needs was implemented by the researcher for ten weeks, to a group consisting of ten teachers. The program includes the ways how students' needs of belonging, power, fun and freedom can be met according to Glasser's choice theory in the school environment, activities in order to develop success identity, internal motivation and responsibility awareness in gifted students. The effectiveness of the education was evaluated by the frequency survey of the behaviors of the students applied to the teachers, teacher interviews and classroom observations. Results showed that education given to the teachers was effective in reducing unwanted behaviors of students and increased the scores of teachers’ in the field of quality teacher-student interaction, creating student centered learning environment, creating quality school environment and preventive behavior management