Employing a matrix, we identified teacher characteristics that contribute to each of the activity areas. To do this, we selected and described those characteristics that had the best fit with each of the ten activity areas. Essential teacher characteristics and examples of their use can serve as a model for professional development. By reviewing the statements made by interviewees, teachers should gain insight about how they can establish and maintain positive relationships with workplace representatives, how they can simulate workplace experiences in their own instruction, and how they can help their students gain first-hand knowledge about the workplace. Teachers will also find extensive support for the importance of work in students' lives and the valuable contributions work experiences can make to each and every student.
Prospective teachers can also benefit from the study findings.
It is particularly important for administrators to provide opportunities for teachers to interact with persons in the workplace. In addition, administrators need to provide opportunities for teachers to work in professional teams, especially teams that include workplace representatives. For example, among the concerns stated by workplace representatives was that teachers focused only on their own subject matter and did not have a realistic perspective regarding today's and tomorrow's workplace. This concern may be reduced if persons from the workplace have greater contact with educators and education.