Abstract:

Student voice is the right of students to express their values, opinions, beliefs, and perspectives and actively participate in decision-making at school on issues which shape their educational experiences and influence the policy-making process. Including student voice in decision-making has a two-fold positive impact on students and schools:
a) it helps students develop important and necessary 21st century skills (e.g. communication skills, empathy, self-knowledge, problem-solving) and
b) it fosters engagement and a sense of belonging and citizenship in them.

The purpose of this study was to explore undergraduate students’ views on teachers’ role by writing five questions they would pose to potential teacher candidates as secondary school pupils to hire them. The idea derived from the innovative practice applied in some Australian schools entitled ‘Students hiring teachers’, where students help interview new teachers before they are hired after undertaking a training programme. The sample consisted of ninety-two (92) students at the Department of Pedagogy and Primary Education of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens who attended the elective course ‘School Pedagogy and Teaching Practice’. The method used was qualitative and the data analysis highlighted the most important characteristics that a teacher should possess, according to pre-service students’ views. The results of the research indicate that factors, such as classroom management, teaching methods and techniques, teachers’ studies, qualifications, training, experience and professional development, reasons for choosing the profession, homework assignment, etc. would play a significant role in their final decision. At the same time, the selection of the questions constitutes an indicator of students' image of the ideal teacher and educational setting. Implications for policy, practice, and research are also explored.

Keywords:

Student voice, teacher role, preservice teachers, collaborative decision-making.