Over the past 15 years a number of studies and official statements have considered characteristics and competencies of effective middle/junior high school teachers. Thirty-eight items found to be present in several studies were used to form a questionnaire, sent to 500 members of the National Middle School Association, about the importance of certain characteristics and competencies in middle/junior high school teachers. The 160 respondents described the most effective middle/junior high school teacher as one who genuinely likes and respects people, and who is committed to working with "transescents," or young people in transition from childhood to adolescents; listening to and talking with them; and assisting in their development of positive self concepts. Four sets of subgroups were used for purposes of data analysis: primary role of employment, community population, building enrollment, and school program. When responses were analyzed by these subgroups, a number of differences were found, but no meaningful pattern was identified. (JD)