Spirituality, family influence, and teacher efficacy are the focal points of this research project. Research supports family influence as a powerful support in career selection and the positive effects spirituality has on a teacher's personal and professional life. Self efficacy possessed by a teacher gives them an "I can do attitude." They don't let children fail. This mixed method research project surveyed National Teacher of the Year winners and finalists on measures of spirituality, family, and self efficacy. Seven participants were interviewed and were located in various regions across the United States, to attain richer data to support the quantitative data gained from the surveys. Previous to responding to the surveys, the participants were asked to answer questions about their background such as education, family, and teaching as a calling, ministry/missionary, and years of teaching. Of the ten questions asked on the spirituality survey, the lowest positive rating was 82.34% while the highest was 100%, 7 of 10 responses were above 96%. The survey on family yielded positive rating from 85.29% to 88.57%, while several respondents rated positively in the 70% range. Respondents rated themselves high in self efficacy at 88.24%. Participants believed their spirituality led them to know themselves; believe life is a positive experience; and feel good about the future. Those respondents to the family survey valued communication between family members, closeness with family members, and the family's ability to resolve conflict. The self efficacy survey yielded rich data from the participants and elicited these responses about their belief in their ability to affect change, effectively dealing with unexpected events, able to handle whatever comes my way, and solution oriented. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]