An online survey of award-winning literacy teachers was conducted to determine the most influential qualities of literacy teacher educators in teacher preparation programs. Sixty-two recipients of literacy awards participated in the study, representing teachers of excellence from all U.S. geographic regions. Using a backward mapping process, teachers identified a literacy teacher educator who most influenced their own teaching and responded to the online survey (Qualities of Influential Literacy Teacher Educators) about the named educator. Half of the survey participants were interviewed to provide clarification of survey ratings about the influential educator. Findings derived from three triangulated data sources reveal consensus that mentoring is most influential, followed by qualities related to teaching. Research qualities appear to be least influential in teacher preparation. (Contains 3 tables.)