Discusses the need for vocational educators to keep up with developments in their field. Details updating practices at provincial and territorial levels. (JOW)

Explores a number of innovative professional development strategies for teachers. Examines the development and role of a teacher support group in Canada and its efforts to develop a language-process oriented classroom. (HTH)

Teachers must be prepared to meet the needs of a rapidly changing society. Needs of businesses, society, and students must be identified and programs, teaching strategies, and attitudes toward technology; and its mandates must be changed to meet them. (JOW)

Critical reflection is an essential element in teachers' efforts to address the social justice issues that are often part of their lived experiences and those of their students. When educators begin to examine how power, privilege, and widely accepted assumptions about their practice may be working against their goals, such as eliminating forms of…

Outlines criteria for system of professional teacher development/retraining: provides for system/individual needs; includes retraining and ongoing development; is cooperative, integrated, accessible; uses principles of adult education; incorporates teacher involvement; and addresses real classroom needs. Considers obstacles of money, skills,…

Reviews continuing professional educational requirements for Alberta teachers as outlined in proposed and existing policies. Discusses current state of the art in continuing professional education for teachers and considers actions to provide a more solid basis for continuing professional education in Alberta in the future. (NEC)

Discusses the importance of having well-qualified teachers in classrooms and notes that decreasing enrollments and financial cutbacks have sometimes resulted in unqualified instructors teaching English classes. (DF)

This paper profiles Anna Steffin, principal of a Canadian elementary school, who has built a community of learners among her teachers and encourages quality staff development, collegiality, parent participation, and parent teacher cooperation. She promotes her beliefs by being an active participant in all activities. (SM)

Suggests changes in schools in the Northwest Territories to prevent deculturalization of Canada's native students. Programs should recognize their special abilities and needs and include special training for staff members. (JAC)

Contends that evaluating teaching is just as important as evaluating students. Argues that most teacher evaluation does not examine what students actually learn from the teacher. Recommends the use of written entry performance tests and subsequent written tests to evaluate teaching effectiveness. (CFR)

This paper is intended to provide a basis for discussion about staff development in the mathematics education community. It is directed to those who plan staff development programs intended to improve elementary mathematics teachers' classroom practice. Discussion includes the importance of establishing program goals and considerations of the…

In 1978, a kindergarten teacher and a university teacher at the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba, traded jobs. The story of the university teacher's experience in the kindergarten classroom is told in this compilation of monthly newsletter materials. The story begins with thoughts about preparing to teach and ends with a review of…

Following a review of Alberta (Canada) provincial policies related to teacher preparation, certification, evaluation, and professional development, the Council on Alberta Teaching Standards advised the Minister of Education on ideas that should be included in a framework to improve educational quality. The policy positions outlined in this paper…

Two methods of teacher evaluation, summative evaluation and formative evaluation, are examined. The summative theory calls for an assessment of teaching competence on the basis of which judgments may be made on matters pertaining to promotion, tenure, merit salary increments, or dismissal. Summative evaluation is strongly supported because it…

Training for ESL teachers should include linguistic training and application skills, cultural appreciation, second language teaching competencies, and the abilities to design and evaluate curriculum and to select or develop tests. Teacher specialization opportunities, support services, professional development, and the links between research and…