Summarizes suggestions from child care directors concerning recruitment and retention of high quality staff. (BB)

Workplace factors that affect teacher commitment include teacher autonomy and efficacy, participation, feedback, collaboration, learning opportunities, and resources. The paper details five strategies to help teachers enhance their personal level of commitment (being responsive, getting involved, seeking feedback, developing a plan to maximize…

The school-reform movement has not as yet helped to relieve teachers of their nonteaching duties. One result of shared decision making is that some principals have replaced student-supervisory duties with that of committee work. These duties can take as much time as many of the traditional nonteaching duties. One way to improve teacher morale and…

This digest, addressed to prospective teachers, consists of questions and answers that provide information on such topics as teachers' responsibilities, how to become a teacher, teacher supply and demand, salaries, and working conditions. References are included. (JD)

Although administrators cannot totally eliminate stress in the schools, they can reduce excessive stress that results in an unfavorable and often damaging climate. One method for doing this is to create an atmosphere of calm and order. Such an atmosphere results from defining and formulating objectives, converting those objectives into action,…

This guide to becoming a teacher includes six sections: (1) "A Snapshot of the Profession" (e.g, reasons to teach, the need to improve schools, working conditions for teachers, areas of high teacher demand, and how to find out more); (2) "Preparing to be a Teacher" (e.g., a primer on teacher education programs, three pathways to the classroom,…

Written to shed light on the unique recruitment and retention problems faced by rural and small school districts, this booklet also presents strategies to address these problems. Among problems noted in the opening overview are that recruiting and retaining good teachers in rural and small schools is complicated by inadequate pay which does not…

This user-friendly tool for retaining quality teachers--especially those in special education--contains a framework for action that can be used to create a plan at the school or district level, or to strengthen existing plans. Target audiences include state and local administrators for general and special education, including superintendents,…

This article reports perceptions of a first-year teacher of students with learning disabilities. First-year challenges are described, as well as views on assessment, accountability, and inclusion. Recommendations are made for new teachers and steps that teacher educators, school administrators, and experienced teachers can take to ensure the…

This handbook for Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) adjunct faculty presents a variety of information designed for adjunct lecturers in English. Three short introductory sections focus on general information, helpful hints, and the use of office machines. The body of the handbook contains the following sections: (1) Services, including…

In Australia, many teachers begin their careers in rural schools, a posting for which they are often ill-prepared. This book addresses the concerns of beginning teachers or other teachers about to take up rural appointments. The first chapter examines the context of rural schools, differentiates between "rural education" (education…

This manuscript, divided into four sections, was prepared specifically to assist the beginning teacher. A transcript of a video tape entitled "Bridging the Gap" focuses on the expectations and anxieties of the beginning teacher and presents suggestions for success during the first year. A list of focus questions for discussion accompanies the…

In the past decade, increased demands on teachers have often resulted in situations conducive to stress. Teacher stress is defined as the occurrence of perceived negative situations that result in adverse teacher reactions or behaviors. Teacher stress can result from situations in three areas: (1) environmental stressors, encompassing living…

This booklet presents articles that deal with identifying signs of stress and methods of reducing work-related stressors. An introductory article gives a summary of the causes, consequences, and cures of teacher stress and burnout. In articles on recognizing signs of stress, "Type A" and "Type B" personalities are examined, with implications for…

Based on sound developmentally appropriate theory, this revised guide is designed to help early childhood teachers deal with common problems that arise in all aspects of their work. Following an introduction and a list of the 20 most important principles for successful preschool teaching, the guide is divided into nine parts. Part 1 addresses…