Recounts the personal experience of returning to the elementary classroom in a rural Ozark school after 30 years in teacher education. Describes how the teacher and the school are often the only hope of children who are engulfed in economic poverty and lack personal security. (NEC)

A study of 912 Norwegian comprehensive school teachers, using a 74-item job stress rating scale to identify stressors in teachers' work and the General Health Questionnaire as an index of quality of life, identified nine stress factors, including work overload, pupils' misbehavior, change, organizational climate/staff relations. (MH)

Observes the changes in public education that occurred along the Wisconsin frontier. As the territory progressed, education changed from a winter-term only enterprise lead by male farmer/teachers to a full term lead by professionally trained women teachers. Identifies professionalization as the greatest influence on the feminization of teaching.…

This study investigated middle school organizational patterns and their impact on teachers' efficacy and perceptions of the working environment. Analysis of survey responses by 81 eighth grade teachers indicated that teachers on interdisciplinary teams with common planning time were significantly more positive than were teachers on…

In this article, a black feminist teacher educator shares personal reflections on learning and teaching about "difference," a political, dangerous, and "unsafe" terrain. She discusses her experiences within the context of misogyny and racism and contrasts her students' struggles against her black female authority in the…

This case study documents the experiences of a first-year teacher in a small Aboriginal community in Canada, describing the ways in which she developed and modified her beliefs about teaching in order to create a sense of self-efficacy in the cross-cultural classroom. (IAH)

Presents an overview of the current situation within the Korean teaching profession, highlighting major issues and problems (e.g., low professionalism; ineffective preservice and inservice teacher education; rigid, bureaucratic personnel management; legalization of the Teacher Union; and poor working conditions) and introducing the Ministry of…

The author discusses factors considered on how to become a teacher educator. Most colleges and universities consider the academic alliance of teaching, scholarship, and service to be an interdependent trilogy. Some institutions place more weight on one area than another. In many universities, teaching is the area of emphasis although the other two…

This study critically examined the factors influencing public attitudes toward teacher education in Nigeria. It analysed a series of nationwide surveys of negative public attitude toward the teaching profession using parents and prospective university students as respondents. A questionnaire made up of 12 items was used to gather data on public…

The Teacher Assessment Scheme (TAS) is a form of school-based assessment that has recently replaced the external practical examination in AL Biology of Hong Kong. This study aimed at understanding the problems encountered by teachers in implementing this innovation. Over 300 teachers expressed their concern about different aspects of the TAS in a…

Education is the right, but not the reality, of all. Various international trends are identified to set the scene for languages education. Challenges facing the teaching profession--in the contexts of teachers, students, teacher training, conditions and the curriculum--are addressed by effective strategies. Policy is prioritised, as it is in this…

Presents the results of a survey where 200 midwest public-school band directors were asked to respond to a four-part questionnaire on factors contributing to their sense of job satisfaction and job stress. Strong positive interpersonal relationships among directors and students, parents, administrators, and other faculty contributed most to job…

Examines the vocal demands of teaching in a noisy environment for elementary vocal music teachers. Uses the Voice Conservation Index (VCI), a 31-item self-report scale, to collect data on vocal stress. Correlates this data with other factors including years spent in teaching and teaching schedule. (MJP)

Suggests that it is time to increase the professional status of teaching by demonstrating to society that the differences between teaching and more traditional professions are not about gender. There must be positive social construction that allows women access to their rightful place among all levels of organizational hierarchy. (SM)

A study examined factors inherent in Montana's smallest schools that attract and retain teachers. Surveys of 126 elementary teachers in 107 small school districts found that a rural background and proximity to family or home were influential in accepting employment. The classroom experience, particularly their relationship with students, and…