The author believes that happiness equals success. Which is why, at age 50, the author fears retirement. The author believes that he may have found the fountain of youth for his spirit: the joy of teaching children, living in his community, and getting to witness learning. The author loves what he does. By asking he got to this point, he hopes the…

Upon the realization that teachers inhabit a "cage" of their own, but one very different from that which ensnares school or system administrators, the author wrote the book, "The Cage-Busting Teacher," from which this article is drawn. The author spent a year interviewing a couple hundred teachers, teacher advocates, union…

A man died last summer. At 78, he was neither old enough nor young enough for his passing to make news. His obituary was two paragraphs long. The "San Jose Mercury News" simply stated that Edward A. White was survived by "his brother Mike, his sister Mary and his many loving nieces and nephews." "As a passionate High School English Teacher" the…

With policymakers across the country proposing questionable ways to evaluate teachers, it's time to listen to those who know what supports and systems are needed to enhance instruction: teachers. This article explores the work of professional educators--not just their accomplishments, but also their challenges--so that the lessons they have…

The language of today's twelfth-grade English texts is simpler than that of seventh-grade texts published prior to 1963. No wonder students' reading comprehension has declined sharply. The author claims that literacy level of secondary students is languishing because the kids are not reading what they need to be reading. In this article, the…

For at least a half century, education reformers have quipped that 120th Street in New York City, the street that separates Teachers College from the rest of Columbia University, "is the widest street in the world." Underlying this quip is the belief that Columbia's liberal arts faculty members regularly dismiss the child-centered educational…

It's fairly well known that high-quality preschool programs can have life-altering impacts on disadvantaged children, including reductions in school dropout and crime, and increased earnings. Not as well known is that terrific preschool programs have important academic and social benefits for middle-class children too. Decades of research indicate…

In this article, the author talks about "Developing Early Literacy," the report of the National Early Literacy Panel. The panel, which consisted of nine experts, was convened by the National Institute for Literacy to synthesize the research on the development of literacy from birth through age 5. Over the eight years of their work, only 190…

Music can help create a good moral environment if it is music that can be shared, that channels emotions and shapes the soul, that has stood the test of time, and that tells a story. Today's rock music all too often plays a destructive role in leading youth away from virtue. (SLD)

Suggests that the rise of democracy was the most important development of the 20th century, examining the question of democracy as a universal value by focusing on: India's experience with democracy; democracy and economic development; the functions of democracy; universality of values; and cultural differences in values. Concludes with a…

This memoir describes the author's childhood reading, its variety, and its importance in childhood and later life. The narrative clearly shows the role of reading in building the adult mind and the importance of libraries in a child's life. (SLD)

Argues that children too often view popular fantasy figures and movie and television personalities as heroes and that the time has come to introduce children to real-life people as heroes. Methods for introducing children to new heroic figures are highlighted. (GR)

This collection of the writings and speeches of Albert Shanker, long-time president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), focuses on his efforts in elevating the profession of teaching. As he contended and demonstrated, building teaching as a profession relied on the development of a strong union of teachers, the AFT. (SLD)

Argues the need for schools to provide learning environments, educational practices, and encouragement to enhance academic achievement in each student within the system. New teacher roles are examined, and some examples are provided of successful efforts in schools that effectively concentrate on the individual student's academic success. (GLR)

Discusses interdisciplinary studies and integrated learning within the classroom and uses an example of one such program to address questions concerning integrated issues. It is argued that the holistic approach requires students to be deeply immersed in disciplinary study, thus giving them access to powerful ways of viewing the world and its…