Professional learning is a social enterprise where peers rely on the expertise and support of one another to adopt innovative practices. Reciprocal interactions in a community of practice, where teachers take responsibility for each other's learning and development, may provide an effective means of supporting situated professional learning. We…

Discusses the need for teachers to take charge of their own professional growth. Suggests that technology teachers develop a vision, find a mentor, and plan for the future. (JOW)

This paper discusses the amelioration of college teaching by the use of peer review within a supportive mentor relationship. In such a relationship, the mentor and the more junior teacher work as peers, and this removes the punitive element from the evaluation process and adds an element of support. The peer/mentor evaluator can be simply a…

Describes a visit with an educational leader, Louise Rosenblatt. Notes that Rosenblatt is a teacher, and from her teaching, both in the classroom and in other forums, she has led educators to think about teaching, and about what is valuable. Notes that for secondary teachers, the National Council of Teachers of English's Secondary Section offers a…

Many states and school districts have developed mentor programs to ease beginning teachers' transitions into the profession. Research shows mentoring programs improve teaching, raise teachers' self-confidence, and increase teacher retention. However, their high cost has made them targets for state and local budget cuts. (SM)

Friendly and Teachable Hands-On Math (FATHOM) is a program designed to develop effective teacher leaders and improve mathematics teaching. FATHOM focuses on concepts in problem solving, logic, prealgebra, geometry, probability, and statistics and equips mentor teachers to share how to teach essential nonarithmetic topics. (JOW)

Discusses the importance of mentoring to faculty development programs, reviewing basic concepts, theories, and research related to mentoring. Indicates that faculty mentoring programs can provide ways for educators to understand diversity, learn about teaching techniques, and feel supported by other faculty members. Describes features of…

This paper seeks to answer three basic questions related to the use of teaching portfolios in faculty evaluation and development: (1) "What is a teaching portfolio?"; (2) "How can the teaching portfolio be used to document and facilitate teaching?"; and (3) "How can teaching portfolios be assessed?" The teaching portfolio is seen as encouraging…

In graduate education, higher cognitive skills, scholarship, and research are being sacrificed to rote memory and encyclopedic knowledge. Ways that professors and administrators can improve graduate teaching include: define objectives, pick the right students and counsel them, restrict who can teach graduate students, provide students with a…

One school district, the Ipswich (MA) Public Schools, has adopted a culture of collaborative leadership that recognizes the strengths of teamwork and commitment. This article looks at some of the history and philosophy, followed by the application of those two elements, and provides a snapshot of a district operating in a unique and innovative…

Offers twelve suggestions for music teachers to assist them in their careers, such as know your school and community, find a mentor, be a good listener, analyze your teaching, and create balance in your life. Lists reasons why music teachers should participate in professional development. (CMK)

Professional development should be part of a teacher's job, and schools should make teacher development an integral part of the teacher's normal activities. Because schools are cooperative, collaborative enterprises, teachers should be involved in the establishment of development programs, should have professional responsibility for cooperating…

Some relevant issues concerning the mentoring of women and minorities in the realm of higher education are addressed, primarily focusing on the differences and problems that exist in assisting these two groups of professionals in achieving their career goals. The importance of mentoring and methods that can be used by a mentor in assisting the…

This book offers a range of proven support strategies designed to help new faculty members thrive. Suggestions range from campuswide programs for nurturing newcomers to projects that help them to help themselves. Outlined is a structured mentoring program to build collegiality through social support networks. Also presented are specific techniques…

Describes the Houston Independent School District's support program involving pairs of beginning and mentor teachers and several professional development specialists who support and train the mentors and help the novice teachers on a personal basis. The specialists are an important factor in retention and development of first year teachers,…