Christine Sleeter wrote this essay in response to the topic "Even Laureates Were Beginners Once: Lessons Learned Along the Way," which was the title of the Laureate Panel at the Kappa Delta Pi Convocation in October 2017.

Some people view bullying as a normal aspect of childhood; teachers who prevent bullying know that this is not true. Bullying is a deliberate act that hurts young victims, both emotionally and physically. Aside from the victims, bullying affects people around them by distracting, intimidating, and upsetting them. Basically, bullying in the…

Relates the author's experiences in his first few years as a primary teacher in Ontario, Canada, struggling for survival in the face of bureaucracy and questioning his choice of profession. Claims that most teachers go through a similar reexamination process as they face the realities of their work and develop professionally. (JD)

A superintendent's personal account of a teacher strike reveals the lessons learned from the conflict and offers suggestions for avoiding similar situations. (WD)

Presents comments on a case of disagreement between a principal and a teacher concerning the value of pacing. (SS)

Teachers of life skills courses must beware of ethnocentrism, understand their own culture, learn about other cultures, and ensure that a multicultural perspective informs the curriculum. Cultural differences may arise in such topics as child development, family relationship, food and nutrition, family responsibilities, and community resources.…

Transactional evaluation is a valuable communication tool for drawing out and resolving beneath-the-surface elements that hinder educational goals. (Author)

The article explores two types of grievance systems widely utilized in the American public school system: code grievance systems and alternative structures. (RLV)

Techniques for college teachers averting or resolving conflicts with students include examining one's own contribution to the conflict, conferring in a neutral setting, finding common ground, using cooperative learning exercises, avoiding defensiveness, talking with colleagues, integrating problem solving into lessons, and using direct…

Discusses the gap that exists between teachers' and administrators' perceptions of reading instruction; advocates cooperative goals with respect to the reading process and the measurement of student achievement. (MAI)

Presents four essays that discuss (1) the continued apathy of many English teachers toward censorship of textbooks, (2) the tenuous commitment of the general public to the First Amendment rights of speech and assembly, (3) feminists as censors, and (4) the tendency of conflicts between censors and anticensors to be dominated by the extremes. (RBW)

Invitational education aims at creating a total school environment that intentionally summons teachers and students to realize their potential in all areas of worthwhile human endeavor and to make classrooms "the most inviting place in town." Within this model, invitational teaching addresses the role of the teacher in summoning…

Identifies potential conflicts in cultures of instruction between language teachers and learners because of different expectations in how languages ought to be taught. The article discusses data from a study of Chinese language instruction at the University of Oregon, noting what teachers and students considered most and least important features.…

Discusses how postmodernism applies to Montessori practices and to a specific conflict resolution dilemma. Describes educational practices that have been changed or rethought at one school as a result of research or examination of their relevance to the postmodern world. Asserts that if children are to become critical thinkers, tolerant of…

Provides a personal view of a midsized urban school district's efforts to implement conflict-resolution programs throughout the district. The authors present the different approaches used and reflect on the successes or failures of each approach. Recommendations for overcoming common obstacles in program development are offered. (GLR)