Reviews criticisms of existing inservice education programs, lists characteristics of successful programs, and considers important issues in the move to school-based inservice education. Recommends that schools begin staff development by developing in teachers the skills needed to initiate their own inservice programs. (JOW)

There have been continuing shortages of teachers in certain geographical areas and subject fields. While the shortage of mathematics and physical science teachers has been widely publicized, recent projections indicate an imminent shortage of elementary school teachers to be followed by a shortage of secondary school teachers in the next decade.…

Presents an interview with Jean Nunez Donegan focusing on: her career as an artist; her experiences with teaching art at the secondary and college levels; her process for creating art; and her development as an artist. Includes directions for creating a branch with leaves and bamboo using clay. (CMK)

Presents an interview with Debra W. Fritts, a ceramic artist who created handbuilt terra-cotta sculptures. Focuses on topics, such as her childhood, her beginning interests in art, her teaching, her growth as an artist, and the techniques she uses when creating her sculptures. Includes directions for a rattle project. (CMK)

Interview with Thomas Guskey examines the benefits of staff development, presenting reasons for interest in the topic, advice for educators who want to trace the impact of staff development programs on participants and students, and the need for staff developers to identify some targets and monitor movement toward the targets. (SM)

Identifies the personal characteristics needed by middle grade teachers to successfully teach young adolescents (e.g., sensitivity, enthusiasm for teaching, and ability to involve students in learning). Recommends that middle grade teacher preparation focus on a continually reviewed and refined knowledge base, school-based practica, and…

A junior high school social studies teacher describes changes that occurred when he took a sabbatical to study for a master's degree in school guidance, noting the experience was less taxing and more enjoyable than expected. The article highly recommends teachers take sabbatical leave because it has a rejuvenating effect. (SM)

Discusses how critical others can enhance teachers' roles. Critical events all have a critical agent plus critical others who provide significant input but have no formal role within the institution. They enhance teachers' roles by providing a charismatic quality and contributing toward the authenticity of teachers' work in many ways. (SM)

Suggests that educators must broaden their field of vision and learn to see professional development as a means of cultivating and harvesting the rich knowledge already present in schools. Discusses David Perkins'"Pocket Model of Intelligence"; dialog; writing for publication; group writing; and technology. (RS)

Discusses encouraging lifetime professional literacy for teachers via teacher-led workshops, collaboration between administrators and teachers, and school time allocated for reading and collaborating. (SR)

Describes reasons the author is happy to be married to a fellow English teacher. Suggests that such spouses can support each other's devotion to the profession and understand each other's time commitment and share this important part of their lives. (SR)

This article argues for a social and cultural perspective on mathematics education that sees mathematical knowledge as a "new" civil right and cites The Algebra Project as an example of culturally-responsive instruction. Recommendations are made for reforming teacher education, by including a course for all prospective middle and high school…

Fostering the growth of science educational programs is one of the most challenging and rewarding task instructional leaders will have to do in the twenty-first century. This article analyzes the current science teacher shortages and turnovers in public, urban secondary schools and brings to the forefront the need for an assessment of…

According to a growing body of research, discussion-based instruction, in the context of high academic demands, significantly enhances student achievement in reading. The effects apply to below- as well as above-average-ability students. These findings confirm what secondary English teachers have believed all along about the value of discussion.…

Reports how participation in a summer program of the National Writing Project helped to revitalize a junior high school English teacher and the 1,000 teachers she herself taught. (RL)