Teach for America, the recent private reincarnation of the 1960s Teacher Corps, sends college graduates to teach for two years in understaffed schools. One TFA participant warns those planning President Clinton's national service program that eight weeks of training is insufficient to train competent teachers. Unless teachers are smartly selected,…

Examines liberatory pedagogy in the context of helping beginning teachers become open to liberatory ideas as they construct themselves as teachers and begin to develop their practice. The paper considers practice and prospective teachers as learners of practice, then examines what this suggests for the construction of opportunities for prospective…

Notes a decline in numbers of doctoral students interested in academic careers and identifies six negatives of an academic career. Reports on a survey of 2,000 doctoral candidates and junior faculty that found that quality of life factors more important to respondents than tenure and salary, especially important were the institution's geographic…

Describes assumptions about standards which shaped a novice teacher educator's work with student teachers and educative experiences which helped her envision an alternative role for standards in learning to teach. Standards presented to prospective teachers as vision statements allow for novices' ideas about good teaching. Teacher educators should…

Describes teachers who made a difference in the author's literacy development and who fostered his love of learning and teaching. Discusses the importance of teachers growing as professionals. Describes various opportunities through the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) for teachers to share the good work that they do. Notes NCTE's…

Teacher mentoring programs have existed for only about a generation, but they are making a difference in the lives of young, not so young, and beginning or transitioning teachers. The prevailing financial crunch, increasing student enrollments, and escalating rates of teacher retirements are among current challenges facing all school systems.…

In this article, the author shares his experiences as a first-year teacher. He discusses many challenges that he faced, including dealing with an aggressive student, the fear of losing control of the classroom, criticisms from parents, and balancing school life with his private life. The author offers advice to first-year teachers including the…

In this brief article, the author advises teachers to not only exhibit self-discipline and motivation, but also to develop the courage to embark on a personal journey. He asserts that in order to grow professionally, it is necessary to become a reflective practitioner as well as an active teacher.

As a teacher educator, the author believes that he must prepare teachers to go forth into schools with a deep understanding of the subjects they will teach, an appreciation for how students learn, and a repertoire of instructional strategies that will help them make learning come alive for their students. As they develop these skills, they must…

Characteristics of the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) of 10 years hence are projected. The NTE-recommended guidelines for the examination are that: the test be used for selection and certification of teachers; it will be suitable for group testing; a single map will be used for the professional component to measure teacher effectiveness; map…

Reviews findings from "The First Year of College Teaching" (Fink, 1984) and draws implications for the graduate training of future sociologists. (JDH)

Explores and examines the theoretical roots of supervisory practice with regard to field experiences in teacher education. Contends that most approaches to supervision are rooted in paradigms reflecting the perspectives of positivism, phenomenology, and critical theory. (MLF)

The essays presented in this "Occasional Paper" reflect the voices of those in the midst of becoming the teachers they hope to be. In these essays, teachers find courage, resourcefulness, insight, and inspiration. They are reminded not to give up on themselves. Three vital aspects explored in these essays include: (1) teaching is about being…

Traces an eighth-grade teacher's first year of teaching. Notes times of enthusiasm and fatigue: the "October Slump" and the "May Circus." Suggests that though teachers may be warned about certain slump times, only experience will help them through it. (PM)

Considers three aspects of support offered by principals and reading supervisors to beginning teachers: instructional models, instructional materials, and mentoring. Argues that providing support for beginning teachers (particularly those using literature-based instruction) should not be left to chance but requires conscious effort and planning.…