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,…

The experiences of a first-year teacher of students with mild mental retardation are described from the perspective of that teacher. The enormous burdens that can be placed on new teachers in difficult situations are highlighted and implications are discussed for teacher educators, interpersonal relationships, and the role of special education.…

Within the teacher empowerment movement, a theoretical framework for analyzing the condition of teaching as work is not widely considered. Given the special character of the varying expectations held by interest groups focusing on teacher productivity, a concise theory would provide teacher education students a foundation for participating fully…

This narrative is a construction of self as beginner, analysis of other as beginner, and a reformulation that attempts to combine and make mobile and immutable knowledge about beginning and beginners. Data were collected from: (1) 48 students in a beginning teacher education course who kept journals of their experiences; (2) student teachers'…

A design for a completely revised professional section of the National Teacher Examinations Common Examinations is proposed. These exams must be designed to assess the central competency that a teacher must acquire and maintain: skill in professional problem-solving. Professional problems are not all soluble, and the solutions to many of those…

This paper discusses the implications of research on effective schools and classrooms for teacher training programs. References to research focus on studies of schools and classrooms in which nearly all students demonstrated at least minimum mastery on standardized achievement tests of mathematics and reading. At issue are the questions of whether…

This monograph contains a research report entitled, "Developing a Career in the Academy: New Professors in Education," by Gerald M. Mager and Betty Myers and two reactions to that report, "An Old Professor on New Professors: A Response to Mager and Myers," written by Gerald M. Reagan and "Commentary" by Roger G. Baldwin. An interest in what…

This report is based upon the views and opinions of 2,670 students and 137 teachers in high schools and middle schools in four school districts in California. Quotes from students and teachers are used as illustrations, and as reminders of the human dimension to the schools' problems and successes. The report is divided into sections representing…

A growing body of research indicates that teachers have different job skills, knowledge, behavior, attitudes, and concerns at different points in their careers. Many of these changes seem to follow a regular developmental pattern from which three stages can be discerned. Stage I is the survival stage, during which beginning teachers are concerned…

Although state governments have a less direct effect on new teachers than do the actions of school administrators and fellow teachers, state standards and the level of financial commitment determine, to a certain extent, the quality of life for teachers. State departments of education can assist first year teachers by: (1) working with teacher…

This book offers inspiration and encouragement to any person who may have lost sight of the rewards of teaching from a teacher who was the 1997 Teacher of the Year. It features essays, conversations, and poems that can provide a boost when teachers need one. The chapters are: "First Days--My First Days of School, as a Student Teacher, as a…

The staff in a teaching excellence program at the University of Colorado at Boulder analyzed research on new faculty needs and designed a program to support newly-hired, tenure-track faculty in improving their teaching. The approach used in the program, responses of participating faculty, and areas for future analysis are described. (Author/MSE)

Explores the conceptual basis of teaching in China through the metaphor of teacher as virtuoso performer, with teaching considered an art. Field research results on teacher preparation and elementary and secondary teaching practice are shared. Shortcomings of this teaching model and implications for educational reform are considered. (IAH)

Asserts that many beginning teachers or faculty members have similar misconceptions about teaching and students. Presents and discusses six recommendations for beginning instructors of history. Concludes by describing three changes in higher education that have occurred during the past decade. (CFR)

Describes Texas'"Enhancing the Quality and Retention of Minority Teachers and Teachers in Critical Shortage Areas Project" which uses peer coaching in teacher training, incorporating accountability, assistance, and professional development systems. Peer coaching helps support first year teachers by promoting their professional and…