Several years ago the author attended a week-long orientation for a new job she was taking as an English teacher in an affluent suburb of Chicago. On the first day, the school's director of student activities led all of the new teachers in an "icebreaker," wherein they were taught how to juggle. However, the author could not juggle. When it was…

In this article, the author invites students to reflect on the characteristics of their own teachers. The author contends that this reflection can be a methodological process and model toward a better understanding of what identifies teachers as professionals. To "constructively reflect" on teacher professionalism, it is imperative that…

This training manual explains the process of rating client openness from a short sample of dyadic help-intended interactions. The overview of client openness includes a discussion of the 10-week undergraduate program which teaches students to assess client openness based on behavioral ratings from the Group Assessment of Interpersonal Traits…

Three cases are presented that illustrate some of the moral dilemmas in the admission process. Three practical strategies to be considered in decision making are discussed including public defense rule-of-thumb, universalizability, and role exchange. Moral issues include unequal access, confidentiality, accepting someone likely to fail, etc. (MLW)

Describes the introduction of electronic-mail discussion into a conventional postgraduate, distance-learning training and development program; provides instructor reflections and perspectives on curriculum development and the diverse communication cultures involved; and outlines motivations for continued engagement with electronic mail,…

Just as creating good relationships with campus community requires an understanding of that community and its needs, the same holds true when dealing with the news media. Talking with reporters need not be a negative experience, even when explaining IT problems or failures. A successful relationship between IT news sources and reporters requires…

The digital library community is increasingly concerned with long-term preservation of digital materials. This concern presents an opportunity for strategic alliances between digital library units and preservation departments confronting the difficulties inherent in preservation reformatting of moving image materials. However, successful…

In this article, the author argues that, wherever possible, English teachers should not consider English or English education curriculum as an end in itself but rather a "means" to an end--the building of a critical and compassionate community both within and beyond the classroom. Building such a community involves a re-imagining of the teaching…

This paper explores an expanded vision of teacher education as it relates to the concept of personal and marginalized identity. A study conducted in an all-male correctional facility tells the cultural stories of marginalized people who have had an implicit influence on teachers' experiences and development. Teacher development is defined as a…

Teacher educators have acknowledged the importance of preservice teachers' biographies but remained largely inarticulate about how shared knowledge of personal histories helps shape preservice teachers' thinking and ultimate practice. This document provides a detailed description of how preservice teachers use their personal histories to generate…

Role play (a dramatic technique in which individuals improvise behaviors that illustrate acts expected of persons involved in defined situations) has several advantages for the classroom. Role play: (1) involves little or no additional instructional costs; (2) allows students to practice behaviors and skills; (3) closes the gap between training…

Argues that too often, multiculturalism is viewed as a passive method of disengagement from moral and ethical issues. Defines true multiculturalism as incorporating tolerance and respect into active examination and exploration of cultural and moral issues. Describes several situations that require this approach. (MJP)

Judy Bluehorse Skelton is an herbalist of Native American descent who conducts field trips to identify plants and classroom activities to demonstrate their uses. She also works with Portland (Oregon) schools developing culturally appropriate strategies for presenting Native American content. She encourages students to look at events such as the…

A third grade classroom illustrates the utilization of children's real-life moral dilemmas as an opportunity for moral education, incorporating some themes from Kohlberg's work. (Author/BB)

Discusses the use of feature films in promoting student critical thinking. Proposes using the technique on the elementary, secondary, or college level. Lists possible films and associated questions for discussion. Suggests that role playing could help students develop new perspectives on the films' characters. (SG)