Offers an "inspirational speech" delivered by Harvard professor Cornel West at the 1994 National Council of Teachers of English convention. Discusses ways in which English teachers can help to keep alive the tradition of struggle for decency, dignity, freedom, and democracy. Shares his belief in the significant role English teachers play in…

Presents the presidential address given at the 1998 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) conference. Looks at basic principles supported by NCTE historically. Notes the widespread belief that educational problems can be solved by mandating one particular solution, and asks what NCTE's role is in all of this. (SR)

Address to a convention of secondary school principals analyzes the effect of successful communication between principals and faculty, stresses the need to make English teaching relevant to the community, especially by teaching moral values, and calls for a reduction of class size for English teachers. (JG)

Presents a humorous speech given to high school English teachers on two serious subjects: externally imposed standards and standardized testing, and anti-intellectualism in the classroom and in the culture. Argues that English teachers themselves are responsible for some of the anti-intellectualism they encounter by teaching literature in an…