A teacher describes what happened when she discovered that a blind student had been mainstreamed into one of her fifth-grade art classes. (RM)

A teacher discusses her transition to a new school and an innovative program based on Foxfire practices. Journal entries reflect the frustrations, self-doubts, and personal growth that resulted from her teaching experience. She attributes her personal growth to reflective journal writing, a core practice of Foxfire. (LP)

Teachers in the southern Maine teachers' network comment on dilemmas they have faced when implementing the Foxfire approach, including realizing their own strengths and weaknesses, achieving a balance between content and process, appropriate teacher intervention, developing student decision-making skills, applicable assessment and evaluation,…

Practice-based or experiential learning has come to be dominated by mentalist models of reflection on experience. The argument here is that these models split mind from body and subject from environment in ways that yield problematic practices. An alternate conception of practice-based learning is offered here, based on the notion of…

A high school teacher describes student experiences of meeting resistance when attempting to learn more about community issues or problems. These negative encounters, although causing some anxiety and distress, taught beneficial lessons that enabled students to grow and learn. (LP)

Utilizes the experiences of seven elementary teachers to examine issues and attitudes concerning whole language learning. Although the seven teachers often feel alienated within their own profession, they remain adamant in their commitment. Discusses their conversion to whole language learning and the influence of the New Zealand school. (MJP)

This book presents a framework for discussing the action of teachers in public elementary schools as the 21st century approaches. An educator with almost 30 years of teaching experience speaks from the perspective of teacher and parent. He tells tales about his family and his life as a teacher; he shares his social and moral philosophy and what he…

Examines cover letters, curricula vitae, and teaching statements of 82 doctoral candidates and 74 Ph.D. applicants for an assistant professor position. Discovers that all of the applicants presented very little teaching information. Discusses reasons for this and offers recommendations for correcting the problem. (MJP)

This book provides non-Native teachers with information about Native American cultures and offers a pedagogical model that blends Native and non-Native worldviews and methodologies. The book aims to describe the process of becoming bicultural as it relates to success in teaching Native students; provide a short history of American Indian nations,…

This book, written as an extended letter to teachers, addresses the concerns teachers have for their work with students and reflects on the art of teaching. The letter is developed around 12 chapters: (1) "Toward Large Purposes" places teachers' work in a philosophical as well as a pedagogical and curricular perspective; (2)…

Connects the personal classroom experiences of a sociology professor with the changes in teaching methods over the last 30 years. Unequivocally, supports the more interactive teaching methods such as collaborative learning, role playing, simulations, and debates. Valuable appendix includes detailed descriptions of six group activities. (MJP)

This paper reports the findings of a year-long study of 11 preservice teachers' perceptions of the first year of a teacher preparation program. These students were interviewed individually at least four times, and reported that learning concrete teaching methods was one of the most valuable aspects of their preparation because these methods could…