Niceness is a socialized disposition, particularly amongst white women, that prioritizes comfort and neutrality while preventing resistance against oppressive systems. Given the demographics of teachers and teacher educators, niceness and whiteness are deeply embedded in programs and institutions. As eight white, female teacher educators, we drew…

The purpose of this study was to determine what is known about induction, competency, and role development of nursing faculty at the associate degree level. Specifically, the study assessed how nurses with clinical backgrounds -- many of whom have been working for years as practitioners -- are transitioned from nurse clinicians and inducted into…

Within the current federal, state, and local contexts of educational reform, teachers must be recognized as central actors in policy work, but rarely do we explicitly consider preparing teachers to become policy actors. Understanding these implications for teacher education, we investigate teacher candidates' learning of the complexity and…

The integration of technology in classrooms is rapidly emerging as a way to provide more educational opportunities for students. As virtual learning environments become more popular, evaluating the impact of this technology on student success is vital. "Exploring the Effectiveness of Online Education in K-12 Environments" combines…

According to a recent survey, school superintendents in Illinois generally favor the kinds of educational reforms being urged by national commissions on educational excellence. Over 100 superintendents from randomly selected elementary, secondary, and combined school districts in Illinois responded to the 104-item questionnaire. The survey sought…

A survey identified professional roles and activities which were considered areas of difficulty for first year home economics teachers. Seven roles were considered, involving the teacher as: (1) planner; (2) director and helper of learning; (3) counselor and guide to the students; (4) mediator and interpretor of the culture; (5) a link with the…

A study was conducted to determine the perceived difficulties first year physical education teachers encounter and how their perceptions compare to those of teachers in other curricular areas. A questionnaire, sent to 110 first year physical education teachers in Illinois, achieved a return rate of 30 percent. The questionnaire sought information…