In fall 1966, Eliot Wigginton took his first teaching job in Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, a semiprivate rural Georgia high school with both local and boarding students. This book is his account of his early struggle to control and interest his students, the genesis and development of the student-produced Foxfire publications, and his views on the principles underlying successful teaching. The core of the Foxfire publications was student interviews of family and community members about local history and culture. Part I tells the Foxfire story: how and why the first issue of "Foxfire" magazine was put together, what happened in the years between its publication and the appearance of the first "Foxfire Book" in 1972, the immediate aftermath of that event, and the structure and purposes of the Foxfire organization that had evolved by 1984. Part II discusses the role of the teacher; examines some questions about power in the school; outlines overarching truths about teacher knowledge, the teacher-student relationship, discipline, and professional growth; and suggests educational goals that teachers should hold for their students. Part III details the activities entailed in a 12-week project-based grammar and composition course. Contains a bibliography, an index, and photographs. (SV)