The purpose and value of teacher observation is diminished if the post-observation conference is not well planned and productive. The observer must take into account the setting, the tone, and the messages conveyed. Includes advice on questioning strategies, data sharing, focusing strategies, and closure strategies. (Author/MD)

A school site health promotion program for faculty and staff may provide important academic and financial benefits. Health insurance costs and hidden costs of illness can be reduced, while teachers become better role models and have improved attitudes. A model program is described. Resources are listed. (MT)

A teacher shares his method of reducing the negative feelings teachers sometimes get and of saving time and energy. At the end of each day, he spends 10 or 15 minutes analyzing and evaluating his lessons of the day. Ten tips are included. (MT)

To recognize outstanding teachers, North Carolina offers them a three-day seminar that contains intellectual discussion, interchange with colleagues, and unstructured time to rediscover and nourish their personal and professional strengths. (MLF)

This article describes a high school teacher's experience introducing critical thinking skills into the existing curriculum. The recommended procedures required no alteration of the existing curriculum and no additional preparation time. Students benefited from greater subject matter involvement and increased conceptual understanding. (JDH)

Reports the results of a survey of 139 secondary social studies teachers and 96 supervising principals to determine their perceptions of the instructional concerns and problems. Results showed both teachers and supervising principals were more concerned with student motivation, classroom management, discipline, and teaching methods than with…

Charts the growth of a special education teacher involved in an inservice program for which she kept a learning log recording her responses to readings and eventually how she assimilated new ideas into classroom practices. (SRT)

The author describes the reformed teacher education program at Memphis State University. The program follows a five-year, postbaccalaureate model. (CH)

Teleconferences are one method for improving the quality of schooling in rural communities. Among suggestions for enhancing teleconferencing are face-to-face meetings, familiarity with teleconference technology, and advance notice to students of materials to be examined in such courses. (PB)

Team evaluation of beginning teachers is an effective way to improve the novice teacher's techniques. Organizing a team through a process of selection, postselection, and maintenance is helpful in achieving a collective goal. (DF)

Ten steps to improve teacher training are emphasis on quality, training of master teachers, research on excellence, higher admission criteria, higher certification criteria, subject matter mastery, time for development, licensing standards, better salaries and conditions, and belief in the worth of the profession. (SK)

Reviews of professional literature identify characteristics of effective staff development programs and inservice activities. Purposes for staff development include: pedagogical growth and understanding and discovery of self as well as cognitive, theoretical, professional, and career development. (DF)

Offers tips that can help teacher supervisors grow and develop even when faced with financial restrictions. (FL)

The excellence of a school lies in the way it directs itself--particularly its professional staff--to improve performance. To meet its obligation to be ever self-improving, the faculty should focus on studying students, creating tailored learning experiences, evaluating long-term school effects, and encouraging diversity. (PGD)

Considers student rating scales as indispensable sources of information in the evaluation of instruction but of questionable validity in making personnel decisions and in making direct comparisons of teachers. Rating scale items should reflect instructional objectives and be tied to prescriptions for self-improvement. (DMM)