Kappan's editor talks with Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa, a leader in the international movement to translate findings from neuroscience into usable knowledge for educators. Topics include neuromyths (common, but erroneous, beliefs about how the brain works), the current scientific consensus about how people learn, and the contributions that the…

Since humans change from the inside, it is more valuable for administrators to try to change themselves than to prescribe staff development for others. Principals can cooperate in self-development programs by participating in principals' centers being established around the country. (PGD)

Discusses the meaning of the term "faculty development" and analyzes its effectiveness in the political science departments of U.S. universities. Presents recommendations for successful faculty development, including a warning to be cautious of centralized efforts and a suggestion that small successes should be accepted because substantial…

Offers preventive measures for the elimination of continuous and costly faculty development remediation programs. Suggests that success-oriented faculty members should actively adopt effective preventive measures against failure by seeking continuous appraisal, formulating goals, arranging a planned positive socialization process, and documenting…

All the articles in this collection share at least three common features. First, they all give a narrative account of a change that took place within an activity system; in this, they follow Vygotsky's (1978) injunction to investigate the history of the system in order to understand its "causal dynamic basis" (p. 62). Second, in so doing, they…

The views of a professor of social work about her sabbatical leave overseas as a point of transition in her academic career, and as an occasion for challenge and reflection in her life and work, are presented. She left to escape the pressures of duties, obligations, strictures, and expectations that surround a relatively successful academic…

Higher education must place a premium on academic self-renewal during the remainder of this century when the opportunity to provide for new ideas and new skills through hiring new faculty will be constrained. It is important that professors recognize the mutuality of institutional interests and self-interests in meeting these challenges. (CH)

This paper explains that to bring about any form of educational equity for learners and teachers requires the realization that what is important is to educate the human disposition to understand the self. It identifies a unique relationship between the practical developmental phases of an educator toward a fully conscious professional and the…

As part of a long-term inquiry into the nature of staff development, 300 interviews focused on teachers' use of formal development opportunities, informal interactions with other professionals, and personally directed growth activities. The relationships between teachers' growth levels and the social systems of schools are discussed. (Author/MLF)

This paper on the supervision and evaluation of teachers as professional personnel begins by delineating the characteristics and expectations of professionals, and then explains how they are socialized into their roles, the reasons why they should be supervised, the blocks and hindrances to supervision and evaluation, and how the blocks may be…

Cites one university's experiences to show (1) how a university can maintain staff and stabilize budget while encouraging the continued production and transmission of knowledge; (2) how a department can foster excellent teaching, significant research, and successful public and university service; and (3) how an individual faculty member can…

Aspects of the small liberal arts college's environment that contribute to the intellectual and personal development of faculty as well as students include accessibility, visibility, flexibility, the institution's desire for interdisciplinary inquiry, and a reward system for scholarship. (MSE)

Describes problems undergraduate psychology faculty members encounter as they are forced to adapt to the increasingly diverse needs of their students. Faculty members must learn to be flexible and open to the idea of personal growth and professional development. (AM)

Reviews major areas of interest in the future of undergraduate psychology education. Educators will be concerned with the increasingly diverse student needs, the value of a liberal arts education, and the need for personal and professional growth. The debate over educational objectives and program course content will continue. (AM)

Looks at the implications of the new millennium in the development of Catholic identity of teachers. Puts forth a Catholic identity paradigm for the educator, and addresses issues of commitment to community-building, lifelong spiritual and religious growth, ongoing professional development, formation of students' spiritualities, and students'…