In this article, the author laments that too much of what goes on in schools are shaped by politicians who are more interested in winning elections than in winning good futures for children, who know that being tough but simplistic about "getting results" wins votes, whether or not it fosters learning. As such, the author calls on school leaders…

Focuses on the professional renewal of teachers and invites them to view their professional behavior as poetry that is re-creating new perspectives during their daily interactions with students, colleagues, and friends. (MG)

There are three phases in the process of introducing and establishing staff development. They may be characterized as: What is it? How do we get started? and How well are we doing? Sooner or later, an interest in some form of evaluation is inevitable. (Author/SSH)

Discusses problems associated with professional development offered to, and forced upon, teachers. (MG)

Discusses mentoring among entry-level librarians and examines whether mentor-protege relationships are truly beneficial. Topics addressed include career advancement for women, the role of library management, staff training and development practices, and advocacy for the library profession. (LRW)

Argues for the implementation of mentoring programs for beginning teachers. Outlines theoretical and practical aspects of the concept of mentoring, mentor qualities and expectations, mentoring activities, and outcomes of mentoring. (HB)

Building on the model of professional nursing careers presented in Part 1, the author discusses the aspects of professional maturation and professional mastery, focusing on the vital role of staff development for career advancement. (SK)

Educators involved in staff development share insights about changes in the field over 25 years, discussing staff development as a professional function, reflections from a founder of the National Staff Development Council, professional advances, staff development as a major force for educational change, and blending individual development with…

Staff development should be a process in which members of an organization examine and improve their professional performance constantly. Specialists in staff development, with interest in the newer educational technologies, should resist the temptation to push technologies on colleagues and should foster critically reflective teamwork rooted in…

Discusses the value of continuing education for staff members of special libraries as reported by information professionals in a study of excellence in corporate libraries. Background on the Special Libraries Association's Professional Development Program is also provided, and the importance of keeping current with the literature is emphasized.…

Discusses three major motivations for in-house library research--planning, problem solving, and staff development--in terms of the functions and responsibilities of library management. Ten stages in a research project are identified and management contribution to each is described. It is concluded that the role of management is critical.…

Skills required for developing staff evaluation models are closely linked to skills required for staff development. Leading a vital, growing, innovative, dynamic school system requires risk-taking, stretching, painful, exhilarating change. This change is accomplished through staff development. Real staff development is not confined to one or two…

Study groups are both a complement and an alternative to traditional staff development. Becoming a community of adult learners is a complex process involving a number of ingredients: purpose, logistics, resources, transfer of learning, electronic networking, sustenance, and assessment. These ingredients are not meant to take the place of…

Recent cutbacks have diminished the ability of public agencies to offer needed training to employees. An internal program--peer training--is defined and advocated as an alternative of choice for many training situations. The advantages and disadvantages are presented. Emphasizes the need for a program that complements existing relationships.…

Betty Dillon-Peterson, the director of staff development for the Lincoln (Nebraska) schools, relates key experiences which shaped her career and also her views about how staff developers can work effectively. She advocates design of a special course of study for staff developers. (PP)