The authors argue that to help beginning teachers improve their practice, they (as teacher educators) must acknowledge their ongoing development toward becoming professional educators in the school communities they inhabit and with the students they serve. This piece cites numerous examples of teachers reflecting over a two-year period on their…

When asked by a principal to design a workshop for ELA and ESL teachers on addressing new ESL regulations, the author suggested that they offer professional development that might inspire teachers to try new practices that could help their students grow as writers. The author decided to devote a workshop not to rules and regulations, but to…

New teachers often maintain informal contacts with classmates and instructors from their teacher training programs. It is common for teachers in training to rely on peers and instructors for support and guidance when they are in school. An abrupt break from those contacts can be a significant loss for new teachers who are attempting to find their…

In this article, the author shares her experience and the lessons learned in teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for a decade. After thousands of lessons, uncountable revisions to those lessons, numerous hours of professional development, access to dozens of talented colleagues, and an abundance of thoughts and insights from…

Shares insights of an English teacher gained through a variety of teaching experiences. Describes how the Bay Area Writing Project provided effective strategies to improve the teaching of writing. (NH)

Erick Gordon, founding director of the Student Press Initiative, illustrates collaborations with teachers and students that have motivated students to invest themselves in the process and product of writing, including research, oral history, revision, and an immersion in and commitment to community.

Reviews "How Porcupines Make Love II," the sequel on teaching a response-centered literature curriculum. Finds it to be a lively, engaging, provocative text, one that includes workable hints for classroom practice. (MG)

Reviews new publications in women's studies and suggests applications for use in the English class. (EL)

Notes that many preservice teacher education students in a composition methods course confess they did not prewrite seriously in middle and high school, and that many did not prewrite at all. Introduces a technical writer who spends 80% of his writing time in prewriting activities alone. Discusses strategies to help students realize the value and…

The title topic is discussed by noted educators Ann E. Berthoff, Donald M. Murray, Anne Ruggles Gere, and Dan Kirby. (CRH)

Two teachers, one English, one American, from the International School of Brussels, Belgium, describe the benefits and drawbacks of teaching overseas, discussing the flexibility, the cultural advantages, and the professional drawbacks. (EL)

Contains nine excerpts from articles submitted to "English Journal" by veteran teachers. Offers practical tips and stories. Gives advice and encouragement to veteran teachers. (TB)

Describes how a teacher achieved professional renewal through teaching adult education class in a federal prison. Notes that it may be easier to create hospitable space and a sense of community in an inmate classroom than in any other kind. (RS)