Argues that a unique combination of (1) the Copernican Plan for block scheduling; (2) the application of Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences; and (3) John Dewey's basic ideas about process create a teacher training program in which mastery is an achievable goal. Describes each component and illustrates how each has worked in one…

Includes "Student Teaching" (Whittington); "Decision to Become an Agriculture Teacher" (Cherrie); "Residential Student Teaching Experience in Environmental Education" (Bires, Naugle); "Now that I Am Older and Wiser" (Perey, Elliot, Foster); "Student Teaching" (Connors, Mundt); "Positive Experiences and Problems Encountered during Student Teaching"…

Explores the use of the story-line method, in which teachers evaluate and clarify their own experiences and events in practice, through three studies involving 80 secondary school teachers. Findings show how the story-line method challenges teachers to select relevant experiences and events. (SLD)

Draws on experiences as a straight feminist geographer to address questions regarding teaching sexualities in geography. Looks at "sexing" and "queering" geography curricula at the college level; discusses strategies to make universities and classrooms less heterosexist and lesbo/homophobic; and discusses dilemmas of disclosing…

Describes the author's experiences as a Fulbright scholar and English-as-a-Foreign-Language lecturer at the National University of Cote d'Ivoire in Abidjan before and during teacher and student strikes in May 1991. Notes that the author experienced what education is like for many people in the world--education in Abidjan was serious and deadly.…

Studied the use of the Repertory Grid in analyzing the personal constructs of 12 elementary school teachers in Spain regarding the characteristics of teachers with different levels of experience. Results reveal more similarities than differences about the principles of reform in Spanish education. Differences identified between experienced and…

Provides statistical demographic profiles of teachers in public, Catholic, and private schools. Presents measures of average teachers' professionalism, and numbers of teachers by age who are leaving the profession. Focuses on the percentage of schools that offer benefits, and the teacher attitudes regarding teaching conditions. Lists the…

Described the characteristics of expert and novice teachers' constructivist-oriented teaching practices while using a movement approach to teaching elementary physical education. Data from interviews, videotaped lessons, and the Educational Games Observation Rubric indicated that there were significant differences between the two groups, though…

Education Professor emeritus reflects on 40-year teaching career at Simon Fraser University. Comments on Canada's mandatory retirement for professors at age 65. (PKP)

Presents an interview with Glenna Sloan, winner of the 2001 Arbuthnot Award. Discusses what triggered the writing of her "watershed" book "The Child as Critic"; experiences that helped her become a good listener; her experiences as a teacher; and what she sees as the future of children's literature. (RS)

Reports on the results of a study involving an innovative assessment program initiated to investigate student predictions and revised explanations regarding a variety of optical phenomena. Suggests that the introduction of new forms of assessment in science education, although desirable, will require significant reordering of the goals and…

After a yearlong first-grade teaching assignment, a professor of literacy studies shares insights about doing instruction versus lecturing about it. Explores scientific knowledge versus practical wisdom, tyranny of method versus centrality of personal relationships, visible versus invisible theories, reduction/simplicity versus complexity, and the…

First-year teachers experience five phases: anticipation, survival, disillusionment, rejuvenation, and reflection. A Mundelein Illinois mentoring program supports beginning teachers with informal socializing opportunities and information-sharing meetings with district staff and principals. Over a 4-year period, only one of 23 mentored teachers has…

Describes a study which sought to obtain insights into the experiences of beginning secondary school teachers in Swaziland during 1997. Describes these teachers' experiences, finding that beginning teachers are overwhelmingly isolated in schools, and that they experience difficulties that can destroy their enthusiasm for teaching. Discusses some…

Describes the experiences of the author as she tries to transfigure her students enrolled in freshman writing and college preparatory writing classes at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton, Oregon (located in the "dry side" of the state). Addresses students' racism, homophobia, and distrust of their own skills in writing. (RS)