Surveyed education majors (N=42) to determine what influenced their career choice. Found courses on practicum experiences in college were not significant factors for most students. Most cited their own elementary and secondary experiences as students, as well as other experiences outside the teacher education program. (Author/JAC)

In response to the need for greater relevance in teacher education through field experience programs, education faculty members developed a program which combines theory and practice in preservice field experiences and campus activities for education majors. This program, at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, consists of six…

Teacher personal control was investigated by comparing the responses of teacher trainees with those of practicing teachers. The responses of teachers with more than five years experience indicated a significantly higher sense of personal control than either teacher trainees or teachers with less than five years experience. (Author/JN)

The author presents teacher preparation guidelines for successful implementation of simulated office occupations experience programs. After listing 20 needed skills, she suggests observation of simulations and the business world, work experience, methods courses, and workshops. (MF)

Provides guidance in facilitating teaching transitions between preschoolers and infants and toddlers. Discusses developmentally appropriate changes in the areas of relating to children, relating to parents, relating to co-workers, group dynamics, curriculum, routines and transitions, director support and supervision, and most important…

Presents findings from nationwide surveys of early elementary educators (N=505) that examined training status on tobacco prevention, level of teaching about tobacco prevention, and perceived self-efficacy for teaching tobacco prevention. Most respondents had no formal tobacco prevention training but had high efficacy and outcome expectation…

Examined variables associated with differences in students' perceptions of interpersonal teacher behavior in seven secondary schools. Focuses on seven variables in a multilevel analysis: student and teacher gender; student and teacher ethnic background; student age and grade; class size; grade level; subject taught; and teacher experience.…

The major characteristics of expert physical education teachers include thorough planning, focus on individual student performance, heightened perceptual abilities, automaticity of behavior, creative feedback responses, command of subject matter, and use of reflective practices. Suggestions for developing teaching expertise in all of the areas are…

Examined the usefulness of formal teacher preparation for those with prior teaching experience, investigating the experiences of Stanford Teacher Education Program graduates. Five themes emerged as central to their learning (e.g., greater awareness of students in their classes who were struggling academically and how to help them, broader and more…

Examined pathways to effective teaching among African-American and Latino early childhood teachers serving low-income children. Found that after controlling for formal education, responsive involvement in the field could be predicted by a teacher's staying in the field for the community, being mentored, and being supervised. Engaging in language…

An award-winning educator discusses experiences that taught her to be sensitive to student experiences and encourage them to think. She explains why she doesn't like grades, how the ethics of care is thoroughly relational, and that it is important for kids to be attached to their geographic place yet develop skills that enable them to communicate…

The author relates his experiences in the undergraduate teacher education program at one of only two public higher education institutions open to Blacks at the time. The curriculum is described, and his experiences during student teaching and his first teaching jobs are detailed. (IAH)

Reports on what factors teachers say have influenced their beliefs and instructional practices concerning reading. Finds that both subskills-oriented and whole language teachers identified their classroom experiences as teachers as the single greatest influence on their beliefs about reading and reading instruction. (RS)

The experiences of two Colorado high school English teachers (one public and one private) are compared. Although the schools are similar socioeconomically, many differences impact the job, teacher responsibilities, and quality of life. In general, the private school allows more teacher creativity and individual time with students. (SM)

Interview data from a study investigating perceptions and attitudes of teachers toward their work provides the basis for this article which examines the metaphorical language teachers use to describe their experience and sketches an outline of the meaning of work as perceived by teachers, school systems and society. (IAH)