The roles and relationships of clinical faculty (experienced teachers who work with students in teacher education) in university teacher-education programs are examined to see how they might contribute to improvement of teacher education and what obstacles may exist. Implications for education reform are discussed. (SLD)

Describes an instructor's experience teaching English composition at Turtle Mountain Community College during the summer of 1990. Explores the difficulties of bicultural education at Indian reservations and recognizes the real meaning of cultural exchanges between American culture and Indian culture. (IH)

Describes and suggests the use of a problem-solving model that improves communication between student teachers and supervisors through the student teaching practicum. The aim of the model is to promote experimentation with various teaching techniques and to stimulate thinking among student teachers about their teaching experiences. (PR)

Contrasts the author's experiences teaching mathematics in Russia and as an immigrant to the United States. The author is particularly critical of the emphasis on grades and formal records in American higher education. American education is often guilty of confusing good grades or a degree with competence. (SLD)

Describes the teaching experiences and philosophy of 1995 National Teacher of the Year Elaine Griffin. With her husband Ned, Griffin began her teaching career in the roadless village of Akhiok (Alaska) and now teaches in a three-room school in Chiniak, Kodiak Island. Classroom activities such as Socratic discussion are described that nurture…

Describes an English instructor's experiences teaching at a private, English-language university in Bangkok, Thailand. Illustrates the difficulties the author faced in dealing with differences in cultures and learning styles and indicates the generative potential of such difficulties. Notes that the instructor's solution was to use a combination…

Practicum experiences and feelings of preparedness to teach were compared for 88 Ontario student teachers in either the fourth year of a "concurrent" undergraduate preservice program or a 1-year "consecutive" graduate preservice program. The two groups did not differ in teaching self-efficacy or the number of classroom…

A seventh-grade teacher describes how her students gradually became engaged in a year-long project on Thoreau. Although initially resistant and unenthusiastic, the students became interested after two field trips involving living-history experiences, and went on to write a play involving Thoreau, his contemporary and 20th-century…

Author, consultant, and teacher educator Grant Wiggins recalls his own and his students' memorable learning experiences and discusses the impact of those experiences on his evolution as a teacher, the importance of the teacher/student relationship to student learning, and the likelihood that the student understands less of what the teacher says…

Examined the impact on Dutch mentors and institute teachers of the new requirement that student teachers nearing completion of coursework must teach without immediate supervision for several months. Surveys investigated how this change affected the content and process of mentoring. Mentors and institute teachers acted as supportive counselors and…

Faced with an applicant pool deficient in credentials and classroom skills, savvy administrators can spot applicants' potential, discerning those individuals likely to blossom into effective teachers. Important qualities include a strong work ethic, people and communication skills, and enthusiasm for teaching. Deciphering hidden meanings behind…

Investigated classroom management techniques of K-12 teachers whose classrooms included children with Down Syndrome. Teachers, all selected by parents as successful, reported that praise was the best motivator for the Down Syndrome children, and the most effective learning methods were individual and small-group instruction, hands-on activities,…

Proposes a role for experiential learning in the training of political-science doctoral students. Argues that most political science programs assume that students have mastered liberal democratic norms and do not need training for non-academic employment. Bases its arguments for experiential learning on the Maryland Graduate Public Service…

Describes an exchange program for early childhood teachers established by the University of British Columbia and Soong Ching Ling Kindergarten in Shanghai. Briefly discusses how the cooperative program was initiated, the importance of recognizing cultural considerations in the program, and expected outcomes of the program. (TJQ)

Examined success in first-year teaching, using observations and interviews conducted over a school year, to describe a new physical education teacher's experiences. Results revealed several factors which impacted success, some related to preservice preparation, others to school context, and others to the new teacher taking an active role in the…