This first article in a professional development series focuses on making the right connections, through technology and with other people, to enable more effective teaching and learning. Highlights include using electronic mail in classroom activities, getting connected to the Internet, and fundamental concepts and procedures. (DGM)

For men and women to be genuinely effective leaders, they need to challenge themselves to grow beyond the limiting boundaries set by gender role definitions. When leaders are aware that the integrated human being is the result of a balanced complement between feminine and masculine personality traits, they enable others to actualize the same…

A training study involving 146 elementary school teachers found that training that corresponded with teachers' beliefs was more likely to enhance learning. However, providing the trainer with diagnostic information was not an effective strategy for achieving greater congruence between teachers' beliefs and instruction. (SLD)

Describes Ohio's Library Leadership 2000 (LL2000) institute, an intensive leadership training program for Ohio librarians designed to provide effective leadership skills necessary for use in a rapidly changing environment. A sidebar lists the LL2000 mentors. (JLB)

To renew and update their professional skills, teachers need to read professional literature; interact with other teachers and educators; take college courses; attend staff development activities; use professional leave time to visit innovative educational programs; and join professional organizations. (MDM)

Describes practical questioning strategies for use in adult literacy classrooms where teachers attempt to balance the daily needs of literacy learning with the broader issue of education for social change. Also discussed is a study of one such classroom and its implications for adult literacy teacher education. (15 references) (MDM)

Examined a staff development program implemented in 2 elementary schools that focused on the beliefs and understandings about reading comprehension instruction of 12 teachers in grades 4-6. Results suggested that group collaboration and empowerment were strongly affected by the interaction of school culture and the staff development process…

Outlines a framework for effective professional development of early childhood educators that identifies key principles and premises that apply across the diverse roles and settings of early childhood professionals. Defines six specific levels of professional development, based on educational qualifications and outcomes, ranging from a certificate…

Uses a case study to illustrate how counselors can use chaos and complexity theory in their work, providing an alternative view to assist counselors in conceptualizing their clients and their practice. Using chaos theory in counseling requires a reevaluation of counselors' assumptions about causation, prediction, and control. (LKS)

Identifies reasons to provide comprehensive induction programs for beginning counselors. Describes a pilot mentor education program on developmental principles, which features a new model of an in-service program aimed at addressing the needs of the novice counselor while providing experienced counselors with continued professional development.…

Examined perceptions of four cooperating or supervisory teachers for early childhood student teachers. Perceptions suggest the need to look beyond a functional approach in understanding what cooperating teachers do, noting the collaborative role they play, the artistry involved, and the match-mismatch between university assessment criteria and…

A school-based evaluation/supervision/development (S-BESD) model of teacher evaluation is presented. This model will provide a reasonable balance between teacher autonomy and system control. The model provides 5 growth alternatives and 10 growth support elements to meet teacher needs, reduce isolation, promote reflection, and improve performance.…

One goal of the Junior/Intermediate Option 2, a preservice and induction program initiated by University of Toronto education faculty and the Learning Consortium, is to explore the formation of peer groups and improve peer relations among beginning teachers. This paper finds base support groups a valuable component for fostering collegiality and…

Explains the definition and criteria of high quality in early childhood practitioners as the most important element in determining the quality of an early childhood program. Defines professionalism in the early childhood field and describes differentiated levels of professionalism, early childhood teacher certification from a national perspective,…

To examine the role of mentoring in urban school settings, conceptions of "urban schools,""mentors," and "mentoring" are explored. The most critical component of successful mentoring is a shared philosophy of the ways students learn and the possibility of learning. Strengthening the ability of mentors to exchange information is essential. (SLD)