This book analyzes a collection of 147 stories from more than 50 teachers about memorable moments in their teaching careers. Recurrent themes from these stories, depicting the interactive nature of teaching, the teaching-learning process, and the rewards of teaching, are categorized. Because the work of teachers is generally devalued and…

As in urban schools, at-risk students in rural schools may be unmotivated, lack purpose for learning, have special learning problems, or come from dysfunctional families. In this paper, an experienced teacher in a small rural Oklahoma high school describes her efforts to demonstrate that at-risk students would improve in all language areas as a…

This paper provides a synthesis of literature pertaining to differentials in earnings between male and female teachers at the elementary, secondary, and higher levels of education. In addition to sex discrimination, other factors of unequal compensation are examined, some of which include teaching experience, educational preparation, teacher…

A descriptive study compared lesson plans from three groups of English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers: experienced teacher; graduate students who had taught ESL before returning to school; and graduate students with no ESL teaching experience. The lesson plans were based on a textbook listening activity that included directions for listening…

A sample of 81 caregivers in 24 urban centers was observed in interactions with preschool children ages 3 to 5. Observation centered on the domains of positive and negative socioemotional inputs, language facilitation, concept promotion, and caregiving and cleaning up (of children and of environment). The teachers provided responses to questions…

The literature on teaching does not include the perspectives of the student teacher in learning to teach, particularly in rural contexts. This study explored the development of two early childhood education student teachers' pedagogical perspectives, with respect to enactment of curriculum in two rural contexts. Two case studies illustrate the…

Researchers have demonstrated that differences exist in the planning and interactive decision making tendencies of expert and novice teachers. This study investigated whether such differences exist between more experienced preservice teachers (n=6) and less experienced preservice teachers (n=6). Each teacher planned, taught, and reviewed two…

Forty-two pairs of experienced and novice teachers predicted the rank order of their pupils' scores on the reading and mathematics portions of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS). The pool of novice teachers were first semester students in the Arizona State University Professional Teacher Preparation Program (PTPP). The experienced teachers in…

This study was conducted to investigate pupil responses to lessons taught by preservice teachers, and it addresses teachers' concept mapping as related to interactive behavior or effectiveness in the classroom. Lessons taught by student teachers (N=10) were examined for what pupils thought were the lesson's key ideas and for two things pupils…

This theme issue of "Educational Foundations" presents five articles on topics ranging from moral concern in matters such as textbook controversies to the politics of society. Additionally, three of the articles focus on the teaching and learning of adults. Kenneth D. Benne's article, "Toward a Moral Basis for Politics and a Political Basis for…

This paper proposes teaching strategies that promote positive interactions and scholastic success among Native American students. It is written from the perspective of a non-Native educator who has taught on reservations and at a federal boarding school. While the strategies are geared to the teaching of Native students, the underlying principles…

This qualitative research, based on interviews with 30 secondary-level cooperating teachers, examines the student teaching experience from the perspective of the cooperative teacher. In the interviews, cooperating teachers identified many changes in their own classroom practices that occurred as a result of their experiences with student teachers.…

This thesis examined the relationship between the level of endorsement of developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) by 14 second-grade teachers and the construction of self-concept of children in their classrooms. Teachers were given the Primary Teacher Questionnaire, a beliefs scale that assesses the level of endorsement of DAP, and were…

This study was conducted to examine perceptions of effective mentoring by both beginning and experienced teachers. Fourteen mentors and 15 beginners agreed to participate. Tape recorded interviews were conducted with each individual; questions related to: (1) the mentor's prior experience and the beginner's teacher preparation; (2) specific…

The purpose of this study was to develop methodologies to support experienced teachers in taking on the role of participant researchers and engaging in collaborative inquiry through action research projects about their teaching practices. Although the structures designed were not content-specific, the teachers in the study were using the LOGO…