This guidebook is offered as a resource for teachers who want to take a leadership role in initiating and directing teacher centers. The references and suggestions used in preparing this publication were based on teacher center proposals that have been funded by the Office of Education. There are six primary areas of this subject covered. The first part describes the role of the American Federation of Teachers in supporting teacher centers and offers suggestions on project ideas. Planning a proposal, suggested meeting agendas, rules and regulations, and evaluation criteria are the subject of the second part. In the third part, developing a needs assessment instrument for the teacher center is discussed. The personnel of the teacher center is the subject of the fourth part; the project staff, director qualifications, specialists, and coordinators are considered. Included in this section are sample budget forms and methods of projecting a budget. The completed proposal for a teacher center is the focus of the fifth part, including suggestions on obtaining government funding. Federal regulations regarding teacher center funding are listed in the final section as well as resources available for support for such projects. (JD)