This book shows how learning circles (small groups of learners who come together to support each other in learning) can make great improvements in teaching quality. Teachers can form learning circles based on six key conditions that promote healthy communities of learners and successful professional development. The six conditions are (1) building a community with other learners, (2) constructing knowledge through personal experience, (3) supporting other learners in their reflective practices, (4) documenting reflections on personal experiences, (5) assessing teachers' expectations, and (6) improving the culture in the classroom. The book's first 7 chapters define learning circles and the six essential conditions and review the important organizational aspects of group process related to creating communities of learners. A final chapter demonstrates how all six conditions interact and are essential for creating and recreating healthy learning circles and communities of learners. The chapter offers suggestions for using the six conditions to develop larger communities of learners beyond the framework of learning circles. (Contains 63 references.) (SM)