This article examines standards which would define a teacher who is good enough to teach children. A good teacher should understand the development of learners. To ensure inclusive learning environments, the teacher should use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures. The teacher should also collaborate with others to develop…

What are acute poverty challenges for culturally disadvantaged school communities across the United States? How do practicing teacher-researchers, pursuing advanced degrees, view this issue and the 21st century skills and dispositions classroom teachers need to foster change? Curious about this topic from the viewpoints of teachers who are…

Each year, new professional educators enter their classrooms full of energy and ready to engage their students in the quest for knowledge and academic success. Yet they soon encounter challenges and obstacles that often discourage and end many promising teachers' careers. To illustrate some of the challenges facing early career teachers, a…

In these complicated new times, many new teachers begin their careers in urban and other schools with increasingly diverse student populations. And as people know, many new teachers leave those schools--and some leave teaching altogether--after just a few years in the field. In today's world, policy makers, politicians, educational leaders, the…

Modifying course plans to accommodate diverse learners seems simple in theory. However, when faced with specific applications, many teachers feel lost. In a school community, they need not feel alone. General classroom teachers have several sources of ongoing support available to help them extend their teaching repertoire to meet their students'…

"Working Smarter, Not Harder: Reaching the Tough to Teach" is the topic of an exclusive four-part series by the author for the "Kappa Delta Pi Record." Part I, Prior Knowledge and Concept Development, appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of the "Record". Part II, Content Integration, appeared in the Winter 2008 issue. This article is the third of the…

When observing teachers in action, one is likely to witness explaining, modeling, managing, guiding, and encouraging. These expressive behaviors constitute a directive force moving outward from teacher to students. Though less visible to an outside observer, teaching also requires receptive skills, the ability to take in information by being fully…

Skillful substitute teachers are critical to student achievement, especially in today's high-stakes accountability environment. Because teachers are absent from duty, some for short periods of time and others for lengthy time frames, schools may find it difficult to meet high academic and accountability standards without prepared substitute…

Building a repertoire of teaching skills means organizing instructional strategies in some meaningful way. In this brief essay, the author recommends that beginning teachers develop a repertoire comprised of a mix of strategies from each of Joyce, Weil, and Calhoun's (2004) categories: three strategies from the Cognitive Family (Concept…

Traditionally, teachers found job openings by "word of mouth" and often were hired with a rather informal set of interview questions. The old standard "tell me about yourself" was a question that started the interview, and it probably ended with "and where do you see yourself in five years?" Research supports the assumption that many teachers…

The major goal of this article is to provide teachers with a set of clear and concise recommendations as well as a model for developing effective instruments that will promote powerful learning opportunities for their students, and at the same time, improve their own teaching skills. Based on the author's experience, some of the most problematic…

Proposes four ways to help teachers truly develop as educators, including: peer coaching to gain and develop knowledge and skills; collaborative teaching for daily practice and feedback; and parent and student questionnaires and videotaping of teachers at work to help evaluate personal teaching performance. (SM)

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)Standards for teacher professional development include five propositions of accomplished learning (e.g., teacher commitment to students and learning, teachers knowing the subjects they teach and how to teach them, and teachers as members of learning communities). Early research shows…

Discusses questions that must be explored and answered if content standards are to improve teaching and learning, examining the need for standards, four types of standards, levels of standards, a framework for reform, and the creation of standards. Concludes with recommendations about how educators can use standards to improve teaching and…

Serious questions which face us may often be better understood when a modicum of salty satire is applied. Or is the author serious?!! (Editor)