A theoretical framework is proposed to guide the reflective thinking of practitioners in the classroom. In this paper, the teacher's work is considered to be a series of acts intentionally performed for the educational benefit of all individuals interacting in the classroom. A discussion is presented on the theory of personal knowledge developed by Michael Polanyi, and an explanation is given of what Polanyi's epistemology offers teachers. A concept of teaching is outlined that is based on Polanyi's theory of personal knowledge. This concept recognizes the teacher's concern for instructing students explicity in an existing body of knowledge, and the students' need for expression that enables each individual to make explicit in some way their personal perspective. A description is offered of a university program to help teachers choose and emphasize methods and activities for teaching in accordance with the intentional purposes of their lessons. Charts illustrate the models of teaching developed from the theoretical framework, and references are included. (JD)