Argues that secondary and post secondary academic department chairs are both managers and leaders whose real work is to manage conversational inquiry that engages others in creating possibilities, breakthroughs, and a sustainable future for their common enterprise. Describes leadership capabilities demanded by this work; well-honed communication…

Discusses quality circles and King Arthur's Round Table as examples of participatory decision making. Explains how such an approach to management can serve everybody concerned. (FL)

Argues that effective classroom management is based upon teachers creating caring relationships with their students. Describes the author's experience creating such relationships and how classroom disruptions diminished dramatically. Offers 15 strategies to improve teacher-student relationships. (SR)

Describes some practical techniques that lead to effective classroom discipline and that maintain an optimal learning environment. Suggestions include (1) spending time with students individually; (2) using a variety of techniques to help students make smooth transitions from one activity to another; and (3) constructing contingency contracts to…