Steps in developing a camp staff handbook include considering its intended uses, choosing a name, deciding on the handbook's size and the cover's style and design, choosing and sequencing topics and subtopics, and designing the layout of each page. Eye-catching ways to present information and tips for refreshing an old handbook are discussed. (SV)

Emphasizes the importance of the planning and the process of organizing staff meetings. Specifically addresses the areas concerning clarity of purpose and structure of meetings, as well as promoting learning and connecting during meetings. Provides specific strategies to achieve these goals including suggestions for self-assessment. (SD)

Presents an inventive approach to professional development in early childhood education and care settings. Focuses on how early childhood programs shape the stories of individual children, the importance of planning physical environments to shape stories and remembering the power of the social-emotional environment, and the need to include…

Offers 11 concrete approaches to improve the quality of substitute teacher programs and provides sample evaluation forms. (MLF)

Defines distance learning, summarizes recent developments, and explains four networks in the federally funded Star School Program: TI-IN, the Midland Consortium, the Technical Education Research Center (TERC), and the Satellite Educational Resources Consortium (SERC). Satellite networks are the most cost-effective way to offer advanced classes and…

Observers of school reform efforts in 17 central New York school districts found a performance dip that sets in during the implementation stage. Staff performance suffers because everyone is learning the new system. Assistance, support, and training need to be offered until everyone has mastered the basics. Gradually, the reforms will become an…

Asserts that school-based staff development is needed to help develop ideas to promote and motivate wide reading so that all students can reap the benefits of that practice. Contains several ideas for staff developers to use in helping schools plan how to encourage wide reading. (PRA)

School restructuring is enhanced when strong staff development plays three primary roles: a vehicle for developing new knowledge, skills, and attitudes; an unfreezing influence that helps people consider large-scale restructuring; and a vision of the school as a learning community. Examples from three school districts are provided. (SM)

Discusses creativity as an essential component of effective library management. Creative organizations are characterized as encouraging staff to take calculated risks and tolerating their failures; structuring work groups to maximize creativity; investing in staff development; providing adequate resources for programs and staff; and hiring highly…

Staff developers need to recognize management practices that interfere with the establishment of conditions necessary for professional growth, then seek alternative to those practices. The article describes 13 management myths and presents alternative actions that encourage viewing the school as a community of leaders. (SM)

Discusses beginning high school magazine in terms of seeking out job descriptions, building staff morale, and recognizing the staff. (SR)

Discusses the importance of conducting research on the impact of professional development on student learning, explaining why research has not provided any answers and describing an alternative approach that involves beginning from the end then working backward. The paper presents four staff-development principles common to the diverse mix of…

Profiles of three introspective U.S. corporations show how they have taken significant steps to promote organizational learning. By considering the implications for schools, staff developers can foster organizational learning practices for professional development and school improvement. This paper discusses the learning organization as a common…

Returning camp staff can help build a team environment with new staff during precamp activities. A panel of experienced staff can answer questions and previous emergencies can be reviewed to build risk management expertise. Three games are described in which returning staff can share knowledge in a fun way. (TD)

How a camp responds to a crisis may determine whether it can survive financially. Effective risk management requires total commitment from ownership and management, and staff involvement. Steps in formulating a risk management plan include identifying all potential crises and their frequency and severity potential, developing responses,…