An interview with Professor Zacharie Clements focuses on the educational bureaucracy, issues related to the back-to-basics movement, and cutbacks in school funding. Professor Clements advocates pep rallies for teachers who do a good job despite the drawbacks of the teaching profession. (CM)

Presents ideas to counteract teacher burnout and sagging teacher morale based on the attitudes of characters in the television show M*A*S*H. (CM)

This article gives first-year teachers advice on topics ranging from dealing with pupils' behavior to giving oneself a pat on the back every day. (MT)

Suggests that exercise, diet, voice lessons, or a new look might do more for teaching effectiveness than graduate courses in education. (CM)

Sometimes teachers do not understand their principals. Some teachers think that principals have forgotten what it's like to be in a classroom. To provide insight into what principals think, the author asked several principals in a variety of schools. This article presents the attitudes, concerns, and priorities of principals.

An experienced teacher discusses her experiences in a tough, inner city school and offers suggestions for self-preservation, discipline, guidance techniques, how to handle irate parents, and security measures. (JMB)

The classroom teacher often does not receive necessary positive reinforcement, which tends to lead to low self-esteem. Tips for helping the teacher become more self-aware and more self-confident are offered. (DF)

In the past few years, many school districts have initiated teacher induction programs that pair veteran teachers with novices. This article describes a program and discusses how teachers develop collegial relationships. (MT)

Discusses the problem of teacher burnout, examining its symptoms, scope, and causes. Suggestions for avoiding burnout are presented including: (1) tips from teachers, (2) sabbaticals, (3) special school programs, (4) help from teacher organizations, and (5) ideas from industry. (JMB)

Results of an American Association of School Administrators study indicate that professional autonomy, daily recognition, and involvement in decision making help build teacher morale. Suggestions for strengthening morale in the school environment and improving productivity are offerend. (DF)

Ideas to help teachers cope with problems involving teaching conditions, student behavior, burnout, and other stressors are presented. Examples are given of how teachers coped with problems without "abandoning" the classroom or teaching responsibilities. (CJ)

While teacher centers vary widely in origin, size, and sophistication, most respond to teachers in four crucial ways: (1) services planned according to teacher needs; (2) staff members from the teaching ranks; (3) meeting place for teachers; and (4) convenient locations. Three actual teacher centers are described. (CJ)

Mediocrity is a powerful force. But whatever its cause so far as education is concerned--be it rampant bureaucracy or pressure from teaching peers who feel threatened by excellence--mediocrity can be defeated, if teachers will stand up and refuse to bend to pressures to do less than their best. (Author/SJL)

An interview with Lilian Katz focuses on various aspects of early childhood education, and on the roles of both the early childhood educator and the practicing teacher. (CM)

As a result of staff curtailments and enrollment changes, thousands of veteran teachers are being assigned, voluntarily or involuntarily, to grade levels and subject areas where they have no experience. Advice on how teachers can make the best of job transfers is given. (PP)