Nestled in the Himalayan Mountains, Bhutan, a Buddhist country, is one of the most isolated nations in the world. After spending a month there, the authors all agreed it deserved its title of "The Last Shangri-La." Their team of professional development specialists spent the summer of 2010 providing professional development in the basic…

Students in Lawrence, MA, explored careers and increased future employment potential through a school/business relationship based on Japanese business practices. A description of this program and how the corporations trained students and teachers to use statistical charting techniques are given. (DF)

This paper profiles Anna Steffin, principal of a Canadian elementary school, who has built a community of learners among her teachers and encourages quality staff development, collegiality, parent participation, and parent teacher cooperation. She promotes her beliefs by being an active participant in all activities. (SM)

Recent developments in Ontario, Canada, are used to identify and discuss issues related to teacher induction and teacher education reform efforts in North America. (Author)

In northern Quebec, "Satuigiarniq" is a project that gives Inuit community members a voice in reclaiming responsibility for their children's education. This paper explains how the project developed and improved over time, focusing on training of local leaders, development of community groups, and presentations to the Education Council.…

A two-week staff development seminar in Japan enabled teachers and administrators to make a visible impact as staff development leaders. The program involved an orientation, the seminar, and subsequent intercultural programs in district schools. Immersing participants in another culture taught them to appreciate diversity within their own schools.…

Harold Stevenson, author of "The Learning Gap," describes differences between schools in the United States, which he feels are in crisis, and those in Asia. The article includes important differences in staff development and in the working conditions of teachers in those countries. (SM)

Data obtained from the Change Facilitators Stages of Concern Questionnaire were used in the Philippines to select content in a one-month staff development program for department heads. The training program was strongly influenced by participants' concerns. The article describes the change facilitator stages of concern. (SM)