Given the centrality of leadership for school success, leader morale and effectiveness in tough times can't be overemphasized. The authors' work examined how principals and superintendents deal with and are affected by a significant economic downturn. They surveyed 93 principals from one large upper-Midwest metropolitan area and 100…

Teachers must deal with lights that turn off on their own, toilet paper rationing and hot water shortages in the bathrooms, and not enough books for their classes. In this article, the author argues that asking teachers to work in these conditions while holding them accountable for dramatic improvements in student performance threatens to drive…

A former teacher recounts her reasons for leaving the profession. (IRT)

In response to an article on teacher burnout, the author explains why she remains in teaching. (IRT)

Recounts the circumstances leading to the author's decision to retire from teaching--an example of "knowing when to quit." (MCG)

The natural conflict in a governmental system of checks and balances has a ripple effect, beginning with the low morale in Washington offices and ending with the recipients of program funds. A new Department of Education will not alter the problem. (Author/IRT)

Argues that how teachers feel about themselves professionally stems from the education profession itself--from the way it recognizes high achievement, the way it prepares teachers for their profession, what it expects from teachers in schools, and the role of teachers in educational research and development. (Author)

A teacher discusses the transition from building-level autonomy to unilateral decision making by the central office in her school district. She points out how this change became a step backward for the school. (MD)

When preservice teachers graduate and obtain their first teaching position, it is hoped that they have taken the first step on a creative path toward becoming professional educators. Naturally, it is expected that these novice educators will get support from both experienced colleagues and administrators, who often serve as their mentors. Such…

The intensive drive to promote national standards and assessments has gathered support from unproven connections between U.S. economic success and the nature of learning in schools. Now that teachers are being challenged to produce a bottom-up sea-change in their own classrooms, Uncle Sam's presence in the back of the room may be a growing problem…

Methods to reduce layoffs, encourage natural staff turnover, and quell fear and frustration are unpaid leaves of absence, job sharing, early retirement bonus programs, and aggressive teacher evaluation. Where layoffs have been unavoidable, some school districts have devised placement services. Districts must avoid using layoffs to create turnover.…

School systems anticipating their first year of bussing should marshal their resources for service programs such as desegregation workshops and therapy groups for teachers. (Author/IRT)

Describes the work of an elected team of junior high school teachers that helps frustrated colleagues resolve classroom management problems. (MCG)

Teachers can gain strength to continue in their profession by consciously forging links--personal, parental, professional, promotional, and practitioner--that bind them to various constituencies. (MLF)

In satirical verse the author affirms the value of merit pay proposals and laments the lack of action on such proposals that has resulted from indecisiveness concerning criteria for merit pay implementation. (JBM)