This description of a teacher-researchers's experiences of surprise in daily practice suggests that moments of surprise are opportunities to develop and sustain reflective teaching practice. The experience of surprise is in itself an embodied reflection that can awaken pedagogical possibilities. (SLD)

As a beginning teacher, the author did not recognize that knowing her students was as important as knowing her subject. Teachers should personalize assignments and ask students to write a letter about themselves, write notes explaining tardiness or late homework, create learning logs, and help solve classroom problems. (MLH)

Examines the teaching journal of a first-year chemistry teacher to understand how teachers create professional identities. Focuses on three dilemmas related to feeling like a student versus the expectation to act like an adult, wanting to care for students rather than be tough, and feeling incompetent in the subject matter. Contains 47 references.…

Ordinary, daily teaching experiences form the essence of teachers' practice. Using a guide to reflect on those experiences, either individually or with colleagues, is a step toward self-improvement. The Guided Reflection Protocol helps teachers examine what happened, why it happened, possible meanings, and implications for practice. (MLH)

According to responses from 145 secondary agriculture teachers and 2,400 students, students thought instructional clarity increased when teachers actively involved them. Systematic differences between teachers' and students' perceptions (especially teachers rating themselves more highly than students did) indicate a need for teachers to reflect on…

Reviews issues related to changing the attitudes, beliefs, and dispositions of preservice special educators. Practices in teacher education are reviewed in the areas of reflective thinking and teaching, coursework, information interaction with faculty, and field experiences and supervision. Recommendations for teacher-education practice and…

Presents a conceptual framework for studying the relationship between cognition and the instructional practices of preservice secondary mathematics teachers. Describes how the framework was used as the basis for activities in which preservice teachers engaged in structured reflection upon their teaching as a means toward their professional growth…

A review of the use of self-, peer, and co-assessment in higher education focuses on: (1) research findings on these new assessment forms; (2) ways in which these results can be integrated; and (3) resulting guidelines for educational practitioners. Concludes that use of a combination of these new assessment forms encourages students to become…

Discusses the changing educational context in France, reviewing the relationship between teacher training and professional practice and presenting a model of the development of pedagogical reasoning that shows the relationships between core concepts of pedagogical content knowledge, sociocultural context, and verbal interaction. (SM)

By leaving school and home routines behind, a group of Maine elementary teachers have found grant-funded summer retreats an excellent source of renewal. Teachers have a chance to pursue chosen professional activities, participate in data- driven conversations, and spend time together with no competing concerns. (MLH)

A high school teacher outlines 11 nontraditional expectations for new teachers. Teachers should empathize with students; create partnerships with school community members; account to others; embrace adversity; take the long view; demonstrate competency and interest in others; keep believing in students; maintain high performance goals; share…

La Trobe University has a system of quality assurance in which each subject is systematically reviewed and enhanced by those teaching it. It incorporates student evaluation of teaching, but focuses on the subject teachers' reflection and recommendations for improvements. (SK)

A correctional educator reflects on methods that improve instructional effectiveness. These include teacher-student collaboration, clear goals, student accountability, positive classroom atmosphere, high expectations, and mutual respect. (SK)

Ponders F. Scott Fitzgerald's essays about his "crack-up" and relates them to the many complex aspects of the struggles of a teacher using post-structural literary theory and teaching two-year college students. (SR)

Describes a supervision method that brings together teacher candidates and supervisors to cultivate candidates' disposition toward and ability to construct knowledge. Two case studies illustrate the method, which considers teaching a reflective, inquiry-based, knowledge-producing activity and considers supervision a process where candidate and…