The primary functions of a teachers' center and the qualities to look for in individuals who will form the core staff are delineated. Three main tasks for a teacher center are: improving instruction in the classroom; bringing people together to effect the improvement; and coping with the complexities of change in people and institutions that the focus on the classroom and cooperation entails. The prime task of the core staff is discernment of needs. A person who is able to see a situation clearly and be sensitive to group interrelationships is needed. Such a staff member must discern the complexities of what people need in order to improve instruction. A program organizer who can spot potential, encourage and support it, and help people to enlarge their knowledge and skills and hone their ability to share them is essential to a core staff member. Ability to communicate clearly is important, as is the ability to design and operate a curriculum resource area. The core staff should be able to locate and recruit interesting and challenging outside resource persons. (JD)