The common theme uniting this collection of six essays is the deceiving simplicity of teaching. Their underlying purpose is to uncover the complexity of the craft as embodied in the two dominant outlooks on educational thought and practice: the "mimetic" and the "transformative." Discussions are presented on five crucial issues: (1) on knowing how to teach; (2) the uncertainties of teaching; (3) real teaching; (4) the future of teaching; and (5) alternative outlooks on teaching. Observations are made about teacher student relations, the problems teachers face, and competing academic traditions. (JD)