The Education Commission of the States has initiated a series of dialogues between teachers and the people responsible for shaping the institutional and political context within which learning takes place. This booklet draws on transcripts of several "Talks With Teachers" to introduce leaders to what teachers are saying. Though the quotations are relatively few, they are representative. Preceding each series of remarks on some aspect of teaching is a brief introduction to what seem to be teachers' common concerns. Following each series is a brief conclusion pointing out some of the implications for policy. The talks focused on: (1) concern for children; (2) the demands on teachers' time; (3) teaching as a changing profession; (4) teachers as a resource for change; and (5) teacher support of state policy. (JD)