Invitational education aims at creating a total school environment that intentionally summons teachers and students to realize their potential in all areas of worthwhile human endeavor and to make classrooms "the most inviting place in town." Within this model, invitational teaching addresses the role of the teacher in summoning individuals to see themselves as able, valuable, and responsible, who behave accordingly. This publication is organized into six chapters: (1) "What Is Invitational Teaching?" which identifies the vital elements of trust, respect, optimism, and intentionality; (2) "Foundations of Invitational Teaching," which offers a detailed look at the perceptual tradition and the self-concept theory upon which invitational teaching rests; (3) "Four Levels of Functioning," which describes teachers who are intentionally disinviting, unintentionally inviting, unintentionally disinviting, and intentionally inviting, and introduces the "plus factor" described as teaching with such skill and grace that the act of inviting does not call attention to itself; (4) "The Four Corner Press," which examines ways in which teachers can be more inviting, personally and professionally, with themselves and others; (5) "The Five Powerful Ps" (people, places, policies, programs, and processes); and (6) "Conflict Resolution: The Rule of the Five Cs" (concern, confer, consult, confront, and combat). A 116-item bibliography is included. (LL)