Presents Robert Cormier's speech as winner of the Margaret A. Edwards Award that was given at the 1991 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. Highlights include the role of libraries during his youth, his role as library trustee in Leominster (Massachusetts), and libraries' financial difficulties today and in the future. (LRW)

Illustrates the relevance of the feminist critique of science by focusing on the professionalization of teachers. Reviews different theoretical approaches to the issue of professionalization. Concludes that a gender-related approach leads to a reevaluation of the teaching profession. (CFR)

Explores the status of public-relations practitioners of color, identifies areas of concern for both scholars and professionals, and suggests areas for further investigation. Finds practitioners feel there has been progress toward including minorities in upper-level management positions in the field, yet their experiences reveal that barriers…

During the late 1980s, registered-nurse education moved from hospital-based training to higher education in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Differences in funding arrangements in the two countries can be explained by two separate movements impacting health care policy: the professionalization of nursing and economic rationalization.…

Reviews the history of library reference service as well as the ethical debates that have emerged. Topics include codes of ethics; neutrality, and being impartial and non-judgmental; treating patrons equally; plagiarism versus confidentiality; teaching patrons; training staff; and competence and professionalism. (LRW)

States that as long as society rates careers outside the home as more valuable than parenting, it will be impossible for the status of child-care professionals to improve. When children become valued, their caretakers will be. Three child-care professionals respond with their points of view. (ET)

Uses an account of the "left-hand castes" or the "Kammalans" in India to investigate the marginal status of writing teachers in the academy today. Argues for a university structure in which language and language programs are neither at the top of the professional hierarchy nor the bottom but at the center. (TB)

The evolution and design of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln's departmental system of teaching awards are outlined. Ways of rewarding outstanding teaching are suggested, including promotion, tenure, merit pay, increasing nominations for teaching awards, faculty development leaves for teaching, provision of special resources beyond the usual…

Means of honoring teaching at the United States Military Academy (New York) are discussed. The internal debate over teaching awards within this specific academic culture, in which faculty are mostly military officers, is examined and alternatives for honoring teaching are explored. Currently, a teaching academy provides faculty development in…

Describes biases in early child care profession against home-based providers. Encourages: (1) crossing bridges to learn with and from each other; (2) crossing bridges to build a profession; and (3) building bridges between home and center-based providers. Recommends that professionalism be defined by commitment to high quality care and not…

Archival research and interviews with teachers and key informants in Benin schools examined cultural schemata that define teacher identity as vessel and conveyer of special knowledge, civil servant, self-sacrificing parental surrogate, or efficient worker ensuring high test grades. Conflicts among these identities, between teachers and the state,…

Quality child care is related to the number of adequately prepared practitioners. Unfortunately, workers subsidize the cost of quality by working for substandard wages, few benefits, and little recognition. The need for adequate compensation is the most critical issue facing the profession, and the cost should be shared by all members of society.…

Presents the 1999 winners of the Foxfire Exemplary Classrooms Awards. The winners were diverse in grade level, urban and rural settings, years of experience with the Foxfire core practices, and ideas about how to implement the Foxfire approach. Activities and experiences from each winning classroom are highlighted. Criteria for winning an award…

Researchers have identified elevated risk for stress-sensitive mental disorders among homosexuals attributed to the harmful effects of homophobia. The onset, course, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders among homosexuals differ in important ways from those of heterosexuals. Examines differential rates of mental health morbidity; suicide…

Although job satisfaction has been widely studied among registered nurses working in traditional health care settings, little is known about the job-related values and perceptions of nurses working in school systems. Job satisfaction is linked to lower levels of job-related stress, burnout, and career abandonment among nurses. This study evaluated…