Over the past year, two comprehensive studies of youth workers were coordinated by the Next Generation Youth Work Coalition. Together, these two studies, conducted by the Forum for Youth Investment and the National Afterschool Association, capture the voices and perspectives of over 5,000 youth workers from across the country. Together they offer…

Workplace stress and its impact upon retention levels are becoming an increasing concern within the teaching profession (Brown, Davis, & Johnson, 2002; Jarvis, 2002). Research has largely focused upon the effects of environmental factors, whilst noting that it is the interplay between the individual and the environment which may hold the key to…

In many countries today teaching has been identified as one of the most stressful occupations. The total annual cost of stress to the British Education Service has been estimated as high as 360 million U.S. dollars. The objective of this research study with teachers in the Department of Education at the University of Manchester was to identify…

This book is a collection of essays published in a column in "Counseling Today", the newspaper of the American Counseling Association. These essays are written by various counselors who relate their successes, challenges, doubts, and failures; they describe some of the personal issues involved in counseling practice that are rarely discussed.…

This paper examines issues in the education of students with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD), especially those issues that impinge upon teachers or which teachers directly affect. The paper cites many findings from a report by Jane Knitzer and others titled "At the Schoolhouse Door," which is critical of much educational practice…

This book examines the thesis that teacher burnout and student dropout stem from the same source, a process of alienation causing students and teachers to "give up on school." The first chapter outlines the size of the problem and some of the specific conditions that contribute to it. The second chapter examines the context of cultural…

This study investigated relationships between willingness to teach and selected variables including personal, familial, school, and social factors among teachers of the mentally retarded in Taiwan. Participants included 527 elementary and junior high school teachers of the mentally retarded. Personal factors statistically correlated with teaching…

Indiana vocational home economics teachers completed questionnaires examining the extent of their participation in professional development activities. The study also explored the level of satisfaction with their jobs and the relationship of these two variables. Approximately two-thirds (n=350) of Indiana's teachers were asked to participate; 263…

Studies indicate that many teachers leave the profession within the first 5 years, and that often the most highly qualified and skilled teachers are the most likely to leave. Student-teachers and beginning teachers tend to have idealized aspirations for their teaching. However, the reality of secondary schools is that myriad forces will undermine…

Findings of a study that examined teachers' personal reasons for resigning are presented in this paper, which develops a model of teacher persistence. Interviews were conducted with 57 teachers who resigned from primary schools, and various regional and Head Office positions with the New Wales (Australia) Department of School Education during the…

Individuals who work in the helping professions (physicians, counselors, nurses, pastors, and social workers) often work with individuals in stressful crisis situations. In addition to working in high stress situations, helpers in rural areas also suffer from isolation from support networks and peers that are available to urban helpers. This…

A survey questionnaire, designed to explore the extent of job dissatisfaction among female elementary school teachers, elicited responses from 255 subjects with varying demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds from different parts of the country. Questionnaire items focused upon: (1) personal background; (2) job expectations; (3) satisfaction;…

The paper examines issues in special education teacher attrition and reviews a variety of induction and mentorship programs to lessen the common isolation of beginning teachers. Statistics indicating the high attrition rate among beginning teachers, especially special education teachers are cited and related to lack of training and ongoing…

This document reports on the second of a projected series of conferences, for University of Georgia faculty, having the theme of "faculty renewal" (rather than the older "faculty development") as the major focus. Following a brief introduction, the proceedings open with the keynote speech, "Meeting the Challenge of…

English teachers who want to change professions have many skills that can be put to good use outside the classroom--a person who can operate a successful English classroom can tackle any job in the market. An objective look at teaching will yield an impressive list of teachers' competencies and capabilities, especially people skills, such as…