Maintains that while extracurricular sponsorship is psychologically draining, advising yearbooks and drama rekindle the spirit and feed the malnourished soul. Reviews specific benefits of extracurricular activities to the sponsoring teacher. Offers a brief look at the future of sponsorship and extracurricular activities. (TB)

Discusses the relationship between industry-related training assignments and faculty job satisfaction, presenting findings from a study of faculty in 37 Texas community colleges. Highlights demographic and work environment variables. Reports general faculty satisfaction with the work but dissatisfaction with working conditions. Presents teachers'…

Clinical psychologist Taibi Kahler's Process Communication Model is based on six personality types (dreamers, persisters, promoters, reactors, rebels, and workaholics). By satisfying people's individual communication needs, the model helps improve student motivation and achievement, enhances staff morale, and reduces the need for discipline. (MLH)

Discussion of the assessment of the quality of library reference service focuses on four aspects of service interaction: user needs and expectations, staff behavior and communication skills, the reference environment, and staff morale and workload. Measurement techniques for each aspect are also described. (Contains 36 references.) (LRW)

A survey of doctors (51 responses) working with people with developmental disabilities in New South Wales (Australia) found a high attrition rate and flagging morale for health care professionals, which were attributed to implementation of the "Guardianship Act" and transfer of services from the Department of Health to the Department of…

Afterschool systems reduce the number of employees, the surviving staff members often experience low morale, distrust, and guilt. Administrators can help the survivors by answering questions about the layoff: whether it was necessary; whether it was conducted fairly; whether those who were laid off were treated humanely; and what is the status of…

A survey of 106 day care center directors found that accreditation helped the majority to better market their programs, improve program components, and improve staff morale. Nearly 95% reported that program reaccreditation would be sought. (MDM)

Outlines some ways in which teachers can maintain a sense of self in a negative and distrusting environment. Teachers should (1) know themselves; (2) follow their values; (3) maintain an internal locus of control; (4) talk to themselves; and (5) surround themselves with others who have similar feelings. (MDM)

Pairs of Illinois elementary teachers (previously enrolled in a language arts cooperative development project) formed a partner system involving communication via shared journals to reduce isolation during a staff development project. Participants found the shared journals very effective in sustaining collegiality. The article notes five…

The relationship of teacher participation in Quality Circles to teacher satisfaction was examined for 64 elementary school teachers participating in 9 Quality Circle decision-making groups. Participation in the Quality Circles did not meet subjects' needs for achievement, recognition, or growth; and it did not increase job satisfaction. (SLD)

A study surveyed 85 Israeli individuals with disabilities who volunteered in organizations for people with disabilities in relation to three components of empowerment: family, services, and community. Three organizational factors (patterns of activity in organization, representation, and participation in decision making) and two personal factors…

Observes that teaching today is a major challenge as teachers attempt to sift through everything that confronts them and as they constantly struggle with conflict while trying to address the complex dilemmas facing them daily in their classrooms. (SR)

The economic paradigm imposed upon education and the externally applied bureaucratic supervision upon teachers prompts discord and damages morale among teachers. The dedication shown by teachers of adventure education is explained by the fact that students value and benefit from adventure education, and it allows teachers to focus on broader…

Ponders F. Scott Fitzgerald's essays about his "crack-up" and relates them to the many complex aspects of the struggles of a teacher using post-structural literary theory and teaching two-year college students. (SR)

Summarizes research examining how senior management teams affected teacher morale and job satisfaction in an English primary school. Findings reveal the nature and quality of school management as the most influential factor determining the quality of teachers' working lives. School management teams cannot handle the pressures of contemporary…