TEACHERS FACE ENORMOUS challenges in the classroom today. Veteran teachers are often frustrated and weary. Those who are just entering the field are sometimes afraid they will fail to make any significant contributions. In spite of this, however, most teachers share the feelings of Marilyn Grondel, Utah Teacher of the Year for 1990–1991: "Teaching is not a job but involvement in children's lives."

Even enthusiastic teachers like Marilyn Grondel understand that they will be pushed to the limit of their skill and patience when they go to work each day. Students are undisciplined. Administration is demanding. Parents are apathetic. In the face of all this, teachers must stick to lesson plans, maintain a calm and cheerful attitude, and also cope with classroom complications ranging from illiteracy to child abuse, from learning disabilities to a shortage of textbooks. Certainly...