Annotated Bibliography of Resources for Educational Reform, Coherent Teaching Practice, and Improved Student Learning

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• Jalongo, M. R., & Isenberg, J. P. (1995). Teachers' stories: From personal narrative to professional insight. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

StorytellingÑor narrativeÑis gaining acceptance as an important tool for professional development, research, and teaching. This book shows how teachers can use stories of their teaching to reflect on their own practice, articulate values and beliefs, give shape and form to teaching theory, and better understand the decision-making processes. This book offers strategies for generating, sharing, and using narrative. The authors use classroom stories to illustrate points made throughout the book. Individual chapters built around specific themes show how teachers use narrative to forge connections, learn from students, reflect upon experience, understand dilemmas and resolve conflict, develop as professionals, and enter the educational dialogue. In the chapter on professional development, the authors note that teacher stories contribute to teacher growth in several ways. Teachers' stories invite reflective practice, chronicle growth and change, promote the "ethic of caring," help teachers find their "voice," and can enhance cross-cultural understandings. Throughout the book, a picture is drawn of the reflective practitioner and a value is placed on teachers' knowledge and understanding. The authors say that "stories are both mirrors of our own practice and windows on the practice of others."

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