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NEA Communications 202-822-7200

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 1998

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A short and snappy tip book on personal and professional development for teachers is now available from the National Education Association (NEA) Professional Library. In MegaSkills Moments for Teachers, popular author and educator, Dorothy Rich describes realistic scenarios in which everyday problems are resolved with a positive attitude and pragmatic advice.

Dr. Rich is the author of the well-known "MegaSkills" series widely used by schools nationwide to improve children's achievement in the classroom. Her earlier books identified 11 "MegaSkills" essential to student success: confidence, motivation, effort, responsibility, initiative, perseverance, caring, teamwork, common sense, problem solving, and focus. In her latest offering, at the urging of NEA, Dr. Rich applies her practical strategies to situations facing the classroom teacher.

"MegaSkills Moments for Teachers is the ultimate user-friendly self-help book for teachers," says NEA President Bob Chase. "It covers both personal and professional issues - and it's already flying off the shelves. Thanks to her strong following and plain-speaking advice, Dr. Rich has become the Dear Abby of teachers."

Dr. Rich's new self-help book is a valuable addition to a growing body of professional development resources designed to improve teacher quality and efficiency. In an easy-to-follow format, MegaSkills Moments for Teachers presents a problem and provides a solution using one of the 11 "MegaSkills." The scenarios cover a variety of professional concerns ranging from classroom discipline to working effectively with parents. The author also bravely tackles personal issues, such as helping teachers beat classroom burnout.

In 1972, Dr. Rich founded the Washington, D.C.- based Home and School Institute (HSI) and the MegaSkills Education Center to improve children's achievement in school and beyond. HSI offers teacher training and materials for use in parental involvement programs and in the classroom. Dr. Rich's "MegaSkills" program is in use by over 3,000 schools across the country and abroad. To date, special school workshops have reached more than 100,000 families from all ethnic groups.

Dr. Rich's work has received the "A+ for Breaking the Mold Award" from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as recognition from the MacArthur Foundation and other distinguished foundations. Her ideas have been tested and found to be effective in raising student achievement, reducing academic problems, increasing time spent on homework, and decreasing time spent watching television.

Dr. Rich's previous books include MegaSkills: Building Children's Achievement for the Information Age and Survival Guide for Today's Parents.

MegaSkills Moments for Teachers, stock no. 2006-5-00-KS, can be ordered from the NEA Professional Library by calling 1-800-229-4200. Price is $12.95 to the general public and $9.95 for NEA members.

The NEA Professional Library is devoted exclusively to providing professional development materials for educators and education support personnel. The library offers innovative products and more than 200 titles covering early childhood development, elementary, middle, secondary and higher education. Bestsellers include Pitfalls and Potholes: A Checklist for Avoiding Common Mistakes of Beginning Teachers and Countdown to the First Day of School. A full catalog of the NEA Professional Library is available upon request.