The authors of this book have worked together in teacher education for so long, and have thought and talked about that process, that they have come to hold in common a view of both teachers and teaching that is reflected in this book. This commonality extends from what makes a good beginner – most teachers are made, not born – to the means by which a teacher becomes a great teacher. Reflection is a major instrument in this growth. In a teacher’s early years the presence of a skilled mentor teacher sets the foundation for growth. This book provides in print as much as possible of that mentoring spirit via an extended conversation with beginning secondary teachers; thus, Straight Talk.

Matthew H. Bruce, Emeritus Professor of Science Education, Temple University.  Professor Bruce holds the Ph.D from The Pennsylvania State University.  Following military service in the Korean War, he taught in the schools and at the university level for over forty-five years, teaching physics and math and serving as district coordinator for science and mathematics at the former level and spending much of his time working with intending teachers at the latter level, including over twenty-five years as a faculty member in Temple University's Intern Teaching Program for College Graduates.  He has carried on research and has written extensively about this aspect of teacher preparation.  He has participated in the obtaining and operation of numerous grant-supported programs aimed at the improvement of teacher education, serving as Principal Investigator and in other roles, and has also participated in teacher education endeavors in Europe and Asia.  He has served as a consultant to many educational and governmental agencies, ranging from State Education Departments to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia to the U.S. Department of Defense.  He prefers to think of himself as a teacher whose academic background is in science rather than as a scientist who also teaches.

H. Bernard Miller, Emeritus Director of the Intern Teaching Program for College Graduates, Temple University.  Following WWII military service with the Third Infantry Division, Professor Miller completed the teacher education program at Temple University.  He taught in a Philadelphia inner city school where he became department chair.  Among his duties he worked with newly appointed teachers.  He was subsequently invited to join the faculty of Temple University's Intern Teaching Program.  He became Director of this award-winning program, serving for more than twenty years.  Under his leadership the program became widely known, participating in the Peace Corps Returnee Teacher Program, and receiving a number of State and U.S. Office of Education OERI Teacher Mid-Career Training Grants providing for business, industry and military personnel enter secondary teaching in urban areas.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania awarded Dr. Miller its first Certificate of Recognition in appreciation for his contributions to The Pennsylvania Teacher Intern Program.  He holds the Doctorate from Temple University.