This argues that the major challenge for all who are involved in the professional development of teachers, whether in initial or in-service training, lies in providing means by which teachers may become more critically aware of their own values, thinking and practices and thus empowering them to find new and more effective ways of teaching. The author views teachers as essentially self-directing but, citing examples from Australia, England and North America, he sees them as being under threat from forces of production and accountability which have seized the political and moral initiative with calls for a more prescriptive education curriculum, more "value for money" and quality control. He makes many practical suggestions for teacher educators and teachers themselves which can enable them to be released "from the paralysis of being hurried and harried".