Three groups of Academic librarians in Louisiana were surveyed to determine what factors other than job performance influenced professional progress (Salary increases, promotion and tenure) for them. Staff development activities were also investigated to determine if they played any significant role in influencing professional progress. Three opinion questions were also asked in this investigation about the feasibility of using an index that was developed to assess quantitatively staff development activities.

The diploma thesis describes the novice teachers' problems they have to face and are associated with their entrance into the practice. Its aim is to identify these problems via analysis, describe possible solution and suggest a support how to prevent these problems. The theoretical part focuses on a teacher as an individual, his or her quality and professional standards nowadays. Additionally, the thesis summarises any concerns the novice teachers might have, any problems and the support system available to them. This system stems from the educational preparation and a lifelong professional progress. The practical part of the thesis contains a qualitative research based on three resources - a questionnaire, an interview and an observation method. This part aims to analyse problems of novice teachers in the first month of their practice, their approaches to solution and available support provided to them. The purpose of the observation is to further elaborate the current problems of novice teachers and to form a view on how they are facing with them nowadays. The thesis concludes describing numerous problems novice teachers' are currently facing with, summarises any suggestion of possible solution and a potential support how to prevent these problems in future. KEYWORDS Novice teacher, professional...