Philadelphia schools trying for better teachers

All schools need teachers. What’s more important, however, is that the schools, even Philadelphia Schools, need excellent teachers. Excellent teachers bring many qualities to their classrooms. It’s hard to say what’s most important in regards to characteristics that make teachers great; classroom management, knowledge of subject area, good communication skills with parents, students, and administration, participation in continuing education (required by most, if not all school systems), or a college education. All are indisputable musts for a good teacher. Philadelphia Public Schools recognize this and are working very hard to improve current faculty, and to hire and retain the excellent teachers their students deserve.

Teachers today don’t always look like the fresh-faced 21 year old college graduates of the past. Instituting an alternate-route teacher certification program is one way that Philadelphia Schools are expanding efforts to attract new teachers. This program looks for folks working in the private sector who may want a career change, or have always felt they had something to give to Philadelphia Schools students. Recruiting people from the business world to become teachers is a popular method to solve critical teacher shortages across the country. There are tons of people out there who may have never thought of giving teaching a try, but would make excellent educators for Philadelphia Schools.

I know a Kindergarten teacher who is decided to changed careers to go into teaching. She’s a former marketing executive who decided two years ago that she needed a change. Raising her daughter on her own, she wanted the convenience of having the same schedule as her child. Teaching is something that she’s always wanted to do, and with the added benefit of going to work with her daughter, it was a good switch for her to make. Add into the bargain that she’s an excellent teacher who is driven and dedicated to giving her students the best, and viola! a great teacher for Philadelphia Schools was born.

It’s easy to see, with the above illustration, how school districts like the one serving Philadelphia Schools are turning to people working in the private sector to pick up the chalk. At the same time, Philadelphia Schools are also trying to upgrade the qualifications of classroom teachers by cutting the number of Philadelphia Schools teachers with emergency certifications (those teaching out-of-field, i. e. a music teacher who is currently teaching special ed) and by raising the certification rate throughout Philadelphia Schools, especially among new teachers. By providing more curricular and coaching support, the Philadelphia Schools are helping its teachers improve their skills.

Only by focusing their efforts on recruiting new Philadelphia Schools teachers, keeping them in the classroom, and improving the teaching staff they have, can Philadelphia Schools hope to improve and raise the bar for their educators.

The pros and cons of an online business degree program

After struggling through five years of college, I proudly graduated with not only my B. A. degree, but also a 20/20 hindsight reflection as to what was successful for me and what was distracting. Not surprisingly, the distractions also happened to be some of my favorite things about the college years. Living in the sorority house, staying out too late, the fact that work interfered with my class schedule, and just an overall struggle with balancing my daily academic responsibilities with what I really wanted to spend my time doing.

What I have concluded now that all is said and done? I should have switched from my traditional college setting to an online business degree program. My personality and lifestyle, like many others, respond much more positively to online independent study and there are quite a few reasons as to why.

While I was in college, I started to really pay attention to the TV commercials for higher education, dismissing my previous judgments that they were geared solely toward down & outers and deadbeats. Now suddenly it looked appealing. College wasn’t right for me. I had married my high school sweetheart and working full time was a necessity for both of us. I couldn’t just skip out on the weekly board meeting to go hang out in Accounting 101. Could an online business degree program be a reality? Is there a catch to it? Do employers really respect it as much as a regular, hard earned degree? Yes and no.

First of all, realize that while it is not regular, it is hard earned. Online degrees require a tremendous amount of discipline, since there is no professor in front of you on a daily basis, providing tutoring sessions and guidance on that upcoming assignment. Online degree candidates must be disciplined enough to carve out their own time for their education. It is not an easy fix. It is a lot of work.

Another downer to the online programs is that it comes with a pretty threatening price tag. Many colleges and universities made a huge investment in the birth of online degree programs. Because the majority of students still enroll in traditional desk time courses, colleges have but no choice to hike up online tuition enough to justify the program and make it profitable.

Of course, the price depends on the school that you are looking into enrolling, and many people will assure you that it is still a great idea. I can’t go to graduate school, and I don’t agree with the philosophy that when “life slows down” I can jump back into the academia life. Circumstances often change, but rarely slow down, and I am constantly battling my ambition and drive to accomplish all that I plan to at a young age.

With this being said, the online business program may or may not be for you. Look into financial aid, explore the sites, and make a decision that fits your lifestyle. If you are like me, then it just may work out. If you are the opposite, then it may be more worth your while to enroll in a traditional program. Either way, the educational system will embrace you, and thankfully so will employers. Recent studies show that an online business degree program is quickly enjoying more solid of a reputation and commanding more respect from hiring companies. In the next few years, the college experience and the “college experience” will be regarded as equals.

Don’t let the social stigmas of online degrees, or the hard work that is required scare you into making your decision. Rather be sure to explore and research the pros and cons as related to your own life. Pursue success, and in time success will surely come to you.

Finding science and art in phoenix schools

Many, many programs are available to students throughout all Phoenix Public Schools districts. Sensing the constant need for improvements, and to keep up with national and global standards, Phoenix Schools are meeting these demands head on. For example, some Phoenix Schools have implemented innovative Science, Art, and IB (International Baccalaureate) programs.

InnoWorks, a new science program available to underprivileged Phoenix Schools middle-school students, was implemented in February 2007 by Grace Hsieh, a junior at the University of Arizona. Hsieh was looking to start a peer mentor and tutoring program when she came across a website detailing the program InnoWorks, which had its beginnings at Duke University.

Phoenix Schools middle-schoolers take part in a free science camp organized and run entirely by UA undergraduates. Twenty-four students from six Phoenix Schools were selected for the camp. InnoWorks’ leaders hope that by exposing underprivileged Phoenix Schools students to college campuses and science research, more students will be inspired to study science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

"Immediately it was easy to recognize what a great program it was, in its philosophy and vision," Hsieh said.

Hsieh has gathered about $20,000 in donations to fund the program, recruited about 20 fellow students to work as mentors, and sought out campers by calling Phoenix Schools counselors and teachers.

Explorer Middle School recently received the Mayor's School of Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts Education. Integrating arts into their academic classes is one thing that makes this member of the Phoenix Schools unique.

Principal Marianne Bursi believes that the appreciation of art relates to all fields of study.

"We find students learn more by doing," said Bursi. "The brain remembers more with visuals rather than just looking at plain old text. The [students] discover [they have] many hidden talents because art is incorporated into all their academics."

Each quarter, seventh-graders are encouraged to take chorus, visual arts, world languages and applied technology courses. Once they are in eighth grade, these Phoenix Schools children can then choose which they prefer for the year

Phoenix Schools are beginning to offer children in Grades K-10 an opportunity to learn via the International Baccalaureate program. This is a teaching model used around the world that pushes students to become proficient in at least two languages, think critically and learn from a global perspective by studying other cultures.

Mesa Public Schools could soon become the first school district in Phoenix Schools, and one of only a handful nationwide, to offer an IB program to students from kindergarten through the end of high school.

Gregg Good, is the IB coordinator for one Phoenix Schools high school which began offering the program last year. Administrators are still determining the best way to test young Phoenix Schools elementary students in a "culturally neutral" way to decide which children will participate in the rigorous IB program for the 2007-2008 school year.

If it weren t for add we might not have the theory of relativity

Were you a question machine when you were a kid? How come dogs can poop outside, but you won't let me? Why do raspberries have seeds? How do you know for sure that Santa Claus is watching me every single day? Doesn't he have more important things to do?

If you were lucky, your parents made up some kind of answer, if they didn't know it already. But, more often than not, kids that ask a lot of questions are told to keep still. If you have ADD, this was probably you, and it probably made you feel weird because people just got so exasperated with all your questions.

I know I was just determined to figure out how things work--everything. My brain wouldn't rest until I knew why things are the way they are.

With many kids, ADD doesn't just go away when they grow up. So, ADD adults are still asking questions, wondering about everything from their job to their baby's development. The whole thing about that is that our questions make other people uncomfortable. When we ask a whole bunch of questions, it just throws them off track. But we see things from so many different angles! Yet, because there are so many more linear-thinkers than adults with ADD, we're the ones who feel out of place.

Why?

That's because most people just hate to ask questions at all. They feel stupid, and get embarrassed. When we're there asking tons of questions, it frustrates them and throws everything out of whack.

Yet, getting answers to questions that nobody else really thinks about can be very empowering. Not only are you able to spark new ideas that lead to bigger and better plans at the office, and you may get a million-dollar plan of your own. You need to take that idea and get started with it immediately! Right away, not sometime... Now.

So, what if it's not a million-dollar idea, after all? What if it kind of sucks? Oh, well. Finish what you started anyway. Never put the first thing away because you're already thinking about the second and third things that you want to work on.

Just don't do it! Finish your first idea, and maybe use parts of the 2nd and 3rd ideas that work with what you're already working on. You'll have a gazillion more ideas after these, so don't worry about losing just a couple. You really aren't losing them at all. You're using them to make your original project stronger.

Here's the thing: Never stop asking questions, even when the people around you are fidgeting and uncomfortable. Then, be sure to implement your great idea, even if you find out later that it sucks. Trial and error is what it's about, not trial and abandon.

Think about this: If it wasn't for Einstein's ADD, were would we be in the development of the theory of relativity?

Start a career in video game design

If you are thinking of what to do for a career and you have an interest in animation, then you should consider video game design. This is an industry that is booming at an incredible rate and shows no signs of slowing down. In the past twenty years, there have been incredible advances in the video game design industry and you could be a part of it.

In only a few decades, there have been barriers broken that could never have been dreamed of in the past. Video games are so realistic now that you feel as though you are actually in the game. You can play a racing game and feel as though you are in the Indy 500 or play a war game and get a good glimpse into what World War Two was really like. The possibilities are endless but people are needed to come up with these ideas and innovations.

There are a few things that are needed in order to have a successful career in video game design. First of all, you need to have an interest in video games. You will be able to use all of the knowledge you have gained from years of gaming to your advantage. It is quite difficult to find a video game that is one hundred percent original. Most games borrow tricks and tips from other games and incorporate them into their own.

Therefore, if you have an extensive knowledge of video games, you will be able to use these tricks in your favor. Another important factor is an interest in computers, specifically animation. Video games are all produced on computers, so you will need to have a firm understanding of programming and animation. So if you have an interest in video games and a basic knowledge of animation, then you are set to begin the path of becoming a video game designer.

The next step would be to capitalize on your pre-existent skills. This can be accomplished by enrolling in a course that deals with video game design. These courses will be able to take the skills that you currently have and turn them into talents. Talents that prospective employers will be pleased to see.

You will be able to learn about every aspect of video game design. This includes all of the animation, development and concept of video games. You will not only be given the skills to create a video game but also how to plan it out and make it interesting to the gamer. Since this market is so gigantic, you need to have a good idea if you want your game to sell. With a course in video game design, you will have the ability to create a game that will fly off the shelves.

A lot of people think that making a video game is strictly done on computers. However, this is only part true. A large portion of the development of the game is done in the mind. You need to have the ability to visualize the finished product in your head before even beginning to program it. These types of courses will be able to train your mind to work ahead of your body to achieve the best results.

Another advantage of video game design is that it is a market that is guaranteed to stay strong. People of all ages are interested in video games today and the numbers continue to grow. So if you have an interest in video games and some computer knowledge, take the steps towards making video game design your rewarding career.

Everything you need to know about plumbing courses

Plumbing courses are available at trade schools all over the UK and other parts of the globe. They are also available online as well. Plumbing is in high demand and commands high wages. Plumbing courses can be your path to financial and career success.

Plumbing is one of the most respected and most specialized set of skills in the building and construction services trades. Plumbers are essential and wear many hats. Plumbing courses teach them how to help make water run smoothly, keep toilets flushing correctly, wastewater correctly treated and pipes staying secure without leaks.

Plumbers can install or repair water heaters, fix frozen or burst or leaking pipes. Of course, plumbing courses will teach would-be plumbing specialists to install pipes and other fixtures in new homes under construction as well.

There are many parts of a new home the repair and servicing of which can only be accomplished by a properly trained and licensed plumber.

Online plumbing courses can pave the way, at times and places convenient to the student, for a lucrative and satisfying career in the plumbing trade.

One online school that we perused offered plumbing courses whose exams were all open book and open notes. The students learned their plumbing courses at their own pace and were able to graduate in as few as six months. Graduation after completing all the requisite plumbing courses provides the students with a diploma with national accreditation.

No prerequisites or related experience is required to enroll in this trade school. At that is needed to learn the plumbing trade, besides satisfactory passing of all plumbing courses, is the ability to use simple trade tools, satisfaction from a job working with your hands and the motivation to get out there and market yourself.

Plumbing courses at this school include soldering copper pipes, plumbing basics such as installation and leak repairs, faucet basics, valve repair and water supply systems.

Plumbing technology 101, the first course, outlines the basic of the plumbing trade. The goal of this first course is to teach students the basics of the trade or to familiarize homeowners with some do-it-yourself techniques.

Many of the issues addressed in this first of the plumbing courses are those that will come up nearly every day in a plumbers work life. These include the system that supplies a residential or commercial building with water, soldering, vents and drains, installation of plumbing related fixtures and repair of the same.

The specifics of the course include a look at basic plumbing safety tips and familiarization with the jargon and basic terms of the plumbing trade. Soldering is an important part of this plumbing course too.

After this lesson each student should be able to select the appropriate soldering materials, clean the metals to get them ready for soldering, prepare the joint and solder a tubing connection the proper and safe way.

Water service is part of this basic course materials and training. Students learn the layout of a home or commercial basement, the ins and outs of selecting the right materials and the proper location of the required equipment.

Students learn to install a drain, as well as a ventilation and waste system. They also learn about installing fixtures in these online plumbing courses.

5 creative ways to help pay for college

The cost of education is on the rise. States are spending less on higher education, forcing colleges and universities to pass the extra costs onto students. Tuition and fees have nearly doubled at some institutions, and there’s no relief in sight. That’s the bad news. The good news is that there are several ways to help allay the rising cost of college. Here they are, in no particular order.

Accelerate Your Degree

Essentially, accelerating your degree means cramming a semester’s worth of material into a six-or eight week session. Many schools are now offering these accelerated sessions, and while classes can be intense, the benefits are that they allow you to take classes more quickly and thereby move up your graduation date. By accelerating your degree, you spend less time in college and can start your career sooner, which saves you time and money. In addition to these accelerated sessions, you should also consider summer school or evening classes, which are often cheaper than regular classes and which also speed up the learning process.

Become a Transfer Student

One of the best kept secrets in higher education is that of transferring. The idea here is to earn as many credits as possible at a low-cost community college before transferring to a pricy, elite school prior to graduation. This way you can still get a diploma from a prestigious university but at a fraction of the price. Furthermore, because community colleges are less competitive, you will be a better candidate for scholarships and other financial aid. What’s more, by attending your local community college, you can also reduce room-and-board costs by bunking at your parents’ house.

Go Where You’re Wanted

Conventional wisdom says you should go to school you want. But if you’re trying to cut costs, maybe you should consider going to the schools that wants you. In other words, find the college or university that is dying to have you as a student, fire off an application, and then watch the discounts roll in. Star students get discounts on tuition as well as housing and other fees. The trick is to find the school that thinks you’re a star. Start by checking out the smaller, regional colleges in your area. Chances are you may be exactly the kind of student they’re looking for.

Apply For a Pell Grant

Every year, the U. S. Government provides millions of dollars’ worth of grants to help students finance their college education. A grant is an ideal way to help pay for college for two reasons: first, grants do not have to be paid back, and second, grants are awarded based on need. What this means is that depending on your financial need you can receive a federal grant or Pell Grant worth anywhere from $400 to $4000 dollars. Typically, Uncle Sam sends the money directly to your school of choice to apply directly to tuition. However, if your tuition is already paid for through scholarships or other financial aid, the money is dispersed directly to you to cover other expenses such as housing, books, and transportation. To apply for a Pell Grant all you need to do is fill-out a Free Application For Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, which you can do online at fafsa. ed. gov/. The application will take about an hour, but you will need your Social Security Number, driver's license, income tax return, bank statements, and investment records.

Never Give Up On Scholarships

Many students think you need a 4.0 GPA to land big scholarships. But that’s not always the case. Even with strictly academic scholarships, you have a fighting chance so long as your grades make the cutoff, which may be as low as 2.75. What have you got to lose? Furthermore, there are plenty of non-academic scholarships you can apply for, including scholarships for athletics, military service, community service, and leadership. Also, in addition to college or departmental scholarships, there are thousands of private organizations and religious organizations who also offer scholarships. And don’t forget about local or community-based awards. Although these scholarships are typically more modest, they are easier to win. What’s best is that you can apply for (and receive) multiple scholarships, which means if you don’t land a big, ultra-competitive, academic scholarship you can still get the same amount of money through a combination of smaller, less-competitive scholarships.

When it comes to paying for college, the important thing to remember is that education is an investment. And like the old adage says, you’ve got to spend money to make money. That being said, there are ways to curb the amount you’ll have to spend to get a quality education. You just have to be creative.