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Why and how to change school districts
Catherine Iste EducationWhile it was once commonplace to start in one classroom and stay there for 30 years, it is not any more. Whether it is a change in the cap allowing veteran teachers more credit for their experience, more charter schools within districts or the increasing competitiveness between and among struggling and successful school districts, teachers of all tenures are more mobile than ever. Here are a few tips on why and how it may be a good time to change districts.
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Is a college degree worth what it costs?
Patrick Gleeson EducationIt's long been held that a college education is worth what it costs. According to College Data, continuing tuition increases have brought the average cost of a Bachelor of Arts degree for the 2017-18 school year to a record high of $9,970 for in-state students attending a public college. Yearly tuition at private colleges for the same school year averages a whopping $34,740. Despite this, numerous online sources continue to affirm that getting a college degree is worth whatever it costs. In reality, better answers to the question may be "it depends," and "it’s complicated."
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An international student’s journey to success in hospitality
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementThe highlight of my recent trip to Thailand was my stay at a hotel managed by Araya Rojanapirom, a recent graduate from the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona. After graduating from high school in Thailand, Araya completed his first study-abroad experience in Europe, where he received a bachelor degree in hospitality management at Glion Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland with two five-month internships at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Bangkok and the Sheraton Hotel in Tianjin, China. Araya then found his way to Southern California and spent two more years studying in the Master of Science in Hospitality Management Program at Cal Poly Pomona.
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Fostering small learning communities in your school
Brian Stack EducationIn a recent National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) blog, 2018 New York State Assistant Principal of the Year Terry Adamec wrote about how she developed small learning communities (academies) at her school as a way to help all of her students find a place. These communities "encourage students to get involved in not only their daily education plan but extracurricular activities linked to the academy as well." According to Adamec, the small learning community model at her school resulted in three main benefits.
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Supporting vs. enabling your student
Sharona Sommer, CPC EducationWhat does it really mean to enable versus support your student? Generally speaking, enabling refers to the practice of over-helping, as in rescuing your student from uncomfortable or challenging situations without considering if they are able to handle it themselves. When you support your student, you provide space for them to learn from their mistakes and build the necessary coping skills to handle life’s twists and turns. It is your job as parents and caregivers to provide positive encouragement along the path to independence but not to pave the road for them before they get there.
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American education’s teacher crisis
Patrick Gleeson EducationAfter decades of largely ineffective attempts by American teachers to raise salaries and improve teaching conditions, American teachers have changed their ways. In 2018, they were organizing, striking, or simply leaving the profession. Until recently, polarized state governments have been unable or unwilling to address the problem. Parents are often unaware of the seriousness of the crisis, which could leave many American students without access to an effective education.
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Different visions dominate school safety debate
Michelle R. Matisons EducationThe school safety debate picked up steam almost one year ago on Valentine’s Day 2018. That day, a former student walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, school and fired on students and staff, killing 17 and injuring 17 more. This debate is ongoing and presents many possible solutions from diverse sectors. A recently released 400-page report details that many factors blended together to result in such a tragic outcome. Controversially, this report recommends that teachers and staff use Florida’s Guardian Program, allowing teachers to carry concealed weapons to protect students in the event of a mass shooting or similar threat.
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When to lesson plan for your music classes
Aileen Miracle EducationMy first few years of teaching, I sat down for hours at a time, on Saturday or Sunday, and planned all my lessons for the next week…by hand. Now, having kids at home, I really prefer for my weekends to be family time, and make sure to have time during the school day or right after the school day to write lessons. I realize that some music teachers have little to no planning during the day — as I’ve been there — so today, I’m writing a post with different options for when to lesson plan.
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Exploring digital literacy through websites in the ESL classroom
Sangeeta Johri EducationToday, because of digital literacy the world has turned into a small global village. Specifically, for ESL students, who are from different cultural backgrounds, communication becomes easy and convenient with digital literacy tools. To define digital literacy in terms of L2 learning, Meurant (2009) stated that digital literacy is "developing ability, confidence and readiness of non-native learners of English to use English as a second or foreign language to access, navigate, comprehend and contribute meaningfully to English language online resources and the online discourse of the online community."
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Labor unions ring in new year with lawsuits, strikes, and more
Michelle R. Matisons Civil & GovernmentIt’s 2019 and the year is so new that everyone wonders what it has in store. One thing is for certain. U.S. labor unions are starting off the new year swinging. Whether they are opposing GM plant closures, contesting the no pay provision of the current government shutdown, or planning a large urban teachers strike, 2019 has already started off as a year filled with strong labor voices amidst record-setting partisan rancor.
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