Education Short List

It may not be the most PC thing to say, but here it is. Not everyone was meant to go to college. Some people are really happy not going to school or being in a big corporation. There are also lots of people who are self-made who never receive a high formal education. Unfortunately those percentages are decreasing, as the escalating pressure to receive an a degree (and now even an advanced degree) rises.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, that as society puts more demands on people to go to college for a Bachelor’s Degree, and a Master’s (even a Ph.D.) that the tuition for this amazing experience and education continues to rise as well. So, as more individuals feel the societal pressure to attend a university, there is an insurmountable pile of debt attached to that. Even though a person who goes to college may be doing so to increase their chances of getting a better paying job, it can be counteracted by the tens of thousands of dollars spent on their education. I am a perfect example of this, as I went to school for seven years to not be in education but to have the 90,000 debt associated with wanting to be an educator.

Here is an article I found that discusses the rising molehill of debt new graduates have to pay. And really, what do they have to show for it?

http://www.oregonlive.com/education/index.ssf/2009/12/student_loan_debt_climbs_to_re.html

I Have A Dream

Do you sit in a drab cubicle day after day, while co-workers shoot up the corporate ladder? If you are stuck on the same rung and a promotion seems impossible, here are some possible reasons and what you can do to earn your own corner office.

1. You don’t dress for success
Although you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, what you wear at work does send a subconscious message to others. Jeans and sneakers, facial piercings, visible tattoos — these don’t say promote me. If you want to give the impression of power and authority, analyze what successful people in your office are wearing. Whatever their style, you will want to follow along to some degree because it makes you more approachable and creates a sense of camaraderie.

2. You do the bare minimum
Doing an okay job may be enough to remain employed, but it won’t help you earn a promotion. If you want to advance in your career, you will need to exceed your employer’s expectations, and you can’t do that by being the first person out the door at quitting time. It’s not to say that you have to work twelve hours a day to be noticed; but allow yourself to have flexibility to the hours you keep at work.

3. You aren’t visible enough
Here you have to demonstrate to the ‘higher-ups’ that you have leadership potential and drive. If a project that you’ve been working on has gone well, send a memo to the other team members (and your boss) praising the team’s successful efforts. Contribute more to meeting, don’t just sit there and doodle. Also, volunteer to be a part of other projects – but only if you can handle the additional workload. It doesn’t help to finally draw attention to yourself – when it is as the person who can’t finish their work.

4. You aren’t likeable
While the workplace isn’t a popularity contest, it is important to be friendly and interact well with others. don’t isolate yourself, it can be misconstrued as arrogant or condescending. Be professional, trustworthy, and positive. Being anything but could have an impact on your promotion potential.

5. Your work is sloppy
Whenever you have to do a write-up, send a letter or email, take the time to ensure that your work is grammatically correct. It sends the message that you didn’t care enough to proof your work before sending it out – which hurts your chances for a promotion. This is especially true, now that there is grammar check and spell check in nearly every application. It’s very important to pay attention to the little details.

6. You have the wrong focus
Instead of thinking that your boss “owes” you a promotion, consider how moving to a position with more responsibility will benefit the company. Convince your employer that your efforts and ideas with aide the company, as a whole, in achieving their goals.

All of these points are targeted directly at those that are hoping for a promotion; but they can be applied to other employment situations as well. For example, in this current economy, for people to keep their jobs they have to do more than the bare minimum and not complain about it. Also, it’s a good point to make sure that you are more visible – so when your organization is making cuts, that you aren’t one of those. As for having the wrong focus, this relates directly to improving your resume. Sprucing up your skills, and realizing what you are doing at work is a great way to align yourself for a promotion and to ensure that your goals are directly matched up with those of the company that you work for.

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Here are additional sources

moneysmartlife.com/how-to-get-the-promotion-you-deserve/

www.career-success-for-newbies.com/how-to-get-promoted.html

All too often articles and the news talk about how teachers aren’t getting the job done. Here, CNN has a Money article about jobs that don’t pay well enough for what the profession calls for. Are you surprised to know that teaching is on there? I wasn’t either.

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/pf/0910/gallery.stressful_jobs/15.html

Okay, so you’ve gone through the whole process and now you are about to start your first day of subbing. Here are some pointers and tips to get you through the first day, as well as the others, without a snag.

1. Show up early
a. Most schools ask that you be there 30 minutes prior to the start of school. From my experience, it would be wise to be there at least 45 minutes early. You will appreciate that extra time to get settled. You also don’t know what surprises could be waiting for you (aka, morning duty) that would take away from your prep time.

2. Eat lunch in the teachers’ lounge
a. Although it may sound overwhelming to go into the ‘teachers’ lounge; it’s a smart move for your career as a substitute teacher. Here you will learn more about the teacher and class of students you are working with, You can ask questions, seek advice or assistance; but most importantly is this. By making yourself know to other educators and instructors – you will have a greater likelihood of getting on those teachers preferred substitute pick list.
b. If you are subbing in a school you are familiar with (live near, have children that go to school there, etc) make sure to keep all conversation on a professional course. You don’t want to engage in gossip; you never know who you could be talking to or about. Plus, you don’t want to ruin your chances of being asked to come back to the school.
c. Play Meet and Greet with all staff and faculty that you meet along the way. Make your presence known on the campus; these could be your future co-workers; but at least, for today, they are your guidance to a successful day.

3. Notes for you, Notes for the Teacher
a. This is the biggest portion for me, as an educator. By leaving detailed notes of what you accomplished and what happened today – you are helping me to then be able to flow seamlessly into the next day. But when I don’t know how the previous day went, I spend more time the next day, before each class, playing catch up.
b. Be sure to also take detailed notes for yourself. Mention the students you liked or didn’t; what you liked about the classroom, things that you would take away from the day and put into your own room. Make notes of the school environment, other teachers, principal and school staff. These are all valuable points to note, especially if you plan on being a teacher in the future.
c. On a side note, I spent 4 years substituting. So these pointers come from solid experience.

4. Remember It’s Not Your Room
a. Act like a guest in your best friend’s parent’s house. It may not be your taste, but it’s still someone’s home right now. Be respectful of the way it is laid out and set up. Realize too, that the teacher isn’t always aware of what you, as a new person, need in the room. Take your time to find books and paper; ask the students for assistance – or another teacher.

5. Bring some time filler activities
a. Find time during the day to play with the students, or offer free time
b. It’s been my experience that having a few extra activities that can fill empty time are always a plus. These activities have been successful for me. Play around the world with math flashcards, give extra recess, have quiet reading time, for younger kids read them a story, have them clean up the room for candy.
c. Teachers know that some lesson can run fast or be longer than they anticipated. But it’s easier for the classroom teacher to deal with that than it is for a substitute. For that reason, it’s good to have some time fillers.
d. You could use the ‘Caterpillar Game’ http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Caterpillar-Word-Game

6. Know Your Audience
a. These students sitting before you are excited to have you there; skeptical of what you are going to make the day like, and hoping to get away with things that their regular teacher wouldn’t let them.
b. Now to the reason why you are there – the students. Think back to when you were in school and how thrilled you were to have a substitute teacher. These students sitting in front of you are thinking exactly the same thing. Furthermore, these students’ main teacher knows exactly what their students are thinking too.
c. Keep in mind that you are there to teach, not to dictate. Don’t take an iron first approach; but don’t walk in wanting to be their best friend. If you want to make a career in education, or subbing, know that teacher recommendations – not student ones – are the ones that get you back in the classroom.

7. Bring Your Own Lunch
a. Kind of seems like a ‘duh’ but you would be surprised at how many people waste their lunch town scrambling to find something to eat. By already having your lunch, it allows to you eat and relax with the other educators. Plus you will have time to get prepared for the on-goings in the afternoon.

Remember to relax and breathe. It’s almost a guarantee that there will be a surprise the first day; and it’s almost as likely that no one but you will notice it. I really believe that subbing is a fantastic way to get into education. I learned more from my days as a sub on how to be a teacher than I did through the whole of my graduate school program.

Another blog that I like that discusses how to become a teacher and substitute teaching is Road to Teaching, http://roadtoteaching.com/