Thursday, November 8, 2012

Aid Resources Good Is News For Students

On March 30, President Barack Obama went down to Northern Virginia Community College to sign what many in the media were calling his "health bill." True, a giant portion of the bill revolved around the controversial insurance reform, but that wasn't all this monumental piece of legislation was about. It also had to do with education and both traditional and online college grants and financial aid possibilities will come into play.
If anyone paid attention, the actual title of the bill Obama signed was "The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act". The second half of that title was grossly ignored by most media pundits, but if it goes through as planned it will have an incredibly positive impact on the future of education as a whole, including online colleges.
Admittedly, a considerable amount of the education sections of the bill have to do with elementary and secondary schools. At the same time, who can deny that if this part of the education system isn't overhauled, the prospects of having primed students for graduate and post-graduate education becomes slim, if not none.
The key bit of legislation though revolves around student loans. Back in the day, when students applied for them, they got the money straight from the federal government. When the legislature that initially created student law systems was signed by then President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, students got their loans directly from the federal government, which also administered them.
Over time, the government felt it could cut costs by having banks administer the money for them. Over the last few years though, this plan backfired. The banks began to feel entitled to charge much higher interest rates and pocket the difference. This resulted in interest rates starting to escalate to as much as 19%, and coupled with the current economic recession, the number of defaults escalated accordingly.
One key aspect of the new Obama plan is it cuts out the banking middle men, again returning the student loan system completely back into the Board of Education's hands. Obama expects that not only will there be less defaults because the interest rates will be lowered, but the profits generated from these loans will be plowed back into increasing the Pell Grant and related financial aid programs.
Another aspect of this program is targeting a large portion of money towards community and online colleges. The reasoning for this is that these forms of schooling simply cost considerably less than the bigger schools and have smaller war chests than the Harvard's and MIT's of the world. If the community college has an online division, that's even better. What really matters is the school is an accredited Title IV institution.
"For a long time, our student loan system has worked for banks and financial institutions", Obama said that day. "Today, we're finally making our student loan system work for students and our families. But we're also doing something more. From the moment I was sworn into office, I've spoken about the urgent need for us to lay a new foundation for our economy and for our future...we can rightly say the foundation on which America's future will be built is stronger than it was one year ago."

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Get a $10,000 Scholarship For Your Education

There are a great number of women in this country who have the urge to go back to school and aren't confident if it is possible for them. These mothers, single moms or female parents that stay home with their children, stop and worry about how it is possible to do this. You can do it.
You are entitled to be educated and you could make it easy to go back to school, no matter your circumstances. It has never been simpler to return to college and finish the education you missed out on. before.
With the frantic, bustling lives numerous mothers lead at present, it's in many cases thought unimaginable to go back to school, sometimes it's due to strict finances or an absence of funds set aside for this purpose. It's totally possible for you to finish your education if you want to do so.
A college diploma or degree is helpful these days as our economy is in a bad way and plenty of jobs get lost each day. By finishing your education you will be in a better position to find a job.
If that is not your intent, finishing your education will boost your confidence and leave you with an insurance if you do want to look for a job eventually.
You can be assisted by Obama and his administration. They are giving $10,000 in scholarships to moms to return to college and finish their schooling. You will not need to concern yourself about the bills while you are learning as this money will cover it.
There is more good news if you don't believe you find the time or are too busy to go again to college. Even if you are studying from home on-line, you can still get a $10,000 grant.
The number of scholarships out there are limited and they will run out soon. The sooner you take action the better.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

You Can Get a College Education at Last

With the all new scholarships for women, you can go out and get a college education even if it was not possible before. The reasons could have been many including financial incapacity or obstacles in your personal life. If you skipped college, you probably have realized how much more money people with degrees earn.
As you've raised your children, worked, and kept busy over the years, you're faced with the reality that time has slipped right by you. It is not surprising that you have little to no funds for your dream of going to college and getting an education. Life is not fair. Some folks are fortunate enough to have financial support of their parents. Yet, some others have to work to pay for their college tuition. If you haven't been to college because of a shortage of cash, I have some wonderful news.
President Obama wants the mothers in the nation to get educated. Various scholarships have been instituted through private sponsorship to help women attain their dream of a college education. What this means for you, is that, if you're a woman (older than 18) living in the United States, you can apply for a scholarship of $10000 to help pay towards your college education. We all know the government does not make money like this available very often, so why not seize the opportunity now while it is still available to you? It's free to apply, takes a few minutes, and you have everything to gain but act now before it's gone.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Recession and Education

Every day brings news about more layoffs, companies shutting down and escalating levels of unemployment. It's no wonder that students and employees find the entire situation overwhelming. In today's market, traditional forms of employment are becoming tougher to come by and looking for that 'perfect' job may seem impossible. But all is not lost. There are still some industries that are going strong and some perhaps doing better than ever before. These are the careers that will lead the future of business and discovering them at a time like this is invaluable. The earlier you start planning for these specific careers, the safer your future will be once the economy has regained stability.
So how do you plan your education and choose a career that's right for you during a recession? If you want to recession-proof your career, focus on jobs that stay stable even when most people don't have disposable income to spend. For example, even though shopping and entertaining might be in a slump, people will still continue to get sick, pay taxes and use energy irrespective. The following are some of the careers that are expected to stay stable even during the current economic crisis.
Education - There is always a shortage of good teachers. Down turn of the economy or not, children will continue to go to school and many adults may resort to furthering their education after being laid off. Therefore, teachers will always be in-demand. Children will continue to go to school. Also, lots of unemployed adults may decide to further their education.
Healthcare - The healthcare industry remains unaffected no matter what the economic situation. More effective medication and longer life spans have also given rise to a whole new demographic of senior citizens that demand special health care services. Health care administration is also an information-driven career, which might prove especially appealing to those looking for a career change from information technology.
Auditing - In a recession, the demand for auditors and accountants are much greater as businesses and individuals monitor their expenses and books more carefully and do a lot more to receive greater tax deductions.
Energy and Utilities - While consumption of energy may reduce, it will never stop. This is the same for other utilities as well, so careers related to maintenance and utility administration is always a stable option.
Pharmaceuticals - As long as health care is in demand and doctors prescribe drugs, people are still going to take them. This means that a career in pharmaceuticals is a good choice.
Military - Joining the military has several advantages. All your living expenses are covered and your education may be subsidized as well. Since the military is always hiring, particularly during wartime, soldiers remain unaffected during a recession.
Security - Recession might lead to an increase in criminal activities so the need for security workers and the police force becomes greater.
Environmental Sciences - The trends towards eco-consciousness is always on the rise and choosing a career in environment-care-related industries is a good option.
Government - The government does not stop functioning even during a crisis. Working for the government is therefore an extremely lucrative choice.
International business and consultancy - During the crunch time of a recession, companies call in consultants to advise them on efficiency and optimizing resources.
Debt Management and collection - As unemployment rates increase and budgets tighten, many fall back on payments. Companies and individuals need to turn to debt management plans and collection agencies to recover their losses.
Multi-faceted careers - Try and rely on a secondary source of income for more security. Include investments and freelancing along with your regular job to decrease the odds of a crisis.
So, whether you are still in college and planning your career, just starting out, or are in between jobs, look for the following factors when choosing a recession proof job:
o Jobs that remain in high demand
o Careers that require specialized skills
o Businesses that provide goods and services regardless of the economic situation
o Companies that have the foundation to weather the downturn in financial cycles
If you have already graduated and have been laid off recently, another way to cope with recession is to consider a career shift. There can be no better time to create a new path for yourself and use this opportunity to switch to a different career path. Remember that no job is a hundred percent secure but as mentioned above there are still some industries where the demand is so great that finding another job would be very easy. This would be the best time then to go back to school and either complete your education or get a graduate degree. The key to future success lies in your hands and the time to make the correct choice is now.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Roth IRA For College Education of Your Children

Are you dealing with sleepless nights due to continuous worrying on how you can send your children into college? If you have a Roth IRA, consider your problem solved. This is because your Roth retirement plan can help you establish a better future for them, especially if you make use of the Roth IRA for college education of your offspring. This functional investment vehicle is a good way for you to open great possibilities for your retirement and even a better career ahead of your child.
The individual retirement plan is a purposeful retirement savings account for families who have middle compensation. You can be eligible to make contributions to a Roth IRA, if you are included in the outlined income bracket or limitations stipulated by the tax law. The tax structure of the IRA allows you to carry out contributions to your account tax-free, since your contributed funds came from your salary that are already taxed. The earnings your account will acquire are added in your funds as tax-free interest, dividends and capital gains. You can enjoy tax-free withdrawals or distributions if you have an account, which is active for at least five consecutive years and you're already 59 ½ years of age.
The Roth IRA for college expenses of your children provides a financial aid for you and your family. Not all parents who have Roth IRAs recognize this specific feature of their retirement investing account, though if you study and assess the key features and structures of the Roth retirement account, you will understand that some of its procedures, rules and guidelines are purposely custom made for education expenditures assistance of its contributors. One of the most significant features of a Roth IRA that pertains to college financing is that, it permits distributions of your funds anytime you need the money for education expenses.
Using your Roth IRA for the college education of your children has specific guidelines and rules that you should follow. If you utilize the Roth IRA for the expenditures of your eldest child's higher education, you are authorized to make distributions on the principal value of your account. The good news is, you will not in any way incur federal taxes and penalties from the Internal Revenue Service as well as the interest your contributions gained can be maintained and secured in your account until you become retired.
Generally, early distributions or withdrawals in an IRA account will obtain federal taxes, though if you use your contributed money for college expenses of your child, a specific stipulation of the Roth IRA grants you the privilege to steer clear of the ten percent penalty associated with early withdrawals of the Roth gains and earnings.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

News for Conflict Phobics

As a little girl I can remember the heart palpitations and sweat pouring out of me any time someone in my home became angry. I think it started when I was almost three years old. My parents had some kind of angry, shouting argument that resulted in my father leaving us. My mom, un-educated with three children under the age of five to support, fell completely apart. She had what proved to be her first "nervous breakdown". I can remember standing next to her trying desperately to get her to stop crying and take care of us kids. Anger, it seemed to me, had dire consequences.
From that point on I became the Rescuer in my family. It was my job to make sure that no one got too upset. Any hint of anger sent me into anxiety. As a result, I was the most favored child in our family. I was the peacemaker, the one capable of resolving any problems between siblings or other family members. I knew how to be cute and distract, or take all the blame to avoid someone being angry with me. It didn't matter what the cost was to me personally, as long as no one became too angry.
All of my friendships then, took on a shallow quality. When you go into relationships without daring to face any conflicts between you, then you are forced to behave in shallow ways with those you interact.
This especially included my romantic relationships. Any time there was a problem with a guy I was seeing, I simply swept it under the rug or broke up with him. If I were really crazy about the guy, I would overlook even major flaws.
Once I was married, every argument took on an intensity and sense of threat that went way beyond the current situation. It always resulted in my charging outside and walking away from the scene of the argument. It was too scary for me to stay in the room.
My girlfriends never saw me angry. I might speak up that I didn't want something a certain way, or that I would prefer we did something differently, but I certainly wouldn't challenge them or do anything that might start a real conflict.
Being a conflict phobic meant that I managed my world in such a way as to never have to deal with my or other people's anger, or even potential anger. I was perceived as an easygoing person.
The downside is that no one knew me. I hid my real self from everyone. Without even being consciously aware of it I never let anyone see the real me.
I now know that this is because underneath the people pleasing behavior was a sense that I was not good enough, that if they saw who I really was, they would reject me...walk out on me as my father had.
This is what underlies conflict phobia. We are terrified someone will reject us or even hurt us if we show our true self. We think that who we are is not going to measure up and we will be punished or rejected.
We fear that closeness will bring rejection, so we settle for a kind of limbo. We find ourselves locked into shallow distant relationships rather than risk discovering that we will be rejected.
Conflict phobia is really intimacy phobia. The roots of the word "intimacy" means literally, "in to me see". We don't' want anyone to see into us. We don't think that they will accept us and rather than risk that rejection, we avoid anything that will reveal who we are (i.e. conflict). We anxiously avoid any threat of conflict and anyone who expresses anger, is in our mind, dangerous. And, since conflict is unavoidable in life, we find ourselves locked into an underlying anxiety that never goes away.
The good news I promised? Well, the good news is that our fear is unfounded. Our fear is based on our child self's view of the world. We are capable of being seen and accepted for whom we are, in spite of how we may feel.
The other good news is that conflict is not a bad thing. It doesn't have to include anger and it doesn't have to include rejection. Conflict, in actuality is how we get to know someone, and how they get to know us.
It's only by letting other people know where we are, what we like, and what we don't like that anyone can know who we are. That means standing up and saying our truth.
It's important to know that by letting people know what feels good to us and what doesn't we are letting the other person know where they stand. Without that information they could be doing the opposite of what we want, without even knowing it! My husband was married for almost 20 years to a woman who never said what she really wanted. They rarely had conflict because she wouldn't say what she wanted and so he just made guesses. Apparently he guessed wrong because eventually she threw him out. I can't say that I'm sorry, after all I ended up with him, but it certainly seems a waste.
Yes, some times people won't like what you say or agree with you, but that really isn't bad news. I am certain that if I had been able to say what I felt about things with my ex-husband, I may not have ended up married to him in the first place. And yes, that would have been better for all of us.
That's the thing, when we don't tell our truth and we "go along" we find ourselves not being true to ourselves and eventually something has to give. In my case, it meant divorcing my husband of nine years. I personally think it would have been better if I had saved us all a lot of trouble and said what I thought from the beginning.
So there is the real good news, conflict phobics, conflict helps us express who we really are and keeps us out of bad situations. We are the only person in the world who can really know what is best for us and what feels good to us. If we don't risk telling those things to those who are closest to us, then we are bound to end up getting what we don't want.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Web Based Educational Opportunities

When listing "most-prized possessions," few people might first think of education. After all, it's not a possession in the sense of something you can hold and touch. However, delve a little deeper into it. Education makes you who you are. It's usually the reason for your interests and perhaps even your way of life. It opens doors to jobs and opportunities. It can improve your quality of life. Perhaps best of all, it's always with you and never has to be packed up and moved.
With its value in mind, it makes sense to try and ensure that you are always adding to your education: learn something new every day. For those times that we need more than what we can pick up in day-to-day life, we turn to schools or classes. Today one of the most convenient ways to do that is online. With a DSL, cable, or satellite broadband internet connection, it's possible to take classes online, enroll in degree programs, or just learn a little bit every day. The web can add value to your education.
Online classes are popular, especially for mid-career professionals or people trying to fulfill a few qualifications before a new job or grad school. They are easy to enroll in and can be done from anywhere. Someone with a mobile satellite internet connection could even take a class while riding the train to and from work every day. Perhaps your job is beginning to require certain computer skills that you never learned in school. Taking an online class is the perfect way to brush up your tech skills, while doing it in a technological way! Or for someone thinking of going back to school, an online class can be a way of firming up prerequisites and feeling prepared for the upcoming class load.
It's even possible to complete a full university degree online, from an accredited university! Online classes and seminars are packed with students from all over the world. That degree might be the deciding factor between candidates when applying for a job later on in life. As more and more people go to college, the importance of having that degree continues to rise. Even people who are told they can't get broadband access via cable or DSL can still use satellite internet and get the same connection speeds, a perfect solution for rural towns and communities. Of course, it's always important to do research before enrolling in a program. Make sure that it's not just a degree mill!
One of the great pleasures of the internet is surfing the web. We can learn new things every day reading news sites, technology blogs, and even ESPN.com. You can do some armchair traveling online, seeing what different parts of the world are like. Maintain and develop new interests through web groups. Maybe even submit some writing to an online magazine.
Taking advantage of online educational opportunities is a great way to boost your education. Using any high speed connection, be it DSL or satellite internet, you can tap into the biggest network of information that has ever existed.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Education 'Is Not Reaching Young People'

Large numbers of young people are getting into debt situations from which it is difficult to recover, the latest research suggests. Commentator iva, a firm which helps to organize individual voluntary arrangements, has released results from a survey which indicate that as many as one in four people aged between 18 and 24 are struggling under the weight of various debts. At the same time, as many as 1.2 million children currently still in the school system will find themselves in the same difficult debt cycle within the next five years.
The figures from the personal finance commentator suggest that in excess of one in five people aged between 18 and 24 will find themselves insolvent before they reach the age of 30. Rather than saving or opting for low rate loans, such groups may be building up significant debts on credit cards and uncompetitive products. However, they are not alone - according to iva.co.uk's figures some 16 per cent of the UK population have debts for which they cannot service monthly repayments and are in excess of 10,000 pounds. The firm is calling for updated financial education in schools to help pupils understand personal finance contracts which they buy into. For instance, improved education could help the demographic to better identify the best loans and the difference between low rate loans and other borrowing options.
Last week the company held a meeting between industry professionals such as personal finance specialists in order to discuss matters pertaining to keeping people out of debt. The Debt Education Debate focused on the fact that borrowing was now an accepted part of modern life but that consumers would be better informed to prevent them falling by the wayside. James Falla, managing director of debt consultancy Thomas Charles, told the assembled commentators: "We aren't going to be able to change a changing culture that has happened over the last 20 years in five minutes. We must embrace the fact that people are going to take credit, but then educate them."
Meanwhile Anne Kiem, a spokesperson for the ifs School of Finance, remarked: "A lot of people are turned off by jargon. There are a lot of people out there who are frightened of finance, either because they think it's very complicated, or because they think it's terribly dull and doesn't relate to them. We must educate young people about things that engage them, such as mobile phone tariffs." The organising body used the forum to unveil its new pamphlets which are designed to educate people about different kinds of debt.
The money news from iva.co.uk supports earlier research from Lloyds TSB, which established that young people in the UK are becoming increasingly concerned about debt. A survey conducted by the bank found that money worries were driving as many as a third of people due to have started at university in recent weeks to live at home to minimise their debts. While 80 per cent stated that they considered it an easy way to save money, around a quarter specifically noted that it should help them to keep debt under control.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Education For The Learning

I'm easily shocked at times. I open the newspaper, I read articles about child abuse, the mentally ill, the shortcomings in our education system, and I feel things along the lines of torment and anguish. But it doesn't stop there. It actually goes on, manifesting itself in a dozen minor ways. Maybe in a dozen major ways, if you're one who believes in the magnitude of advocacy, of standing up to make sure that your voice can be heard over all the loud chatter and backtalk.
For years, I've been investigating the atrocities that are taking place in our schools each and every day. I've been sending letters to our Presidents, our Senators, and our Congressman, pleading for them to be the change they so vehemently declare they are. But words are useless. We need Action. For what can mere words really do, when so many mentally-challenged students are struggling to keep up in an education system that is unapologetically incongruent to their ways of thinking and learning?
For the past 50 years, ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) has been increasing among our schoolchildren. In fact, 12 percent of today's school-aged children are affected by it, which is up from 3-5 percent in 1998. That can only mean that we are lacking in solutions to this problem. Or perhaps it means that we are not taking the time to implement these solutions.
When a child with ADHD is confined to a regular classroom, with no special guidance or attention, it's unbelievably troubling. Not only is it difficult for them to keep up, but the amount of mental frustration they experience is immeasurable. So many teachers are not equipped to handle these children. They don't understand the disorder, nor do they have the desire to. With this lack of empathy, they cause even more destruction in the children's lives, punishing them for falling asleep or not paying attention, when the children have no control over these things whatsoever.
To be punished as the result of a painful handicap is blatantly unfair to and disconcerting for the child. So many of us wonder why the drop-out rate is so high. We wonder why our kids are turning to drugs. Stealing. Killing. We think, in many cases, "kids will be kids," then we turn our backs and look the other way. We yell at them to do better, to make us proud one of these days, to stop playing so many video games. As if tossing out the old X-Box will focus their attention on the classroom.
In some cases, there are children who do lean too heavily on television and video games, pushing aside their homework with a shrug of their shoulders. This is something that parents have the ability to keep an eye on and control. However, students spend the majority of their time at school, and the classroom not only has a huge impact on their day-to-day lives, but also on the ways in which they will eventually function as adults in the so-called "real world." And if education cannot equip each and every one of them with something as basic as functionality, what is school really doing for our children?
You may wonder why this hits such a personal nerve with me. This is why: I have been blessed with eleven beautiful grandchildren. Two of them have been diagnosed with ADHD, two others with panic disorder and agoraphobia. The battle that they have to endure during each day of class breaks my heart. When they return from school, I see the relief on their faces, the gratitude of finally coming home and ducking away from the judgments of their teachers, and in some cases, even their fellow students. I also see the depression in their eyes. I ask them how their day was, and they reply that it was "okay," but I know that the matter goes much deeper - painfully deeper - than that.
Back in 2001, one of my grandsons suffered a mental breakdown in his middle school classroom. I took him to see a psychiatrist at the Child Guidance Center. We discovered that he was suffering from severe Depression and Phobic Anxiety. He was very unhappy in his new Mainstream Literature class and couldn't face the ongoing judgments and name-calling that his classmates were dishing out. He would come home from school despondent, refusing to eat. He would just crawl into bed and sleep until the next day. He started to wear a blanket over his head, refusing to take it off, fearful that he was ugly to everybody. (All the name-calling in school had lead him to this conclusion.) He even started having nightmares about being at school. And then there were the voices in his head; voices that spoke in loud, sharp tones, criticizing him and debilitating his sense of self. It was eating away at him. And me, as well.
I was determined to get him the help that he needed. I pleaded with the Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.) at school, telling them that the Mainstream Literature class was ruining my grandson's life. They heeded my words and removed him right away. This actually relieved a lot of his torment, but then all the Phobic Anxiety and Depression seeped right back into his life again, as forcefully as it had before.
Trips to the Psychiatrist became frequent.
Resperial and Paxil were prescribed to bring some sense of balance into my grandson's life. He ultimately had to be pulled out of school. I promised him that he would be home-schooled until he was successfully treated, which I assured him would be soon.
The most disheartening thing about this situation, aside from my grandson's mental condition, was the obvious lack of attention shown by the teachers and I.E.P. Team. When he transferred back to high school in California, the school was given all the proper materials to fully prepare themselves for my grandson's condition. I made sure to give them access to all his medical reports, which clearly noted his learning disabilities. I even made sure to enclose a letter from his previous teacher, who wrote of his difficulty in regular classes and his need for special attention. All of this obviously went "in one ear and out the other." Perhaps they didn't even bother to look at a single piece of documentation?
I wonder, of course, whether my grandson's condition wouldn't have worsened so rapidly if the teachers had given him the attention that he needed. Unfortunately, the disorders would still be there, but if they weren't exacerbated by all the neglect, it is likely that he would've been able to function at a higher capacity.
There are a handful of things that can be done so that children and their parents (and don't forget their grandparents) don't have to live with this gnawing frustration. The most obvious one is to create special classes for students with learning disabilities. These classes would be run by specially-trained teachers who would give them all the care and guidance that they need. Also, the classes would be smaller. The pace would be slower. The punishments would be a thing of the past. Children would actually have an opportunity to learn, and finally feel a sense of self-worth, a sense that somebody was giving them the time that they so desperately need.
To be sure, a huge budget is required to implement a plan of this nature. It's no small task. So let's talk baby-steps. Let's make sure that teachers don't receive their credentials unless they're armed with training that prepares them to teach learning-disabled children. Every time a student with A.D.H.D. comes into a classroom, let's see to it that the teachers are alerted to the special situation at hand. Maybe that way, kids like my grandson, who had a mental breakdown and was diagnosed with schizophrenia, won't feel ashamed and angry at themselves for not being able to learn in school.
Patience and understanding are important factors on the road to making these children feel centered. Teachers, principals, school boards - they all need to put one foot forward and make the choice to care and look out for each and every student that we entrust them with. And this does not simply apply to children with learning disabilities.
I remember reading a news article a while ago about a 13-year-old student, in Southern California, who ended up collapsing and dying on campus one day. Somebody called 911, and within five minutes, the paramedics were on the scene. Disturbingly enough, when they got there, they noticed dozens of students and school officials, standing around, not doing a single thing to help the girl. In fact, she was still facedown on the ground when they found her. Nobody made an effort to turn her over and revive her. Upon assessing the student, the two paramedics found that she had no pulse and was not breathing.
Now, I would like to believe that the entire student body's lack of participation in this unfortunate circumstance had to do with the fact that they were not acquainted with any life-saving techniques, which left them feeling unequipped to help her. Even if this is true, though, it alarms me that not one person stepped in to try and revive this girl, even without the proper knowledge. Sometimes care, concern, and fortitude can take the place of technique. Something as simple as human compassion can often yield major results.
I recall reading about another tragedy. This one happened back in 1999. After overexerting herself during a high school physical education class, a 14-year-old girl died from an asthma attack. The substitute teacher in charge denied her request for permission to stop running, even after her breathing became labored. The girl's friends noticed that her lips were turning purple. But the student did as she was told, and kept on running. A little while later, during her next class, she became so ill that she passed out, only to die after 20 minutes.
Apparently, the girl's family had provided the school with all the pertinent medical forms, which fully explained her breathing problems. They did everything right, yet still, their daughter was forced to run much longer than her lungs could possibly endure.
Her normal physical education teacher was aware of her problem and gave her the special attention that she needed, excusing her from class whenever she had any difficulty breathing. So why did the school not make the substitute aware of her condition?
On top of all this, even after the girl passed out, nobody in the classroom tried any CPR or life-saving techniques while awaiting the paramedics. CPR is a basic skill that our school officials should really emphasize. Shouldn't we feel confident and secure when we send our children off to school? Shouldn't we be allowed to go about our days, comforted by the fact that they are in good hands?
I also have three daughters with learning disabilities. Neglected in the classroom, they developed severe panic disorder. One was even diagnosed with agoraphobia. As a result of this, two of them were left unable to work or drive.
It's hard to put your child onto that bus every morning and have to worry about the potential negative encounters they will have to deal with throughout the day. In the beginning, when I didn't understand their disorders as much, I practiced politeness and passivity. I gently asked questions, trying to encourage the teachers and my children to meet each other halfway, not wanting to upset anybody in the process.
As I got more involved and came to learn more about their learning disabilities, I hit the ground running and never looked back. I attended all the school meetings and made certain that my voice was heard, loud and clear. I sent out letters every week, passionate letters, written to inspire immediacy and resourcefulness. I made time for my children and my grandchildren, always giving them the attention that they needed, knowing how important it was for them to feel wanted and safe. If they weren't feeling those things at school, I would see to it that they felt them at home. My late husband and I always made sure that they had everything they needed, and that they could express what was inside them and not have to worry about judgment.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Education and Credentials

Find Chinese medicine doctor programs in the United States and Canada. Chinese medicine doctors offer health and wellness services that are often used as an alternative or complementary medicine. In order to practice in the field, Chinese medicine doctors must have received adequate training and education to fulfill necessary requirements in becoming a professional practitioner. Preferably, qualified Chinese medicine doctors will have graduated from one of several accredited oriental medicine schools, and will have become certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) and licensed* in the state where they reside. *(Licensure depends on individual state requirements for practice.)
In addition to acupuncture, Chinese medicine doctors will often provide services in physical therapy (Tuina), shiatsu, nutritional advice, Chinese herbology, and other associated practices. Chinese medicine doctors in America must be either licensed or certified, and may be considered a primary care physician if they are licensed as acupuncture physicians. Common titles that are often noted for this profession, include D.O.M. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine), L.Ac.,C.Ac.,R.Ac., or O.M.D.
Generally speaking, Chinese medicine doctors, much like that of conventional medicine practitioners, have dedicated a fair amount of time and energy toward educational training in becoming a professional healthcare provider. Chinese medicine doctors will have attained much knowledge and essential skills in TCM theories (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and history. Other comprehensive education and preparation in becoming Chinese medicine doctors will include clinical and practical training in acupuncture points, needling techniques, herbal medicine, moxibustion, Qigong, Tai Chi, pathology, botanical medicine, Western medicine, physiology and anatomy.
In addition to ethical and business practices, Chinese medicine doctors are gaining lead way in modern America: for example, did you know that acupuncture (as a complementary medicine) has grown tremendously over the last two decades? According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM); an "estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults have used acupuncture." That's promising news for prospective Chinese medicine doctors. And for candidates that are working toward becoming Chinese medicine doctors, it is even more promising knowing that there are several Chinese medicine and acupuncture schools from which to choose.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Affiliate Marketing Tips

Selling to customers has changed shape - even in affiliate marketing. The hard sell doesn't work any more - now it's all about education and building relationships. Education can produce trust and the potential to build a relationship with your customer as opposed to being too hard core with the selling techniques.
Successful business depends on giving before you get - and the same goes with affiliate marketing. By educating your prospects you craft an opportunity to prove that you know what you are talking about and they receive the added value of finding out more about the niche that you are operating in. If you provide top quality material, then they will be seeking you out to find out more in the future. They'll also trust you - and you'll be able to sell more of your affiliate products to them.
It's not just about educating about the topic that you deal with, you also need to educate them on the products that you are selling. One way to do this is to offer a comparison on what your product does compared to the products of other companies. Provide a chart so that the comparison is easy to weigh up.
Another way to provide education in affiliate marketing is to develop an FAQ page. You can even save yourself time by doing this as you then won't need to answer questions sent via email. Keep in mind that people are lazy, if your prospects can find everything that they need easily, then you are less likely to lose them as they leave your site looking for an easier site to navigate and one that has all the answers easily available. The development of brochures can go a long way with education too. Put yourselves in the shoes of the consumer. You need to know a lot about a product before you feel comfortable enough to buy it - especially in these economic times, so ensure that your prospects know all that they need to and they'll be more likely to spend.
Have you ever been to an electronics store, and then you find yourself leaving empty handed as the sales people just didn't know enough about the products to be able to satisfy your thirst for knowledge? You end up going back home to the internet to read up on reviews on sites such as Amazon - because other buyers have got a clearer understanding on what your questions as a buyer might be.
When you produce the marketing material for your affiliate marketing activities, remember that you will also need to provide information on the downsides, in addition to the upsides. This will help to build trust and don't forget to ask for the sale! You've got to be savvy to be a success at affiliate marketing.
Other ways to educate your prospects are by sending them relevant and timely information when there has been a significant change in the industry. They will be able to clearly see that you are staying in the know - and that you are reliable as a source of information. You'll be seen as an expert - thus growing their opinion and respect of you.
Stay on top of the news and affairs by following others on social media and by setting Google alerts to send you emails when particular keywords are discovered by Google spiders.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Foreign Exchange Education

People who love to make money online for their financial future should definitely consider forex. Trading currencies is one of the most popular ways to make money using the Internet. However, having an excellent forex education is essential to making good money with the trade.
FX trading or foreign exchange trading is the practice of trading one currency for another to make profits. The currency market is a lucrative financial resource as long as you know how to trade successfully. For new investors, investing in education is the most important initial investment since it will determine whether you will fail or succeed in the endeavor. Luckily, trading forex can be learned through many free online resources.
Forex Platforms
Forex education is available for free at the websites of many online trading platforms. These sites provide essential information for newbies and experienced investors alike. It details what the trade is, how it works, and how one can make money with it. There are no sure ways to make money with forex, but with practice, due diligence, and a desire to learn the process of trading, one can make it as his or her full time income stream.
Luckily, these platforms also offer a nice demo account. This allows you to trade in real time without spending a dime. With the use of virtual money, you can assess whether you are trading the wrong way or the right way. Currency is always traded in pairs so it is best to keep yourself up-to-date with news regarding the currency market.
Paid Training Programs
Experts can teach you the basics and advanced skills you need to succeed with the trading of currency. Forex education from the experts is a good move as long as you have the financial capability to do so. Be careful of scammers though. Always make sure that the trainers are legitimate and are experts in the currency market. Experts can also show you how they do their trades and how they make money.
Ebooks and Training Videos
Ebooks and training videos can either be paid or free. To get the best education though, make sure that the information presented in these informational materials are up-to-date. If you buy an outdated material, you are most likely to be left behind in the gold rush. Finding quality forex education materials is essential to making money online with currency trades. You may also dig valuable information regarding these materials on FX forums and comments.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Start a Daycare With No Education

HOW TO START A DAYCARE - WITH ZERO EDUCATION
If you have ever wanted to know more about how to start a daycare but were worried you need tons of education to get up and running? Then this article is written for you!
Over the past few years, home based daycares and preschools have been on the rise. Since community childcares have been a staple for years, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that childcare can be very lucrative. With more parents than ever having to go back to work, they need somewhere to put their children. For entrepreneurial moms, learning how to start a daycare could pay your bills.
Unfortunately while many women consider how to start a daycare, then are often left with a sinking feeling that they can't do it. Why?
Because most of them think they need a college degree to start a daycare. This is NOT always true! In this article, we'll discuss how to start a daycare in your home even if you don't have any formal education. We'll also discuss how you can open a daycare without lots of upfront costs. Don't let the fear of the unknown stop you. Think about all the childcare in your neighborhood. Now it's your turn to stop giving them money and start making good money yourself!
THE GOOD NEWS
There are thousands upon thousands of mothers that run successful daycares or preschools in their home that do not have a formal educational background. Many of them figured out how to start a daycare without spending a fortune to get up and running.
THE REQUIREMENTS
  1. Without question the single most important thing you should possess is a genuine love for kids. Consider that you will be spending hours with these children and the parents will be looking to you to provide a quality education to their children. Having patience and a calm attitude if things get a little chaotic, is critical when working with children.
  2. Having previous experience with children is an important prerequisite. If you are a mother or have taken care of children in the past, you can draw from that experience to help you learn how to start a daycare. You should always exhibit patience and understanding with kids as you will be responsible for them. You constantly need to be showing your parents that their kids are in capable hands.
  3. Another important aspect in figuring out how to start a daycare is to pass your local city and state licensing. If you can pass this (which isn't really too hard!) then you are on your way to a fulfilling and potentially lucrative career. A quick way to find your local licensing guidelines is by searching "your city" + "childcare licensing" into Google.
  4. Fourth, if you have a structured daycare and will be teaching Pre-K skills you will need a quality curriculum which you can teach from. You should do your due diligence to find a quality one because when it comes to teaching children, do not automatically go with the cheapest one available. You can also visit your local your library and see if they have one you can use for free. In addition, many daycare or preschool teachers have found quality curriculum online.
  5. Finally, you should budget your finances and time accordingly. The last thing you want to do when starting your new daycare is to run out of operating costs. You also do not want to kill your personal life either by letting the daycare take too much of your time. Determine before you open your door for business how many hours you will be open for business each day. And stick to it! Also, determine how much money in operating expenses you will need each month. Factor this into what you charge for each child.
Although some states might require some education for a childcare license, but most do not. Mostly it just depends on where you live. So to find out what you need, first start by heading to your state's childcare licensing website. You might be able to use your local library (most people have totally forgotten about the local library!) to study and learn the things you need to pass the licensing.
DAYCARE ISN'T THE ONLY OPTION - TRY STARTING A PRESCHOOL
Up to this point you might have only considered how to start a daycare and nothing else, but did you know there is also another option - and perhaps a better option than daycare? Starting a preschool in many ways can be a better option because the requirements are almost identical to starting a daycare.
Many people think you must have a college degree to teach preschool. In most cases, you don't! Really all you need is to pass your state and city licensing requirements, obtain a quality curriculum, some training and follow the steps listed in this guide.
Did you realize that starting a preschool - not daycare - is actually a better model than a home daycare?
Anyone seeking information on how to start a daycare should really consider starting a preschool instead. With preschool, tens of thousands of women from all walks of life have seen the benefits of only working 5 hours per day instead of 12 hours a day that daycare demands.
Hopefully this article was a ray of hope for many who desire to own their own childcare business but think they must have a lot of formal education to do so. You can do it! As so many other women have. By learning all you need to know on how to start a daycare, you'll might just discover a new and rewarding career for you too!

Sunday, August 5, 2012

But Could Have

Here is a smattering of imaginary news headlines from across the nation's landscape of current events. Some might get you to crack a smile or bust out into a good belly laugh. Here is the odd thing, none of them were meant to be funny.
Alaska-
-Poor spellers - elect poor loser
-Old political machinery found frozen in place
Massachusetts-
-It's not a prank they still got Frank
California-
-Pot is Not
-Brown Still Around?
-Denair school officials ferret out dangerous flag boy on bike.
-Lawmakers consider renaming California - Mexico Department of Education
Washington DC-
-Pelosi not fired - just demoted
Nevada-
-Old Ironsides found rusting in Silver State
New York-
-Federal Court in Manhattan Brutally slaps Terrorist on the Wrist
Florida-
-okraM oibuR - big reversal in Florida
Arizona-
-Prez tells Brewer to quit silly lawmaking - Just draw a line and dare them to cross it
Hollywood-
-Massive broken sewer line remains un-repaired - Stench fills the nation
Barcelona-
-Quarter million welcome Pope - 200 or so just kiss it off
United Nations News-
-New Religious Freedom Laws Proposed, the "Just Shut up Resolution"
Indonesia-
-Thanks for the visit, next time just send us the 2 billion and stay home
-What Jobs?
Gay Agenda-
-Home Market Plunges - Lots of free closet space found
-Abortionists re-think - gay man declares he knew he was gay before he was born
-Sodomy laws - Rebuked, repealed, reversed and re-colored pink
News and Media-
-Mainstream media cries wolf over fox they claim is a hog
Candidates in 2012-
-Too many cooks apply to make broth
-Anyone who can survive that Tundra deserves to be President
Military-
-Graffiti found in base shower room "I didn't ask and you better not tell"
Celebrities-
-Sheen says it was only an experiment - closet time failed to change her preferences
Atheism-
-At least we were willing to die for what we don't believe in
Iran news clarified-
-You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him gather moss
First Lady News-
-Two daddies is OK but one Happy Meal should be a felony
Sharia Law-
-Women's rights groups disappear across America - Was it the Rapture?
Economy-
-Obama unveils plan; spend ourselves into a hole so deep our creditors can't find us
Israel-
-World decries dehumanizing home building on Israeli soil
China-
-China to U.S. - What happened to your fortune - cookie?
Civil Rights-
-White Honkies demand to be called Italian Americans, Polish Americans, French Americans, Spanish Americans, Chinese Americans, Dutch Americans, Japanese Americans...
Churches-
-Mega pastor says abundant times coming - prophets, pundits and economist are all boobs
Airport Security-
-Travelers OK with peek or pat policy as long as they don't start glowing in the dark
Senate Ethics-
-Rangel defense: Hey, I'm 80, leave me alone
Disclaimer: Not really. If I'm brought to task for any of these imaginary headlines I might use the Rangel defense but I've got a way to go until I'm 80. Considering how long the detainees in Guantanamo have waited for trials in the land of "a right to a speedy trial" I guess I won't worry.
As for trying to explain why these absurdities actually exist in this nation today I can only offer one possible explanation. Perhaps Forrest Gump's mother was right "stupid is as stupid does." No insult intended to all those Americans who have not lost their way; for the rest I guess I'll have to resort to the "if the shoe fits" defense.
If for some reason all these defenses fail I will then resort to hiring a lawyer who knows how to get me a venue in a Manhattan Federal Court. I hear they are real easy there.
Tongue in cheek makes fun of absurdities in a backdoor kind of way but describing these things such as they are also has a ring of truth and sadness too it. Yanking prayer out of our schools in the sixties seemed liked a small matter to some, but now we have actually come to the place where our own President skipped the National Day of Prayer for other things.
The headline that might be appropriate for this generation could be, "America enters the fast paced and confusing twenty first century - Hasn't got a prayer"
Do I really think a few prayers would change the headlines and make life a little less confusing? A more honest question would be; how have we been doing without prayers so far? My best advice is that we never let a single day pass without asking God to help our nation.