Teacher Tenure Under Scrutiny

Teacher Tenure Under Scrutiny When reports surfaced that the American education system was lagging behind that of other countries, people began pointing fingers and blaming different practices. Now, politicians are blaming teacher tenure, claiming it is one of the reasons for Americas subpar educational system, according to an article the New York Times. This action was motivated by President Barack Obamas call to reward effective teaching, which was restated in this years State of the Union Address. Some Republican politicians have interpreted this as removing the ineffective teachers or removing teacher tenure. Governors in Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Nevada and New Jersey have called for the complete removal of teacher tenure, claiming it will help improve the overall quality of public education. This legislation could pass because many schools are experiencing tighter budgets, which has decreased the authority of teachers unions. Its practically impossible to remove an underperforming teacher under the system we have now, said Gov. Brian Sandoval of Nevada. Nevada has the lowest high school graduation rate in the nation. Sandoval told the New York Times that eliminating teacher tenure would help schools select and use the best teachers. Districts could then remove teachers based on competence, not seniority, claims Sandoval. Others believe that districts should invest more in the hiring process, ensuring that every teacher is competent. Why arent governors standing up and saying, In our state, well devise a system where nobody will ever get into a classroom who isnt competent? Dennis Van Roekel, president of the National Education Association, told the New York Times. Instead they are saying, Lets make it easy to fire teachers. Thats the wrong goal. The current tenure system is not bullet-proof for teachers. Public school teachers usually get tenured after two or three years of teaching and can still be removed if deemed ineffective. However, once teachers are tenured they have a right to a due-process hearing before they can be removed. This process can be time consuming and expensive; so many politicians are calling to end the system, giving districts freedom to remove ineffective teachers without a due-process hearing. Many organizations have been performing studies, attempting to link students achievement directly to teachers performance. These organizations believe that teachers should be compensated based on their students achievements. Politicians are now taking this notion a step further, claiming that if strong student achievements can give teachers a raise, then poor student achievements should be enough to remove a teacher, even if tenured. Many of these politicians are forming their arguments around a student-first mentality, claiming that public school systems need to provide students with the best possible education and resources, rather than catering to teachers wants. Teachers unions are expressing strong concerns, claiming that this system could be abused. They are concerned that if tenure is removed then districts that are facing drastic budget cuts could simply remove expensive teachers with high salaries.

How to Deal With Toxic Coworkers - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / How to Deal With Toxic Coworkers - Introvert Whisperer How to Deal With Toxic Coworkers Very few people make it to retirement without encountering at least a few truly toxic coworkers. There’s no shortage of advice on dealing with people like this. Unfortunately, much of that advice seems to be designed for people who excel at direct confrontation. Many introverts don’t fall into this category. In addition to this, the advice often misses out on the behaviors that can be specifically toxic for introverts. Dealing with toxic coworkers can be especially overwhelming. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to identify toxic behavior and deal with it productively. Learn to Recognize Toxic Behavior Toxic behavior is ongoing behavior that undermines productivity, compromises safety and ethics, or creates hostile work conditions. These go beyond someone being a bit lazy or a bit of jerk. Dealing with toxic employees can truly take a toll. So, be on the lookout for the following behaviors. Aggression And Bullying Aggression and bullying can be expressed in physical ways, but they aren’t limited to that. Workplace bullies often use underhanded techniques as means to make their behavior seem innocent. This might include couching insults in humorous or supposedly helpful remarks. Favoritism It’s easy to assume that only those in leadership positions can use favoritism to create a toxic work environment. This isn’t true. Toxic people can form cliques, work cooperatively with some while refusing to do so with others, for example. Credit Stealing These are coworkers who are happy to seek advice and assistance on projects or who will even suggest that you to take the lead. Unfortunately, when the work is finished they manage to ensure that only their name is on the final product. Gossipping Gossip exists, and most people engage it on some level. However, when gossipping means starting false rumors, pitting people against each other, or otherwise actively sabotaging the target’s ability to fit in and succeed in the workplace is toxic behavior. Refusal to Communicate or Setting Unclear Expectations Some toxic coworkers will engage in tactics such as leaving you out of important communications. They might also deliberately send unclear expectations or ignore your requests for clarification. This leaves you unable to do your job effectively. Now that you know what toxic behavior looks like, you can take action to deal with it. Avoid Devil’s Advocating to Yourself   Everyone deserves to work in a place that is safe and conducive to them doing their best work. Everyone is also obligated to behave in ways that contribute to a healthy and productive workplace. When people cannot or will not do so, they are toxic. It’s their job to figure out and address their behavior. Don’t take on their task by becoming a devil’s advocate. For example, if Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!  Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

What are Integers

What are Integers Integers are also known as counting numbers and they include not only positive counting numbers, but also negative counting numbers along with 0. Integers are family of numbers where fractional parts or decimal parts of numbers are not included. This implies that integers are numbers which are complete within themselves only and they can have positive sign or a negative sign in front of them. Examples of integers are 0, -10, 15, 4, 20, -6, -100, 24, -19, 2, -3 etc. Example 1: Are the numbers in the given numerical expression, 2 3 + 5 + 7 10 integers? Calculate the value of the numerical expression. Given numerical expression: 2 3 + 5 + 7 10 The numbers in the above given expression consist of positive and negative signs and the expression does not contain any fractions or decimals. Hence yes, the given numbers are all integers! In order to calculate the value of the given expression, we calculate from left to right. This gives, 2 3 + 5 + 7 10 = 1 Example 2: Are the numbers in the given numerical expression, (3* 4) + (2* 1) (6* 3) integers? Calculate the value of the numerical expression. Given numerical expression: (3* 4) + (2* 1) (6* 3) Yes, the given numbers are all integers since they are no fractions or decimals included. According to the order of operations, first calculate the numbers inside the parenthesis, then multiply and then later add/subtract. This gives, (3* 4) + (2* 1) (6* 3) = 12 + 2 18= 14- 18= -4 is the answer!

In-Home Guitar Lessons The Easiest Way to Learn Guitar

In-Home Guitar Lessons The Easiest Way to Learn Guitar Megan L. Excited to begin your guitar lessons? Guitar teacher  Sean L.  shares some helpful hints on preparing for your guitar teacher to come to your home to teach Preparing for your guitar lessons is just as important as the lesson itself, and having an  adequate in-home lesson space is an integral part of preparing for your private instruction.  Without a proper space your lessons will suffer, and you will not get the most out of your money. Here are three things to think about to better prepare the  perfect base of operations for you and your teacher to share. 1. Find Your Space Finding that perfect place to hold your lessons can sometimes be overwhelming task; there are  many factors that come into play when looking for somewhere that best fits your needs. The  three most important are: 1. Noise Will this area be too loud, or will you be too loud for this area? Noises can be  distracting so avoid areas where volume would be a problem. Also, you dont want to disturb  neighbors or other people who share your living space. If noise is a problem everywhere in the  house, try to let everyone know your lesson time so they can work around it. The acoustics of  your spot should also be taken into account. This means stay away from places with an echo,  such as stairwells and wine cellars. 2. Foot Traffic You dont want your lesson to get consistently interrupted by roommates/family, so find  a place that can remain undisturbed for the entity of your lesson. I tend to use my living room,  and I let my roommates know my teaching schedule, this leaves my lessons uninterrupted. 3. Comfort There should be enough room for you and your instructor to sit comfortably, along with  fitting all of your equipment. This means closets should probably be avoided. Along with looking  for somewhere that has an adequate amount of space, try to find somewhere that is not too  humid, as places like basements tend to be harsh on strings and equipment. Once youve chosen your space, keep it neat! Nobody wants to see last weeks gym socks when they are trying to learn or teach guitar.  Aside from gym socks, you should also clean out some clutter from your chosen spot. This will  help create a more welcoming area for you and your instructor. 2. Prepare Your Equipment Think of the following questions as an equipment checklist: Do you have a music stand?  You may need one for your lessons as well as practicing. A music stand is necessary for  reading tab, chord charts, and sheet music. Most teachers will give you handouts every lesson. Is your instructor willing to bring an amp, or do you need to have a second for your  teacher?  A working amp is vital for electric guitar lessons; for yourself, and your instructor. Also make  sure your amp has distortion if that applies to your lessons. Are all your cables working?  Always makes sure all your equipment works. Cables break often so always double check How will you access backing tracks and music?  A phone, tablet, or computer with Internet access works best. You may also need a pair of  speakers, because the speakers on your device may not be sufficient. Is your guitar in good shape?  You need to check if your guitars intonation and action is correct. The intonation will affect  how in-tune your guitar sounds, and if the action is bad your guitar could be too difficult to play or there could be fret buzz. For more information on this topic ask your instructor, or  visit this article. You will also need to tune your guitar before your lesson, as tuning shouldnt take  away from valuable lesson time. Megan L. explains all the ways to tune your guitar in this blog post.  Lastly you may need to change your strings if they are old. Old strings can affect how well  your guitar stays in in tune. Noaa R. explains how to change strings here. Also, ask your instructor what sort of equipment he or she requires for your lesson. Lastly,  always check to see if your equipment works before your lesson. 3. Prepare Yourself Another important part of getting ready for your lesson is preparing your mind and body.  This means taking time throughout the week to practice and learn the materials your instructor has given you. You will also need to be prepared to receive constructive criticism  during your lessons. Criticism is an important part of learning guitar. If you follow these simple steps, you and your instructor will have a much more  enjoyable time. A well prepared student leads to more productive lessons. Also dont forget to  practice, and inform your household when your lesson is scheduled so they can work around it. In-home guitar lessons are the easiest way to learn guitar!  Still looking for a guitar teacher? TakeLessons teachers are available to teach in-home, in-studio, and online lessons. Find a guitar teacher to fit in your schedule today! Sean L. teaches acoustic guitar, guitar  and music theory  in Methuen, MA.  He has received many awards and certifications in the music world is currently working towards his Associates In Music from  NECC.  Sean has been teaching students since April 2014.  Learn more about Sean L. here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by Allan

How to Increase SAT Scores Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace

How to Increase SAT Scores Online SAT Prep Online Tutoring Tutorpace SAT test is a popular test taken by students throughout the world to get into good colleges and universities in the United States. SAT is taken by high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. When applying to a college, students generally send in the admission application along with the high school transcripts and other necessary documents. It has been observed that most colleges and universities also prefer the SAT scores of the students as it directly helps them analyze the students academic knowledge. SAT scores also help students to showcase their achievement as it reflects their capability to handle college level courses once admitted into the college. SAT exam is designed such that it prepares students very strongly in all the basic and important concepts learnt until high school. SAT test contains of 3 main sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing. In order to get good scores in these sections, students must improve their vocabulary, logical and writing skills. In Critical reading section, students should first be able to understand the given comprehension passage and then must observe the sentence structure, clauses, appropriate punctuations used in the passage etc. These little details are the parts on which questions are majorly asked and students must practice it accordingly. For math section, it can be helpful if students prepare a formula sheet from all the important topics so that it becomes easier for them to recognize the given question. Students should focus on writing good meaningful essays and hence must practice them accordingly.

What is it Like to Attend Pepperdine University

What is it Like to Attend Pepperdine University The tutors behind Varsity Tutors are not just here to teach theyre sharing their college experiences as well. Alissa is a Denver tutor specializing in several subjects including SAT prep tutoring, ACT prep tutoring, GRE prep tutoring, Grammar Mechanics tutoring, and more. She graduated from Pepperdine University in 2008 with a Bachelors degree in Creative Writing. See what she had to say about her alma mater: VT: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. How urban or safe is the campus? Are there buses or do you need a car/bike? Alissa: Pepperdine is the epitome of beauty. The campus sits right on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, and though Ive traveled quite a bit, Ive still never found a beauty quite like the view from the library windows. Pepperdine is small and compact, and the fact that it sits on the side of a mountain means that the entire campus is filled with stairs and hills. There is a campus shuttle that loops around the ring road and provides access to the majority of campus buildings, including on-campus dorms and apartments, but Malibu is relatively isolated from surrounding cities, including LA. If you hope to spend time in other parts of Los Angeles, you would want to have your own vehicle, or make friends with someone who owns one! One of the advantages of the isolation of Malibu there is almost zero crime recorded in the area. The Pepperdine campus is closed and gated, and I often ran on the track at midnight without a concern for my safety. The greatest threat on the Pepperdine campu s? Wildfires coming through the canyon. VT: How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Alissa: Pepperdines size and hiring practices translate into a teaching faculty with a large amount of practical application of their craft, and a willingness to help, guide, and engage unparalleled in higher education institutions. The schools emphasis on service learning often places students and professors in environments outside of the classroom together and allows them the chance to get to know each other in a deeper, more meaningful way. There wasnt a single professor in my time at Pepperdine that didnt have clear office hours and made themselves available to students for additional help or to talk through class concepts or expectations. VT: How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Alissa: Pepperdine dorms, aside from the fantastic view, are extremely comfortable for student housing. Rather than giant shared bathrooms and mindless roommate matching, freshman dorms are structured in suites, with four rooms sharing a common area and a bathroom, with two individuals per room. Roommates are matched using the same system as eHarmony, which was developed by a Pepperdine alum, and has a 99% satisfaction rating with the matches it produces. Each dorm has a Resident Advisor and a Spiritual Life Advisor that live in the dorm as well, and RAs often plan social activities, parties, and volunteer projects with other dorms to facilitate socializing. The dorms are all lined up in a row and close, and Pepperdines size means that you know (at least by face or name) the majority of people in your class, so its easy to meet up with friends. All students in the dorms have a meal plan, with one main cafeteria and a fewsmaller options. The food is delicious and provides options at s everal stations. All freshmen are required to live in the dorms all other years have the option of living in on-campus apartments or finding their own housing. VT: Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? What did you study and why? Did the university do a good job supporting your particular area of study? Alissa: The most common majors at Pepperdine are Business and Communications. I studied Creative Writing and Philosophy, as I thought I wanted to go in to a career in publishing. I loved my Creative Writing courses, though with it being a smaller major, there werent a lot of internships or field-related opportunities like I might have had had I attended a university in New York or Chicago. That said, being a Creative Writing major in Malibu has certain unique advantages, including an emphasis in writing for film or television and direct access to the major studios and talent in LA. VT: How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Alissa: Pepperdines size and the nature of the school means you dont have a choice but to make friends your freshman year! Its extremely easy, beginning with New Student Orientation week, and moving into your first year and beyond. Pepperdine makes every effort to create a sense of community in its student body, with numerous student groups and organizations and a Volunteer Center devoted to year-long and short-term community service initiatives. Over 60% of the student body is Greek. There are no houses (as they are not allowed in Malibu), but sororities and fraternities play a major role in the environment of the campus, leading spirit, sport and student engagement activities, and making up the majority of the student leadership of the school. I myself was a part of a sorority, and now consider a number of my sisters my closest friends. My best memories of Pepperdine, of which there are many, are of my time with my sorority. VT: How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Do many reputable companies recruit on campus? Alissa: The Career Center provides as many opportunities as one is willing to ask for and take advantage of. Theyre extremely helpful in assisting you in deciding on a career path and the steps youll take to get where youd like to go. There is a distinct effort to engage alumni, who are a powerful base of support and guidance, with the current student population. The Pepperdine graduate Business program and law school are well-known, and often provide opportunities to undergraduate majors that other schools wouldnt be able to offer. VT: How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Are they over-crowded, easily available, spacious? Alissa: The library is extremely comfortable, and has views that make it difficult to study! Its relatively accessible, but can get crowded around finals time. There are plenty of other areas to study on campus, including the dorm common areas, which often host study groups for certain general education classes in which a large number of freshmen are enrolled. VT: Describe the surrounding town. What kinds of outside establishments / things to do are there that make it fun, boring, or somewhere in?between? To what extent do students go to the downtown area of the city versus staying near campus? Alissa: Most Pepperdine students stay relatively close to campus, as Santa Monica and LA arent easily accessible. They do, however, head out on the weekends or for big events, and its a relatively easy drive (30 minutes or so) on one of the most beautiful highways in the world to one of the greatest cities in America. There are plenty of opportunities in the arts, sports, and beyond in LA. Closer in in Malibu or through the canyon in Thousand Oaks, there are numerous award-winning restaurants, a movie theater, parks, and beaches. The majority of students spend their time surfing, paddle-boarding, sailing, playing Frisbee or tanning on the beach, hiking, or bonfiring. VT: How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Alissa: The student body is small, between 3,000 and 4,000 undergraduates. This means that class sizes are kept small (the majority of classes are kept under 20 students) and you have focused attention from professors. Its the perfect environment for someone who enjoys engaging in discussions and taking full advantage of what they pay in tuition. Its probably not the right school for someone who wants to sit in the back of a large lecture hall and doze. Pepperdine only has one large lecture hall, and even then, professors are known to play games with the crowd! VT: Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Alissa: I particularly loved my Logic class. That may seem like a ridiculous class to enjoy, but the professor made it for me. He taught philosophy with passion and with relevance, and I loved the reason, the order, and the thought in it all. That professor fought hard for me to be granted a Philosophy major status and I came extremely close. He taught me my love for philosophy, which led me to eventually earn a Masters degree in it from The University of Chicago. He retired the same year that I graduated Pepperdine, but he remains my mentor and friend even today. Check out Alissas tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Important Equipment for Learning Violin

Important Equipment for Learning Violin Essential Equipment for Anyone Taking Violin Lessons ChaptersThe Basics for Learning ViolinStaying Comfortable During Violin LessonsUseful Equipment for Practicing Your ViolinCaring for Your ViolinFor complete newbies to the wonderful world of music lessons, knowing exactly what equipment is necessary for learning how to play violin can be tricky.If you’re about to start learning the violin, there are many other items you need other than the instrument itself!Getting a suitable violin is important, but you’ll also need to learn about how to properly look after it.You’ll also need to think about practicing the violin in between your lessons. Practice can be made unnecessarily difficult if you don’t invest in proper equipment such as a good music stand and a metronome â€" and being well-equipped will save you time and energy, allowing you to get more out of your practice.Learning a musical instrument isn’t just about learning how to read music and make a pleasant sound; it’s about learning to channel your musical energy throu gh your instrument, and if you’re going to achieve this, you need to be comfortable â€" and there is equipment that can help you with this!So, if you’re an aspiring musician, here is Superprof’s guide to kitting yourself out before you learn to play the violin.official ABRSM exam pieces and scores, from which you will choose your exam pieces.In addition to any examination material, you can also get hold of other violin music you might enjoy playing. Music shops have music for violinists of all abilities which is often published according to genre or style. For instance, you can find collections of movie hits or even specific franchises such as Disney â€" and they almost always come with a CD accompaniment, so you can find out what it feels like to play in an orchestra!If you're looking to expand your repertoire, you can always download violin sheet music  for printing from the internet, too. So, if you're bored of perfecting your rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, or yo u'd like to move on from your violin concerto, there are plenty more pieces of violin parts available!Doing this will save you a bit of time and money, and any practice is good practice!PencilIf you’re a complete beginner violin player, the importance of the humble pencil might surprise you.Whether it’s used in private practice sessions, or symphony orchestra rehearsals, keeping a pencil in your violin case is a MUST for any musician.There are three main reasons for this:You can use it to mark your music and highlight things to remember while you’re playing, such as accidentals and dynamic markings.In orchestrala and rehearsals, the conductor will often instruct players to mark certain features in their parts. Doing this ensures that they ensemble sounds cohesive and realised the conductor’s vision of the piece.Pencil markings on sheet music can be erased, unlike ink. Using pen on music is a big no-no for musicians, especially in group rehearsals.As your sense of musicianshi p develops, so too does your appreciation of the simple graphite pencil.Violin practice muteAs pleasant as the sound of a violin is, for those living with violinists, it can become irritating after a while.Thankfully, using a practice mute can help with this!Mutes fit to the bridge of the violin ¦ source: Visualhunt - Refracted Momentsâ„¢Practice mutes fit to the bridge of the violin and quieten the instrument down by dampening the vibrations of the strings, allowing players to practice without disturbing anyone.Caring for Your ViolinProper care and maintenance of your musical instrument is vital for ensuring that it sounds at its best and is not at risk of breaking.The most regular act of care is wiping away excess rosin from the strings and body of the violin following each practice session or rehearsal. You should use a dry cloth to do this.Wiping the dust from your violin is a simple and easy way to prevent the build-up of rosin which may affect the quality of the sound produce d by the violin.It’s also recommended that students replace their violin’s strings every year.Violin strings can be bought from music shops, but if you’re not confident enough to do this yourself, your strings can be changed in music shops for a small fee.Replacing your violin’s strings will ensure that your instrument retains a bright and warm sound.The best thing you can do for your instrument is to get it serviced.Servicing instruments is very similar to servicing cars, where all of the components are thoroughly checked and repaired to ensure that the instrument is fulfilling its potential.Violin servicing often takes place at specialist music shops for stringed instruments, however, instruments can also be sent to experts via music shops if they don’t have the necessary expertise to deal with instruments.Taking good care of your instrument is an incredibly important part of being a responsible musician, and if you look after your violin, you’ll be rewarded with a war m and satisfying sound.While everything of course has its cost, using apps instead of buying a metronome or instrument tuner, or looking online for free sheet music, can help you save money - just as there are ways to save on your violin lessons, too.Now let Superprof help you find the best violin tuition...

Summer Camp with a Tech Twist

Summer Camp with a Tech Twist Digital Summer Camp - Schools Day hosted by TechMix, took place last week on the 12th  of July. For those of you not familiar: Digital Summer Camp was designed for tech companies to showcase their latest digital learning technologies, hottest gadgets, digital innovations and projects to the participating school students and teachers. Students enjoyed a range of  activities  -  from building robots to hacking the web - beware @pentagon. The Department for Education came to hear presentations from some fascinating EdTech at a PitchFest hosted by Tutorfair's very own… …Edd Stockwell.  Manga High, Night Zookeeper, Eduvee, Zondle, PoraOra  and Show My Homework were invited to present their innovations and ideas on technology in support of learning to the DfE judges. Edd Stockwell said, “The Department for Education were really impressed with all the companies who presented.   They provided immediate feedforward and are holding follow-up calls with all the entrepreneurs to see what else they can do to help.   Tutorfair is delighted to be part of and support the UKs vibrant EdTech community; many thanks to the judges and entrepreneurs for taking part.” With over 2,000 teachers and students in attendance including a visit by His Royal Highness, Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, it’s safe to say the day was a huge success.    For the latest in the UK’s EdTech scene, @TechmixMag is definitely one to watch. Tutorfair’s use of technology makes it easier for parents and schools to connect with more educators and enables us to go the  extra mile and provide free tutoring for children who cannot afford it.   38% of kids in London have tutoring, if Tutorfair’s child for a child mission grows it will make a huge difference to those children who otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford tutoring. Also a special thanks to  Matt Writtle  for the images above.  For more information about Tutorfair or any of the education companies mentioned above please email  edd@tutorfair.com.