The Georgia Teachers Organization Monday, May 17 2010 

The Georgia Teachers Organization, mostly known as GTO, is one of the prominent organizations
that stresses on creating a better environment and benefits for the educators in the state of Georgia. The
goal of this organization is to bring together all Georgia educators into a sole state organization which can talk out in behalf of the gains that
they should receive. Among the issues that they speak out, high salaries is one of the principal
worries. In addition to that, abolishment of the state salary step structure by which the older teachers are discriminated is one of other
primary concerns where they also stress on improved retirement gains. Through The Georgia Teachers
Organization, they could effectively communicate with the members and coordinate actions on important issues that concern Georgia educators.

Volunteering

The Georgia Teachers Organization states that they do not have "luxury" office apartments and none of their members run for elected
office. It is run by a group of volunteer members of the organization that work in order to achieve better
benefits for all teachers, faculty and staff members in the state of Georgia. The Georgia
Teachers Organization also tries to educate the educators on various matters, worries, and rights, so the educators know what they are
entitled and take required steps when required. The Georgia Teachers Organization maintains an email network, so the organization communicate with the members easily. The GTO is requesting the educators in the state of Georgia to join the organization by paying $25 annual fee.

Spirit Bulding for Educators

The GTO promotes any legislation that would gain the educator benefits and morale. According to the organization every state that borders Georgia has full retirement gains for educators after 25 years of service without an
early retirement penalty but Georgia does not offer this benefit. In addition the Georgia Teachers Organization also comes out for
several other causes such as ending the salary step caps which stops the salary increases of master teachers after 20 years of service and higher salaries for educators who
posses educational qualifications including masters, specialist and doctorate degrees.

The organization also state that the retirement benefit for each year of service should be increased to 3%. As a result 25 years of service would provide
75% (25*3%) salary upon retirement in contrast to the presently provided 60%. Furthermore, GTO maintains that since there are Georgia State employees who get 90% of their salary at retirement, the educators should also
offered the same benefit.

Constructing Opportunities

When one joins the Georgia Teachers Organization one receives several benefits such as being involved in an action list
which notifies who to contact when important matters break and also receiving email notifications about pending lawmaking
concerning the profession. The contact details of the individuals, parties, and
organizations are given to The Georgia Teachers Organization’s members, so they can directly have a dialog with the parties who are working to improve the standards for Georgian
educators. Moreover, members would receive the chance to attend local, regional and state gatherings and meetings to gain first-hand knowledge about
the ideas that other teachers might present to improve the working conditions.

Home Schooling 101 Thursday, Dec 31 2009 

Most people, when they first encounter the idea of home schooling, have one hundred and one questions. This article is intended to act as a reference point for people interested in the prospect of home schooling their children. The first question many parents ask is “Why would we want to school our children at home?”

There are a number of benefits to home schooling your children. Home schooling yields positive academic, social, emotional, and spiritual benefits for any family that is willing and prepared to give it a chance. Study after study has shown that children that are home schooled outrank their public and private schooled peers in every academic area. Child safety has been cited by many parents as a motivation for home schooling.

With the prevalence of guns and violence in schools, this should come as no surprise. There is also the benefit of reducing your child’s exposure to peer pressure regarding drugs, alcohol, and sexual activity. A cursory glance at the statistics of teenage alcohol/drug abuse, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease is enough to scare any thinking parent into considering what actions they can take in order to insulate their children from such dangers.

In the case of children with special needs, parents can rest assured that their children are receiving the attention they need and deserve. Home schooling also goes a long way in bringing families closer together, as children really tend to thrive under parental attention. It has been said that a family that learns together, grows together!

Home schooling also has the added benefit of allowing parents to truly know and understand their children. With regards to spiritual teachings, home schooling offers parents the opportunity to teach and guide their children by the principles of their faith. The idea of home schooling one’s children has literally exploded in recent times.

With some of the reasons cited above, it is easy to see why. There are plenty of resources available for parents and students alike, and a quick internet search of the topic will yield you a wealth of information.

Your local library or bookstore will likely have information, as well. Many communities even have local support groups for parents of home schooled children. Why home schooling? Why not??

Kim Yonkers is a mom of three who has been home schooling for several years. In her free time, she works as a freelance write for http://www.homeschoolingplus.com - a site that offers various information for home schooling parents and families featuring information on home schooling, home school material, home schooling online and more.

How to Find College Scholarships for Lefties Sunday, Aug 2 2009 

Searching for a means to fund a further education may be problematic and will certainly need time. Scholarships are not the same as a normal student loan because the cash is a grant, so it doesn’t have to be paid back. While exploring ways of funding a further education, be mindful that cash is accessible at unusual sites, for instance southpaw grants.

Left-Handed Scholarships: - A left-handed scholarship may initially seem a little bit strange, but do consider these facts: Albert Einstein was a left-hander, as is President Obama. Raphael, Da Vinci, Ringo Starr not to mention were also left-handed. Current figures propose up to 11% of the global population are left-handed. Although in the past lefthanders have suffered from substantial discrimination, nowadays they are believed to be more intelligent and more artistic. Stigmatization is not an issue anymore, southpaws are no longer thought of as odd, and may even have many qualities associated with the famous people noted previously.

If you are left-handed and researching grants for left handed scholars, a lot of grants for left-handed individuals are accessible which you could receive. The Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship for $1000$1k is available at Juniata College stuated in Huntington, Pennsylvania. Presented to scholars of Juniata College and set up in the seventies, this college fund assists many scholars through college. Many scholarships do have requirements and restrictions. This can include grades or financial needs. Multiple applications will increase your prospects of funding a college education with as little school debt upon graduation as possible. Clubs, groups related to hobbies and even local organizations can be a source of college scholarships. Lefty scholarships are only one case; financial help is accessible in some other instances for example the individuals from military households or if you are disabled. Many individuals have to invest quite a bit of time researching college funding, but the reward may potentially be sizable. Utilised in conjunction with regular lending, they should certainly cut back the student debt which a college education generates. Be very thorough in searching all opportunities. These funding is not the only option — list all your clubs and societies and make use of your creativity. Apply for everything you might possibly qualify for, keeping your student debt to a minimum, and you’ll be able to expect improved prospects after leaving university.

Obtaining School Scholarships for Lefties Monday, May 18 2009 

It’s not easy to find a scholarship these days. College scholarships differ from the regular student loan in that these are a grant for your education, and, do not have to be paid back. While searching methods to finance your degree, check out the different alternatives, for instance lefty scholarships. Lefty Scholarships

A lefty bursary may at first seem a little bit crazy, however it’s worth looking at these facts: Bill Gates is a left-hander, so is the president of the US, Barack Obama. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Ringo Starr also Charlie Chaplin were also left handed. Close to 11% of the population are southpaws. Regrettably in the past southpaws have suffered from discrimination, now they are considered to be more intelligent and more artistic. Stigmatisation is not a problem anymore and lefties are no longer thought of as odd, in fact they are often linked with the great individuals mentioned previously.

There are many funds available specifically for left-handed scholars if you know where to look. A Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship for 1000 USD is available at Juniata College in Huntington, PA. For students of Juniata College and established in the late 1970’s, this particular college fund has helped forty plus students in their quest for advanced education.

Many grants may have prerequisites or restrictions. In a few cases certain grades can be asked for or certain monetary requirements must be satisfied. Multiple applications will give you a greater chance of finishing with a minimum level of debt. Societies, groups associated with your hobbies and local organisations can be a source of college grants. Left handed programs aren’t the only example; funds are likewise available if you’re a child of a member of the services or are disabled, to offer some examples. You will probably need to spend a little time looking for university funding, however the payoffs can be enormous. The debt generated by a university education may be diminished through such scholarships used alongside a normal student loan. Ensure you research each suitable grant. Do remember there are different options as well as left handed scholarships — list your community affiliations and make use of your resourcefulness. If you even consider you may meet the criteria, then go for it, keeping any debt to a minimum, also you will very likely look forward to a more positive career future when you finally graduate.

Finding University Bursaries for Lefties Friday, Apr 10 2009 

Looking for help in financing a further education can be problematic and can certainly take time. These scholarships are not the same as a student loan in that the cash is a grant, so it does not have to be paid back. While researching means to fund your further instruction, check into some of the more unique choices, for instance financing for left handed students.

Funding for Southpaws

A lefty bursary may at first look a little bit unusual, but do consider this: Benjamin Franklin was a lefthander, so is the president of the United States, Barack Obama. Raphael, Da Vinci, Jimi Hendrix also J.F. Kennedy were left handed as well. Approximately 11% of the population are lefties. Regrettably in the past lefties have known discrimination, nowadays they are frequently considered to be more intelligent and more artistic. Today, lefties are no longer stigmatised or thought of as odd, as a matter of fact they are often linked with the great individuals referred to previously.

If you’re left-handed and researching scholarships for left-handed scholars, plenty of grants for left-handed people exist which you may be able to receive. The Frederick and Mary F. Beckley Scholarship for anything up to a thousand dollars is currently available at Juniata College stuated in Huntington, PA. For students going to Juniata College and it was founded in 1979, this particular college scholarship has helped forty plus lefthanded students in their quest for a college degree.

Many scholarships may have requirements or restrictions. Sometimes certain grades can be asked for or particular monetary guidelines must be satisfied. Multiple program applications may give you a greater opportunity of supporting a college degree acquiring a minimal level of debt. You should also consider community organizations, clubs and even hobby related groups. Bursaries for left-handed students are simply one illustration; funding is even obtainable if you’re a child of a ex-serviceman or have a disability, for example. Exploring college scholarships may take some work, however the advantages can potentially be sizable. The debt generated by a university education may be cut back via such scholarships utilised alongside a student loan. Ensure you explore every last opportunity. Remember the alternative choices as well as left-handed bursaries - be imaginative! If you even think you may qualify, then apply, keeping any costs to a minimum, and you will be facing a more positive career future after graduation.

How to Incorporate Kwanzaa into Your Homeschool Curriculum Monday, Mar 9 2009 

With the wellspring of cultural knowledge available to educate African American children about our rich heritage a solid anchor for all of this information is Kwanzaa. Unless you know where you come from, you can never arrive at where you should be going (huge paraphrase). Let’s look at this quote…

Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community. These values are called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means the Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga, the Nguzo Saba stand at the heart of the origin and meaning of Kwanzaa, for it is these values which are not only the building blocks for community but also serve to reinforce and enhance them.
…from the Official Kwanzaa Web Site - http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/7principles.html

After learning American history, World history, the history of art, music, writing and the like - African American history is a must and I will touch on a way to add Kwanzaa to your curriculum.

First let’s start with the little ones - the simplest way that we use is with coloring pictures. Give them examples of of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa which you can find online and let them color them as they desire. Remember to write the names of each symbol and tell them the meaning of each one. As they get older they will begin to recall the meaning of the symbols and ask questions about each one. Parents prepare ahead of time to answer their questions about Kwanzaa as they will ask about each one and it will probably be at a time when you are not at your computer or near a Kwanzaa calendar to remember. Our children need good principles to guide them thru life and this is an invaluable way to instill them.

For those a little more mature in age get them to make a Kwanzaa calendar to place in their room, with the symbols, their names and meaning. As an added way to remember Kwanzaa we discuss each separate symbol, name and meaning each month leading up to Kwanzaa - giving you extra material to which subjects like history, culture, languages, writing and composition can be budded from throughout the year.

Starting at those at the ages of 16 and up we let them choose a principle and go online to research examples of each Kwanzaa symbol being applied in the past, present and produce an example that can be used in the future. The future application of their respective Kwanzaa symbol can be next year or five years from now and triggers their use of critical thinking - something that young leaders need to practice in order to be part of building family, community and culture.

A more in-depth lesson plan that can be used as a homeschooling guide to Kwanzaa can be found at the Learning to Give website: http://www.learningtogive.org/lessons/unit158/overview.html. Each age group has a different activity planned for celebrating Kwanzaa in a more structured format.

Because of the richness of Kwanzaa and the principles that it points to as a reinforcement for community, family and culture it’s values should be rehearsed year-round just as Christmas in July and other holidays are touched upon out of season. We have the future of our nation’s principles in our hands let’s not forget to remind each other to keep those principles.

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