Teacher Appreciation Blog

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Teacher appreciation “in this new age of technology and dawning of the super-computerized generation, education has never been the same. With the rise of powerful software programs, online education was born and connecting with the other parts of the world is made possible by a simple click of a mouse.

Skype, the promising provider of online communication tools has made possible the connection of worldwide classrooms to listen to a guest speaker without traveling. It’s like taking a virtual trip around the world. The -Skype in the Classroom was launched last Tuesday – which enables teachers to create profiles which describe their classes and teaching interests. Aside from that, teachers and students can search a directory of teachers worldwide categorized into student age range, language, and subject.

The beta version of Skype was released last December along with 4000 teacher registrants. May of them used skype in order to coordinate projects with other schools. Some teachers used the directory function to search for partners worldwide over their subject matter.

Teachers find skype user-friendly and its directory very awesome. They can also search projects in the project tab of the skype in the classroom version. More and more independent websites have established skype teacher phone books, virtual language exchange program, and class collaboration directories to address the growing popularity of skype.

This is very promising for our teachers – especially for those who are worrying about teacher layoff. Teachers can teach and earn with home tutorials using skype. Online education can also be carried through the communication software.

Because the skype to skype calls are free, teachers can call every one they would like to – including students which are out of their reach. Students may also send their teacher appreciation gifts through skype – and vice versa.

Despite the bad news happening around the education system, skype in the classroom is one the good news which should be celebrated. By such software, there is a possibility of teaching a hundred of students by one teacher only – which is needed for the recent economic state. Many online universities have used the potentials of skype in delivering instructions.

The endless possibilities of online education could be the answer for the current dilemma. The teacher budget could be lowered and students could learn at home. By such method, the US can save up lot of millions which is designated for teacher salary and school utilities. Though, the answer could still be very vague for now, it couldn’t be denied that skype and other wireless convergence could be the answer for everything.

About Skype

Skype is a software program that enables users to make voice calls and chat sessions over the internet. Skype to skype calls are free and calls to landline and mobile phones are based on debit user account.

National teacher appreciation week - We often heard about the unpleasant issues involving teachers and the current mess in the budget of the education system. The hard fact is, most teachers are greatly affected by these degrading events; from budget cuts to teacher lay-offs. Looking at the current state of education, will this keep off the aspiring teachers from pursuing their dreams?

The current inconvenience brought by the massive budget cut can be very alarming to the reputation of teaching as a noble profession. Could there be a possibility of decrease of interest in teaching? Just like other professions which have gone through decline, how much would it cost for the children and the nation as a whole?

How important is the teaching profession/teachers?

The knowledge of the generation is not taught by machines but by breathing human beings. The children are the foundations of tomorrow. Therefore, shaping them in the most concrete manner is the main objective for a strong nation. Every aspect of education needs a mentor, and there are present teachers though, but how about for tomorrow? Will there be any teachers to follow? In a simple equation, lesser aspirants is equal to lesser teachers.

Does it mean more students lesser teachers?

Definitely, as the lay off continues all the classrooms will be super-sized. Despite the effort of putting on the best teachers in the school, the attention will be different than before. Thus – overloading teachers with so much work load might not be so helpful at all.

How does the current situation affect the reputation of the teaching profession?

When people have the perception of teaching profession as less favorable, how do you expect them to react? Normally, teaching profession will slope down interest. Added the burden of force lay-off, newly graduating education students will divert to other line of occupation which could result to underemployment. As the rule of supply and demand applies, there can be a lot of teaching aspirants but the demand is so low or hardly favorable.

Probably, its just for the budget deficit but not just for the future of the children. The catastrophe is so inevitable that everything in the society much shift down. But what was so hurtful is the silencing of the teacher unions which could taint the reputation of the US teaching profession.

The recession has done so much advantage such as rise of online education but also created fatal damages such as statewide teacher-layoff. There could be no exact time where the economy gets healthy again and one thing is for sure; thousands will lost their teaching jobs and million of children will have to adapt to such enormous change in the education system.

The Good News

The good news is, your mentors will never give up. It is what they are born for and they won’t leave the future of the country to be less educated. Expect, this teacher appreciation week 2011, the torch will get sparked, and light will shine through.

Last March 11, an earthquake hit Japan creating devious tsunamis that swept away the walls of Sendai. Buildings collapsed as the magnitude 9 earthquake shook the land of the rising sun; however, the catastrophe wasn’t over as the pacific generated tsunami destroyed everything that was left behind.

Such event wasn’t expected. Everyone could be at their daily routines, greeting faces, and smiling at strangers along the way. The same could be for teachers in Japan. There have been reported cases of teachers missing after the tsunami incident. Sadly, it wasn’t a typical day for our Japanese brothers especially for our beloved teachers.

-Pray for out Teachers in Japan. For the hard workers who have dedicated their lives in teaching and inspiring children. Life could be easier if they just shifted to other professions but they chose to be teachers; Individuals who are not afraid of what’s to come but merely sees as facts of life and reality.

-Pray for our Beloved Mentors. They could have chosen to teach in some places or in countries where they can earn much ” but they decided to stay in their homeland because they believe in the children of Japan as hope for the homeland and light for the world.

-We give you the highest teacher appreciation and honor every human can have. For those survivors who have seen lives and lives in conflict and survival, we hope you won’t give up your professions and even look forward that you will get inspired to teach now ” because the children of Japan needs it the most.

-We encourage all teachers to help. Any day soon, the atmosphere in Japan will lighten up, as the land tries to stand again. And any day soon, there will be a great demand for volunteer teachers in helping out the young ones of the rising sun.

This would be the greatest gift any one can give to our teachers this coming teacher appreciation week. Any despair, disaster, and calamity won’t bring us down – yet we should stand together as one united people regardless of race. We can help Japan in many different ways. We can give and inspire our teachers out there to stand up and face the reality. Despite the pain and heartache they maybe experiencing now. We’ve always know they will still continue their work of courage and mentoring and nothing would stop that fact.

For our readers out there, a powerful prayer would be worth it. Teachers, students, and parents we encourage you to empathize for Japan, its people, and all the teachers in the country. And also for the people in our own country which have taught in Japan; lets pray for them to be safe.

“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dream of.” “Alfred Lord Tennyson

Seoul ” South Korea has hired tens of thousands of teachers from different foreign lands to support the growing demand of English education.

South Korea and its drastic developments are heating up the need for English fluency. Since the global market speaks in a manner of American influence, the country prepares its citizens to the world they will enter in the upcoming years. News report said that North Korea has also been requesting Canadian Relief Agency to send more English teachers in the country for the upcoming years.

Tourism has been growing massively in South Korea – giving rise to several western investors. Now, in able to deal with the language barrier, the country has been employing methods of encouraging English fluency such as international studies, and exchange student programs.

A New Zealand based agency has sent volunteer teachers into North Korea to teach for three months in 2011. The estimated cost of sending a foreign teacher to North Korea would be $8,000; which means the isolated country is determined to open up into the national community through the use of English.

The report also said that foreign teachers have been sent to North Korea via cultural and academic institutes. The British Council is said to be running an English-training program in North Korea since 2000. American visitors were amazed with the way female tour guides learn English. -They were easy to understand and with fewer accents, we can’t imagine how fast they learn, despite being a non-English speaking country for long.

The increase of foreign English teachers in North Korea has resulted to a TOEFL score of 69 to 75 in 2009 – five points below the world average. South Korea achieved an average of 81 in 2009, a four point increase from 2007.

Teaching in Korea

English fluency has been always part of the requirements in international jobs. Teachers who will be teaching in Korea can experience a different life. Many universities are sponsoring foreign teachers from Canada, United States, United Kingdom, and Britain. Teaching in Korea means a better paycheck and lots of travel opportunities. And, Korean Universities are often small sized classes which teachers prefer over the converse.

Teachers are also entitled with severance pay, pension plan, health benefits, and vacation leave with pay. Having a TESL or TEFL certificate would be an advantage, but for American and native English speaking States, it would not matter anymore, as long as, the teacher has an education degree.

Are you thinking of teaching in Korea? How about spending a different kind of teacher’s day in there? This is the greatest opportunity for teachers to inspire and travel at once ” the best teacher appreciation week gift idea for the coming teacher appreciation celebration.

We are all sons and daughters of God, and we are all created equally. But, there are children who have been special in the eyes of God and man. They have been victims of alcoholism, lack of vitamins, miscarriage, and complex genetics. Despite their specialties, they are part of the society and they can act equal as everybody does. “These are the special children.

They have special needs which should be attended with love and care. We often find the light in their eyes -calling out and trying to express that they want to be loved. These children may act and behave differently, but they are harmless and even many have astounded the world with -what they can do.

Special education teachers attend to their needs. These individuals saw the beauty of teaching these kids. They have sworn to do with all art and passion “the obligation they have chosen, “the purpose they have found. They love teaching these kids and we begin to wonder why ” they are very eager to teach despite the difficulty.

If we had a day in the life of special education teachers, we would have known how hard it is to keep calm when children behave in an uncontrollable manner. We would have also seen the competence these teachers’ posses in delivering pure hearted instructions.

It’s so amazing that teachers like them see the perfection and the potentials these kids have. That every time their students overcome an obstacle, they would get more inspired to teach. That despite the hardships they encounter everyday, compared to a traditional school, they still continue to teach these kids about life and its wonders.

This teacher appreciation week, let us thank them with all their hard work. Parents should understand the heavy obligation special teachers are given. A simple teacher appreciation gift would mean a lot for them. They are simple individuals with complex minds and hearts with much passion. Don’t they deserve some teacher appreciation?

Would it also be very heart-warming if their special students give some gifts? Yes, it would definitely bring tears to their eyes ” seeing students offer something.

Why not visit your special education teacher now and thank them personally for their continuous support and love for your children? In case of the school, the principal can organize a special program on teacher’s day. A special dinner together with the students can be an inspiring get together.

About Special Education:

Special education is the education of students with special needs ” in a way that addresses individual differences. The process involves individually planned and systematically monitored teaching procedures, equipments and materials and other interventions. Common children with special needs are children with learning, emotional and behavioral disorders, physical disabilities, and developmental problems.

Teachers all over the United States have been bugged with the national education budget cuts. Several of them have received lay off notices from education units.

The Teacher Lay Off Phenomena

47 Wethersfield Teachers have been faced with lay off notices ” implying the possibility of getting laid off the next year depending on the budget for 2011-12 school years. The notices will be expected for April 1, as prescribed by the state law.

The Cary District school board has also approved teacher lay off “cutting up 14 and half of full positions ” in order to make way for the budget fixing. The lay off will mostly affect teachers in contract services, first-year probationary teachers and part-time teachers. They will also be including fourth-year probationary teachers, and one teacher reassigned from full time to par-time.

Teacher Unions Masked with Silence

Teacher Unions can no longer defend their side due to cancellation and less-exercise of teacher collective bargaining.

These Unions which serves as the voice of mentors in the country have been massively blocked by state government to stop further complications in the budget cut problem. The problem is, teachers are stripped away of their right to express. And often, conflicts rise from street rallies to teacher-student support groups becoming furious of the issue.

The Good Note

The massive teacher lay off will give way to savings in the national budget ” since the government has problems with budget deficit. The economy is to blame, according to Superintendent Thomas Y McDowell, Wethersfield. The government is tied up with making crucial financial decisions and the best way is to sacrifice teacher jobs.

The two-tiered plan is said to save up a lot of million dollars in the 2011-12 school years in different districts.

Sadly for the Teachers

Many will lost their jobs and careers as well. Though, some benefits have been promised to encourage teachers to quit, the problem is for those first-year probationary teachers which newly established a foundation in teaching. Plus, the teacher union masking is some sort of dictatorial action for them. The economy is hard and landing a decent job is so competitive that not all will have the opportunity to immediately find a temporary occupation. What’s hurts more is the teacher appreciation week is not full teacher appreciation when many of them are getting laid off.

Definitely Hurtful for Students

Class size expansion? Is it worth it? Children in public schools now have the problem of -less chair more classmates for the following school year. And the classroom might be too full for the single teacher to give attention. Plus, teachers will added a lot of work and the salary-increase-issue might be sort of elusive for now.

Do you have Ideas on How to Help Out Teachers?

We would be very glad to hear anything from you. Suggestions and comments regarding the issue are much appreciated. Let us give the greatest gift for our hard working mentors this coming national teacher appreciation week.

Teaching: How noble is such profession? Individuals who teach people with knowledge which they can use for everyday are people who are considered to be heroes. Why then? We mean, those knowledge they are sharing are just from pre-made lesson plans and books they read late at night. And some students even get in trouble because they strict to the rules of good conduct.

Heroes they are, because of one thing ” they teach you how to read and write. Back then, civilizations before, people were fine just hunting animals, getting fish in the sea, and live in caves. Teachers would be no heroes back then. But today’s competitive and ever-evolving world, we need some hard working simple individuals to interpret the lines on the book. Personally, we have the problem of understanding and following even the simplest kitchen manual. See? We need teachers to interpret for us.

We often get mad at our teachers back in high school because they way to strict and limited. But little did we know, they know more than us. They may have come from a different generation but still they know by heart all the norms of the society. Of course, teenagers are bit of rude many times, teachers know these and they are trying to come up with the win-win solution.

The truth is, they aren’t just ordinary teachers. They are super-mothers and fathers of homes challenged by every external and internal factor every family goes through. Definitely, it is a choice they picked for. Teaching gives life for their family and gives light to hundreds of students.

There are times in our life when we question the things taught in the classroom. Definitely, who would think that complex algebraic equations can be used in everyday life? We were too young back then, and what’s the use? Not long before such student becomes an engineer then he realizes it significance.

Teachers have known this to happen; many students will question the purpose their sitting whole day in the classroom. But they don’t get intimidated because they always know that someday these hilarious and curios kids will discover the seeds of success in the simple teachings they make.

This is why teachers are modern heroes. They make engineers, doctors, lawyers, nurses, crime fighters, and teachers like them. And honoring them as heroes means giving them teacher appreciation and credit for their hard work. With just a simple letter of thanks, one can express his gratitude to his great mentors.

This teacher’s day, let them feel they are special like heroes deserve a grand welcome. Teacher appreciation gifts, appreciation poems, and tokens can be a great way of making them smile. It won’t matter how will you express your thankfulness, what matters is you have come to appreciate the coolest people on earth “your teachers.

Anything funny is never considered a crime. Teachers on the same manner are hilarious in nature. Did we say teachers? Definitely, teacher appreciation week is coming and cards won’t miss the season. Here’s how to make your teacher laugh.

How many of those lucky students here like to make their teacher laugh? Well, making someone laugh gag doesn’t require rocket science but do require a lot of work. Lucky for you readers, we have collected the funniest teacher appreciation quotes on the web and served it right on you “spoon feed and free of search-hassles.

1. -Smartness runs in my Family. When I went to school; I was so smart my Teacher was in my Class for Five Years ” did he just say it reversely, or were we clerically erroneous?
2. -Cauliflower is nothing but Cabbage with a College Education ” we guess Mark Twain was a true blue vegetarian in his days.
3. -As long as Teachers give Tests, there will be Prayers in Schools ” well, God did say do your best and He will do the rest. The question goes; have you studied last night?
4. -Teachers open the door; you enter by yourself ” not if you’re too late to enter the classroom.
5. -We all Learn by Experience but Some of Us have to go to Summer School ” naughty students will always learn it the hard way; a good tool for life skills but always ends up having back subjects.
6. -Give a Man a Fish and You feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed Him for a Lifetime ” from the great Lao Tzu of China.
7. -In Grade School I was Smart but I didn’t have any Friends. In High School, I quit being smart and started having Friends ” in high school, you can choose be intelligent and have a bad social life or a social monster without intellect at all.
8. -There are Three Good Reasons to be a Teacher ” June, July, and August ” Hooray for such months, everyday holiday with pay.
9. -A Gifted Teacher is as rare as a Gifted Doctor and makes Far Less Money ” we adore teachers who makes the best out of every teaching sessions and not just sleep or goof outside.

These quotes can be written into a beautiful piece of paper. We bet teachers will be laughing out loud when they read such funny teacher appreciation quotes. So, why not take one of these funny lines now, and try to write them using your hands, it would be much appreciated when done with personalization. Remember, the celebration is near.

Teacher appreciation is all about thanking mentors for the good job they have done through out the years. Expressing gratitude to teachers is a basically a choice “a choice which can lead to mutual understanding and appreciation of hard work.

Here are 10 reasons why you should be saying thanks to your teachers.

1. Thank them for giving you D’s ” if teachers will give you good grades for your bad performance, then they shouldn’t be teaching at all.
2. Give them credit for taking away your first mobile phone ” when you were too busy looking at your first phone, do you remember the teacher who confiscated it? Now you know how bad mobile phones are and how they cause a lot distraction, you should be smirking.
3. Love them by making you stand outside ” now that you have become the most -outstanding employee of the company, you should be thinking a lot of the times when you were too naughty or sleepy in class and your teacher let you stand outside for some awakening air.
4. Say gracias when your teacher did not let you in when you get late ” being the most punctual employee, do you remember the times when you were too frustrated and even almost failed because you were too lazy to get up.
5. Be happy that your teacher failed you ” it was the time when you realized how -failing can be so embarrassing. Now, you’ve learn to do your best not fail with the challenges in life.
6. Hug your teacher for giving you special projects ” at the moment you were about to fail, you asked for another chance. Your teacher gave you a special project and you passed. It’s a lesson that we can always turn our failures upside if we humbly ask for help to the mighty creator.
7. Thank your teacher for getting you embarrassed in front of the class ” you have become a great journalist and a well known news reporter. You all owe it to out teacher when they let you perform a song in front of the class as punishment for not making your assignment.
8. Be happy your teacher punished you to clean the whole school ” remember the time when you were still bullying? Kicking garbage cans and messing the hallway. You are now a great environmentalist, go and treat your teacher on dinner.
9. Thank your teacher for giving you long hours of research subject ” it was totally boring isn’t it? Well, now that you’re a scientist, a well known researcher, do you think it was worth all the head bugling and irksome hours of listening to pure science?
10. Lastly, thank your teacher for making you human ” you can now read, write, and speak like a civilize man. Isn’t that the greatest achievement you can ever imagine? From kindergarten to college, teachers never surrendered of forming you into the man you are today. Do it now, especially the teacher appreciation week is getting near.

Children love to ask about the wonderful things they see around them. Teachers in return, give the answers to their ever curious queries. When they get the answers, expect they’d be asking for more because they are such curious creations. This should be given attention by teachers and provide them with facts which are expressed in a fun way.

On the reverse side, teachers will ask for questions and children will answer. Because they don’t the answer to these questions yet, the teachers will provide it for them. It is a healthy interaction among students. Here are few of the fun trivia questions which teachers can ask their students.

Baby Animals

Q. Give the baby names of these animals: Pig, kangaroo, deer, cat, and bear.

A. a piglet is the name for a baby pig and joey is the name for the baby Kangaroo. Baby deers are fawns and baby cats are kittens while the name for baby bears are clubs.

Or teachers can ask about planets. Like which planet do human beings live? These are quite simple trivia’s which can sharpen the mind of children. These questions can incorporate with games for fun. Children love to learn when its fun and they can easily absorb instruction when they act on it.

Teachers can use the pass the ball game. All you have to do is prepare a music background wherein every child can sing and a piece of ball. As the music starts, they will be passing the ball to their seatmates. While they are having fun singing, and passing the ball, quickly stop the music and wherever the ball stopped, the pupil must answer a trivia, or give their own trivia if they can’t answer.

Teachers can also use cartoon characters in teaching. Almost all children want to be some kind of a cartoon character. Therefore, using cartoon characters can enforce them to listen and learn.

Snow White

Q. Name all the seven dwarfs in Snow White.

A. the Seven dwarfs in the story Snow White were Dopey, Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Doc, and Bashful.

You can also reward them for every correct answer they make. Children will love to earn their candies or chocolates and will motivate them to answer more. It would be a fun bonding between you and your students, wouldn’t it? Perhaps the teacher appreciation week is celebrated not only for mentors but for the children as well.

Teacher Appreciation

Q. What day laid for teachers to be appreciated?

A. It is the day where we honor our mentors “the national teacher’s day.

And that is a trivia for you someone like you ” who have been making the world colorful through your pen and your chalkboard. “our ever-loving teachers.