Thursday, May 21, 2020
What Is Nursing Essay - 2869 Words
Nursing is universal in the sense that nurses can be found almost in all countries around the world (Henderson, 1978). They are in the hospitals, in school clinics, in the community centres, residential homes and even play major roles in some of the popular soap operas in television. There are even television shows that mainly revolve around nurses and which chronicles what they do at work - both the positive and the negative. It is one of the most visible and easily identifiable occupations as compared for example to other occupations such as engineers, managers or even pharmacists, medical technologists and other health related occupations. This is partly because of what nurses do and most especially how nurses look - with some stillâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦The salient point in Hendersonââ¬â¢s definition is describing the duty of a nurse as one that cares or assists an individual whether sick or well in obtaining a state of health in order to live an independent lifestyle (paraphrased). Henderson also described the independent and dependent role of nurses and the importance of a collaborative work with the other members of the multi-disciplinary health care team especially the doctors (Henderson, 1966). The Royal College of Nursing, on the other hand, described nursing as the utilization of clinical judgement in extending the care necessary for the people to maintain and achieve an optimum state of life throughout their lifetime (RCN, 2003). Other significant definitions of nursing were those given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Nurses Association (ANA). The roles and functions of nurses have a very fascinating history and have evolved since the 19th century. Landale (1895), in her letter to the editor of the Nursing Record and Hospital World gave us a glimpse of what a nurse should be during that period. Referring to a nurse as a woman in uniform, it gave us an idea that nursing was a female dominated vocation and not to be treated as an economical occupation for financial gain. Landale (1895) placed an emphasis on the characteristic of being a servant and being devoted to service in order to be a nurse who was worthy of the uniform. TheShow MoreRelatedWhat is Nursing?885 Words à |à 4 Pagesââ¬Å"Nursing isâ⬠¦Ã¢â¬ Nursing has been a field in which new rules are being constantly enforced. It is also a field that requires the nurses to constantly review their material in order to be current with the changes in health profession. Nursing has always been around, but in different standards. Nursing began as a basic care and then it gradually expanded into a more critical and in-depth care. There are several definitions of what nursing is, but in my own perspective, I think nursing is the act ofRead MoreWhat Are Nursing Research?1359 Words à |à 6 PagesWhat is nursing research and why is it important to nursing? Research is essential in all aspects of life. Research guides decisions on what cars will be bought, what houses will be purchased, or where children will attend school. So, why would research not be an important part of deciding what is best in regards to healthcare? Research is conducted to gather data about a particular subject. Data that is collected through research should strive to be obtained from resources that are valid, credibleRead MoreWhat Is Nursing Profession?1835 Words à |à 8 PagesWHAT IS NURSING PROFESSION INTRODUCTION What dose Nursing profession mean to a student Nurse? To answer this question as a student Nurse will break it down into four subject areas starting off with the professional and ethical influences that will include the United Kingdom central council for nursing and midwifery and changing to the (NMC) Nursing and Midwifery council today and what is expected the Nursing should follow code of conduct and looking at the accountability and responsibility of theRead MoreWhat Is Care For Nursing?3206 Words à |à 13 PagesWhat is care in nursing? To me care in nursing is being empathetic to patientsââ¬â¢ feelings, and providing the patient care like the professional caregiver would find beneficial. First of all, the term and meaning of caring in nursing can have a universal commonality which the giver of care is the nurse, and the receiver is the patient (Tonges, M., Ray, J. 2011). Second, there were findings by (Butts, J. B., Rich, K., MN., 2011), which ââ¬Å"caring is a belief or value (Watson, 1979, 1985, 1990)Read MoreWhat Makes Nursing A Profession?1656 Words à |à 7 PagesNursing is a multidisciplinary profession in which caring, holism, endurance, effective patient care and patient safety are simultaneously executed. Nursing is a unique profession whereby personal experience and a personal philosophy contribute to great nursing care. In this paper, I will review my view of nursing and what makes it a unique profession. Nursing as a Profession What makes nursing a profession? Definition. According to the ANA, the requirements for nursing profession are educationRead MoreWhat Nursing Means to Me708 Words à |à 3 PagesWhat nursing means to me My philosophy of nursing comes directly from my desire to help people. I want to be a nurse because I enjoy being around people in their times of need and I get internal satisfaction by serving those that need help. I remember when I did some volunteer work for a hospital and that is when I realized my passion for nursing. I believe that the cure for many of the peoples ailments is not just in medicine, it is in the care that they receive as patients in hospitals andRead MoreWhat is Nursing Informatics? Essay1207 Words à |à 5 Pagesthis concept when making the decisions of which of the information will be used and what the potential outcomes of the information chosen will have on my reasearch question; will it favor the topic or will it unfavor it? The final concept of the plan is the use of wisdom. ââ¬Å"Wisdom focuses on the appropriate application of knwledgeâ⬠(McGonigle Garver, 2012, p.99). The use of wisdom guides the decisions about what would be the most appropriate use of information. Through the use of wisdom I will beRead MoreWhat Is The Impact Of Nursing And Health1109 Words à |à 5 PagesThis written easy will be taking a look at the health profile within a particular community and will aim to provide an understanding of nursing and health by critically analysing the environment, socio economic and cultural factors that could be influencing the health of the individuals and the community as a whole. The essay will also aim to evaluate the nurse and client relationship, discussing the different perceptions of health and wellbeing amongst individuals, the communities and overall populationRead MoreEssay about What Is Nursing Professionalism?1482 Words à |à 6 PagesAbstract Despite the vast research on nursing profession, little is known about the depth of the responsibilities of nurses to the public. The majority of the society seems to still perceive nurses as ââ¬Å"the one who wipes buttâ⬠or ââ¬Å"the pillow flufferâ⬠. They have very little understanding of what nurses really do and to how far nursing field have gone. The overall image of the nurses that emerges from the society is negative and we must fix that. With the research articles provided, these will giveRead MoreNursing As A Profession, What Does It Mean?1520 Words à |à 7 PagesIntroduction to Nursing Nursing as a profession, what does that mean? Better yet what does it mean to me? I find myself at the mercy of a long drawn out discussion of the evolution of nursing, is it a science or is it an art? I ask myself, why am I doing this to myself? Am I prepared to care for someone elseââ¬â¢s life? Health? Medical needs? Do I have a philosophy? Do I even know what a theory of nursing is? This is probably one of the hardest journeys I have ever been on in my life so what does my future
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Child Observation Cognitive And Language Development
Child observation: #1 Cognitive and Language development Introduction: Name of the child: CJ Age: 2yrs and 10months (34 months) Date of observation: 6/19/2016 Time: 2.40pm to 4.40pm Context: Observation took place in their home. The living room dimension is approximately 16 x 20 feet, giving enough room for movement. On entering the living room, on the east corner is a 50-inch television and to the west is the dining set. This room is furnished with tan leather couches, center table and red rug over the bare floor. On the walls are family pictures, pictures of CJ and his brothers, personal pictures of CJ and personal pictures of his brothers. And there is a door that leads to the backyard. Mom, CJ and two older siblings were home. Dad was at work. The two older siblings with the request of Mom came up to the living room to say Hi to me and went back down to the basement where handymen were doing some work. Actual observation: I walked into the living room where the toddler lay on his stomach on the center table playing video game. He did not notice someone worked in; if he did notice, he did not show it because he did not shift his attention from his game. Mom announced my presence ââ¬Å"look who has come to our house, she has come to observe how we are doingâ⬠, yet he did not raise his head nor did anything to acknowledge my presence. But as soon as Mom made a request for me to follow her to the basement to see the extent of work being done, CJ immediately got up from the tableShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Theories of Jean Piaget752 Words à |à 4 Pageshas two main strands: first, an account of the mechanisms by which cognitive development takes place; and second, an account of the four main stages of cognitive development through which children pass. Piaget suggested that there are four main stages in the cognitive development of children. In the first two years, children pass through a sensory-motor stage during which they progress from cognitive structures dominated by instinctual drives and undifferentiated Read MoreThe Observation of a 5 Year Old Boy Essay1263 Words à |à 6 PagesThe Observation of a 5 Year Old Boy Date: 3/19/04 Time observation started: 1:40 pm Time observation ended: 1:55 pm Name of child: Daiki Age of child: 5.6 Setting: The setting took place in a play area/corner in the classroom of the school where Daiki attends. Daiki is playing with power rangers and there are also other children present, playing in the same play area. Observation: Daiki is sitting in a play area with a friend playing with power rangers at a small tableRead MoreThe Effect Of Symbolic Play On Children s Cognitive Development Of Children754 Words à |à 4 Pagesaccount in the cognitive development of children. Vygotsky (1978) theorised that children learn and practice social skills with their parents, and they develop this learning through social interactions. Piaget also emphasised the significance of social interaction so the child can progress outside of their egocentrism that is linked to the pre operational stage. (London, 2001) Similansky 1968 also supported Piaget theory, and studied the impact that symbolic play has on childrenââ¬â¢s cognitive and socialRead MoreChildren Are Our Pillars For Tomorrow Essay1720 Words à |à 7 PagesChild Study Project Children are our pillars for tomorrow. It is therefore important to study children at different ages. The main goal of this project is to understand child development by using case study method along with child observations and parent interview. Given the circumstances of long distance, Skype is used to observe the child and conduct the parent interview. Matthew, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, is an outgoing and smart 7th grader. He is a 10-year-old Chinese boy growingRead MoreSocio Cultural Theory And Piaget s Cognitive Development Theory1493 Words à |à 6 PagesThe two theorists that I have chosen to compare are Vygotsky for his work on the socio-cultural theory and Piagetââ¬â¢s Cognitive Development theory. The socio-cultural theory focuses on how norms, culture, beliefs and values are passed onto the next generation in a society (Berk, 2007). Piaget was the first psychologist to study cognitive development and described his work as genetic epistemology. He was conce rned with how essential concepts such as the idea of time, numbers, justice etc. arose (SieglerRead MoreChild Observation928 Words à |à 4 PagesChild Observation I recently observed a child involved in two different types of activities, at different times of the day. The first activity was Teacher-Initiated, and the second Child-Initiated. The purpose of this observation is to compare and contrast the childs development and behavior between the two different contexts. Through observation I found that although both activities were rich in challenge and learning opportunity, the childs behavior is different, but demonstratesRead MoreUniversal Needs Of Infants And Toddlers1651 Words à |à 7 Pagestoddlers Infancy is an important stage of life. At this stage, babies and toddlers will have universal developments or needs which can connect physical, cognitive, language, social, emotional domain of development. I would like to discuss three universal needs, which are important for the infant / toddler learning and development foundations. There are exploring the world, learning from observation, Infancy is one of the periods which has most exploring spirit in a person s life. The infant collectsRead MoreHow Do the Major Theories of Child Development (Known as the ââ¬ËGrand Theoriesââ¬â¢) Explore the Importance of Social Experiences?1675 Words à |à 7 PagesHow do the major theories of child development (known as the ââ¬Ëgrand theoriesââ¬â¢) explore the importance of social experiences? Social experiences play a vital role in the development of children. Theories of child development have been created to help us to understand how childrenââ¬â¢s minds develop, taking into account the differences between cultures around the world. Some of these theories explore the possibility that children gain knowledge, develop new concepts and bridge new ideas through interactionRead MoreSocial and environmental variables affect cognitive development. Cognitive development focuses on1300 Words à |à 6 PagesSocial and environmental variables affect cognitive development. Cognitive development focuses on the personââ¬â¢s ability to intellect, perceive and process information. (35589) defined the cognitive ability as the process in which people learn, think and use language; it is the progression of their mental capacity from being irrational to rational (35589). Piaget and Vygotsky are two cognitive theorists whom were interested in the cognitive development of a person across their life span and its relationRead MorePhysical Domain For Early Childhood1662 Words à |à 7 Pageswhen the child was an infant. As both genders begin to thin in different regions of the body, the torso ââ¬Å"lengthens and widensâ⬠as the ââ¬Å"spine straightensâ⬠(Berk, 2012, p. 290). With ââ¬Å"body proportions similar to those of adultsâ⬠(Berk, 2012, p. 290), they do not bear much resemblance to the little cherub-faced infants they once were. This elongating and shaping of the body ultimately helps with motor coordination because the ââ¬Å"postur e and balance improveâ⬠(Berk, 2012, p. 290). The child observed
Needs of training Free Essays
All organizations must manage four resources: money, equipment, information, and people. Investments in better equipment may speed up production or reduce waste. Investments in training and development of employees can make them more productive or more effective in their Jobs, directly contributing to the bottom line. We will write a custom essay sample on Needs of training or any similar topic only for you Order Now The singular function of training is to produce change. It is the upgrading of a personââ¬â¢s skill or the addition of a new skill, which in turn can bring about the desired change an agency is seeking. It is important to understand that training in and of tself cannot motivate a work force The purpose of training and management development programs is to improve employee capabilities and organizational capabilities. When the organization invests in improving the knowledge and skills of its employees, the investment is returned in the form of more productive and effective employees. Training and development programs may be focused on individual performance or team performance. The creation and implementation of training and management development programs should be based on training and management development needs identified by a training needs analysis so that the ime and money invested in training and management development is linked to the mission or core business of the organization Value and importance of Training According to Edwin B Flippo, ââ¬Å"training is the act of increasing the knowledge and skills of an employee for doing a particular Jobâ⬠From the above definition, it can be observed that training is the act of increasing the knowledge and skills of an employee. It imparts specific skills for specific purposes. It is mainly Job oriented. Training is needed to be given to both old and new employees throughout their tenure in the organization. ? to foster growth and development o provide opportunities for employees to accept greater challenges to aid employees in contributing to the achievement of department goals and the agencyââ¬â¢s mission and vision to build employee self-confidence and commitment to produce a measurable change in performance to bring about the desired changes that can solve a variety of problems Types of Training Programmes Induction or Orientation Training: This training programme is meant to induct a new employee into the new social setting of this work setting. The new employee is introduced to his Job situations and informed about the rules, working conditions, rivileges and activities. Most of the information is likely to be embodied in a handbook which is distributed to an employee and in case of rank and file workers, the orientation may consist only of brief explanations by a member of Personnel department or the supervisor under whom the employee will work In order to maximize the effectiveness of training and development, organizations must constantly assess their employeesââ¬â¢ current training and development needs and identify training and development needs to prepare employees for their next have different needs and that these needs will change over time as these workers ontinue in their careers The different types of training programs can be broadly classified as Job Training: The purpose of Job training is to increase the knowledge of workers about the lobes within which they are concerned so that their efficiency and skill of performance are improved. In Job training workers learn correct methods of handling machines and equipments, avoiding accident s, removing bottlenecks,etc Promotional Training: Many companies have adopted a policy of filing some of the vacancies at higher levels by promoting existing employees. When existing employees are promoted in the Organization, they are required to shoulder new esponsibilities. For this, they require training so that they may not experience any difficulty to shoulder the responsibilities of the new position to which they have been promoted Refresher Training: At the time of initial appointment, employees are formally training for their Jobs, but with the passage of time, they may forget some of the methods which were taught to them or some of the methods or all of them may have become out dated because of technological development. Hence, refresher training is arranged for existing employees in order to enable them to revive and improve their knowledge. How to cite Needs of training, Papers
Needs of training Free Essays
All organizations must manage four resources: money, equipment, information, and people. Investments in better equipment may speed up production or reduce waste. Investments in training and development of employees can make them more productive or more effective in their Jobs, directly contributing to the bottom line. We will write a custom essay sample on Needs of training or any similar topic only for you Order Now The singular function of training is to produce change. It is the upgrading of a personââ¬â¢s skill or the addition of a new skill, which in turn can bring about the desired change an agency is seeking. It is important to understand that training in and of tself cannot motivate a work force The purpose of training and management development programs is to improve employee capabilities and organizational capabilities. When the organization invests in improving the knowledge and skills of its employees, the investment is returned in the form of more productive and effective employees. Training and development programs may be focused on individual performance or team performance. The creation and implementation of training and management development programs should be based on training and management development needs identified by a training needs analysis so that the ime and money invested in training and management development is linked to the mission or core business of the organization Value and importance of Training According to Edwin B Flippo, ââ¬Å"training is the act of increasing the knowledge and skills of an employee for doing a particular Jobâ⬠From the above definition, it can be observed that training is the act of increasing the knowledge and skills of an employee. It imparts specific skills for specific purposes. It is mainly Job oriented. Training is needed to be given to both old and new employees throughout their tenure in the organization. ? to foster growth and development o provide opportunities for employees to accept greater challenges to aid employees in contributing to the achievement of department goals and the agencyââ¬â¢s mission and vision to build employee self-confidence and commitment to produce a measurable change in performance to bring about the desired changes that can solve a variety of problems Types of Training Programmes Induction or Orientation Training: This training programme is meant to induct a new employee into the new social setting of this work setting. The new employee is introduced to his Job situations and informed about the rules, working conditions, rivileges and activities. Most of the information is likely to be embodied in a handbook which is distributed to an employee and in case of rank and file workers, the orientation may consist only of brief explanations by a member of Personnel department or the supervisor under whom the employee will work In order to maximize the effectiveness of training and development, organizations must constantly assess their employeesââ¬â¢ current training and development needs and identify training and development needs to prepare employees for their next have different needs and that these needs will change over time as these workers ontinue in their careers The different types of training programs can be broadly classified as Job Training: The purpose of Job training is to increase the knowledge of workers about the lobes within which they are concerned so that their efficiency and skill of performance are improved. In Job training workers learn correct methods of handling machines and equipments, avoiding accident s, removing bottlenecks,etc Promotional Training: Many companies have adopted a policy of filing some of the vacancies at higher levels by promoting existing employees. When existing employees are promoted in the Organization, they are required to shoulder new esponsibilities. For this, they require training so that they may not experience any difficulty to shoulder the responsibilities of the new position to which they have been promoted Refresher Training: At the time of initial appointment, employees are formally training for their Jobs, but with the passage of time, they may forget some of the methods which were taught to them or some of the methods or all of them may have become out dated because of technological development. Hence, refresher training is arranged for existing employees in order to enable them to revive and improve their knowledge. How to cite Needs of training, Papers
Saturday, April 25, 2020
Visions Of W.W.I. Essays - Hairdressing, Hairstyle, Suit, Trousers
Visions Of W.W.I. Visions of WWI 1. Compare and contrast the fashions of the W.W.I. with the fashions of W.W.II a. What does hairstyle, length and width of skirts, jewelry, bathing suits, make-up, cigarette smoking, etc. indicate about W.W.I. and W.W.II: During W.W.I the Austrian wore the pike gray 1909 pattern tunic and trousers. They have three white stars on the collar which indicate Sergeants rank. Some have leather gaiters worn by mountain troops; others wore the ordinary trousers with the integral gaiter which fastened around the ankle with two buttons. Men and women wore tunics made of khaki serge flannel or cord. Most men, and some women, also wore leather cartridge pouches and a slouched hat. Women were seen wearing long, more fuller skirts. Blouses usually had a high neck line and the sleeves were full length. Women also wore their hair longer but usually pulled it back into a bun or pony tail. Fashions were very conservative. (p. 36-47, A Photo history of World War I). On the Eastern Front, German infantry wore white coats with fur on the inside. They did this for warmth and camouflage. They wore the field gray cap with black/white and red at the top, and state blockade on the band. The band was red for infantry, black for rifles and artillery, and brown for machine gun battalions. The German Army uniform began to change in 1915. They went from buttoned cuffs to a simple turned back cuff. (p. 36-47, A Photo history of World War I). During W.W.I. tobacco was not frequently used, but drinking tea and whisky was used more for entertainment and relaxation. (p. 125, Over There). During W.W.II. materials were scarce. Skirt hems were much shorter and skirts were more form fitting. The clothes could not have any cuff, ruffles or flap pockets. Pants could be no more than 19 inches wide. There were also shortages of fabric such as silk, rayon and nylon. American women were starting to become fashionable by wearing military hats, men's pants, and patches. Women also stopped wearing large jewelry such as bangles and beads. Short haircuts were considered much safer at work and less trouble. The short hairstyles became popular during the war. Men's suits were rationed and each man was only allowed one suit per year. Men were allowed to only have four cigarettes per day. (p. 150-162, Time Life). The styles during W.W.I were not as conservative as the styles during W.W.II. The styles during W.W.II. indicate a shortage of products which mandated the fashion industry during that era for both men and women. (p 36-47, A Photo history of World War I), (p. 150-162, Time Life). b. How do the fashions of these two periods in history show how our attitudes have changed: The changing of the fashions from W.W.I. to W.W.II. show that men and women were becoming more in tune with fashion. Styles were not as conservative as they used to be. Women were accepting the shorter hairstyles and more form fitting clothes. Women were participating in the war. Men were learning how to clean, and cook meals in the kitchen. Men and women were taking on roles that the other sex would normally do. c. How do the fashions of these two periods reflect war America: The fashions of these two periods reflect war in America by the type of materials that were being used, the availability of the supplies, and how conservative attitudes changed over time. The soft hats, high boots, war metals seen pinned to their jackets, longer coats, long full dresses worn by women reflect the W.W.I war in America. The hard hats, slender fitting clothes, stripes on the collar or sleeve, flashy or low cut costumes worn at parties for entertainment reflect W.W.II. war in America. We can see throughout time, from the changing of styles between W.W.I, and W.W.II that people became more casual. People of W.W.II looked for more ways to have fun, while people from W.W.I were more serious. 4. Life in America during W.W.I and W.W.II a. W.W.I - It was the best of times During the best times in W.W.I. large groups of military men would visit cathedrals and write endless and appreciative accounts of what they had seen or done during
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
1984 Essays (686 words) - Nineteen Eighty-Four, Newspeak
1984 Essays (686 words) - Nineteen Eighty-Four, Newspeak 1984 Nineteen Eighty Four Fictional World In English this semester we have studied three different texts. All three texts were based on original, fictional worlds. The fictional world which stood out above the rest and really amazed me would have to be Nineteen Eighty-Four. Nineteen Eighty-Four was the most realistic out of the three. While reading the novel you really get into the fictional world and think like the main character Winston Smith. Three aspects of the text which made this world so interesting to study were The Inner Party, Big Brother, and the Thought Police. Each of these interesting aspects in Nineteen Eighty Four play a great part in the novel itself and the way the fictional world works. The Inner Party played a huge role in creating the fascinating world in Nineteen Eighty Four. The Inner Party was in charge of Airstrip1 and wanted to be superior over everyone. They wanted the party to be the peoples first loyalty over anything else. They didnt allow marriage or even sex for this was an act of loyalty between two people and not to the party. An example of this is when Winston and Julia were caught having a sexual relationship and were taken away by the Thought Police. They were then made to betray eachother, love the Party, and to believe what ever the party said was true. The Party had control over everything even peoples minds. This was proved when O Brien held up four fingers and said to Winston how many fingers am I holding up? Winston replied Five. Big Brother also played a big role in creating the world which Nineteen Eighty-Four was based in. Big Brother is a figure, which the Party has created to frighten people and give them more power. The Party can do anything they like and when someone questions them they can just say there under orders from Big Brother. Big Brother is everywhere in every house (except proles), every street, wall, and he is always shouting out BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU the text which backs this up is when Winston describes that On each landing, opposite the lift shaft the poster with enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those pictures, which are so conceived that the eyes follow you about when you move. Big Brother is so important to the world in the novel because the figure stops thought crime, gives the people someone to look up to and someone to love, lets the Party tell the people anything they want and the people will believe it, such as propaganda. An example is when the party say Oce ania is at war with Eurasia, Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia. The people automatically believe this. Newspeak is the official language of Oceania. It is supposed to take over common English in the year 2050. Newspeak is another important aspect in the creation of Oceania because it prevents Thought Crime. The purpose of Newspeak is to cancel out words such as rebel so that people wont know the word and therefore if they feel like rebelling against the party they wont know how to express their feelings. The compiler of the Newspeak dictionary Syme says Dont you see that the whole aim of newspeak is to narrow the range of thoughts which in the end we shall make thought crime literally impossible. Newspeak will also cut out words that have no use such as excellent or superb which are all different meanings of the word good, or double plus good instead of having all different words meaning the same thing. Syme said to Winston were cutting the language down to the bone. He then said, the purpose of the Newspeak Dictionary is to reduce the vocabulary so that even the concept of rebellion fades away The Inner Party, Big Brother, and Newspeak are all-important aspects of the fictional world in Nineteen Eighty-Four each one of these aspects play an important part in the development of the fascinating world which the author George Orwell has created.
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Ten Common Myths Regarding Teachers
Ten Common Myths Regarding Teachers Teaching is one of the most misunderstood professions. Many people do not understand the dedication and hard work that it takes to be a good teacher. The truth is that it is often a thankless profession. A significant portion of the parents and students that we work with on a regular basis do not respect or appreciate what we are trying to do for them. Teachers deserve to be respected more, but there is a stigma associated with the profession that will not go away any time soon. The following myths drive this stigma making this job even more difficult than it already is. Myth #1 ââ¬â Teachers work from 8:00 a.m. ââ¬â 3:00 p.m. The fact that people believe that teachers only work Monday-Friday from 8-3 is laughable. Most teachers arrive early, stay late, and often spend a few hours on the weekend working in their classrooms. Throughout the school year, they also sacrifice time at home for activities such as grading papers and preparing for the next day. They are always on the job. A recent article published by BBC news in England highlighted a survey asking their teachers how many hours they spend on the job. This survey compares favorably to the amount of time teachers in the United States spend working each week. The survey evaluated the time spent in the classroom and the time spent working at home. According to the survey, teachers worked between 55-63 hours per week depending on the level that they teach. Myth #2 ââ¬â Teachers have the entire summer off work. Yearly teaching contracts typically range from 175-190 days depending on the number of professional development days required by the state. Teachers generally receive about 2à ½ months for summer vacation. This does not mean they are not working. Most teachers will attend at least one professional development workshop during the summer, and many attend more. They utilize the summer to plan for the next year, read up on the latest educational literature, and pour through new curriculum that they will be teaching when the New Year begins. Most teachers also start showing up weeks in advance of the required reporting time to start preparing for the new year. They may be away from their students, but much of the summer is dedicated to improving in the next year. Myth #3 ââ¬â Teachers complain too often about their pay. Teachers feel underpaid because they are. According to the National Education Association, the average teacher salary in 2012-2013, in the United States, was $36,141. According to Forbes Magazine, 2013 graduates earning a bachelorââ¬â¢s degree would make an average of $45,000. Teachers with all ranges of experience make $9000 less a year on average than those beginning their career in another field. Many teachers have been forced to find part-time jobs in the evenings, on the weekends, and throughout the summer to supplement their income. Many states have beginning teacher salaries below the poverty level forcing those who have mouths to feed to get government assistance to survive. Myth #4 ââ¬â Teachers want to eliminate standardized testing. Most teachers do not have an issue with standardized testing itself. Students have been taking standardized tests every year for several decades. Teachers have utilized testing data to drive classroom and individual instruction for years. Teachers appreciate having the data and apply it to their classroom. The high stakes testing era has changed a lot of the perception of standardized testing. Teacher evaluations, high school graduation, and student retention are just a few of the things that are now tied to these tests. Teachers have been forced to sacrifice creativity and to ignore teachable moments to ensure that they cover everything their students will see on these tests. They waste weeks and sometimes months of class time doing comprehension test prep activities to prepare their students. Teachers are not afraid of standardized testing itself, they are afraid of how the results are now used. Myth #5 ââ¬â Teachers are opposed to the Common Core State Standards. Standards have been around for years. They will always exist in some form. They are blueprints for teachers based on grade level and subject matter. Teachers value standards because it gives them a central path to follow as they move from point A to point B. The Common Core State Standards are no different. They are another blueprint for teachers to follow. There are some subtle changes that many teachers would like to make, but they truly are not much different than what most states have been using for years. So what are teachers opposed to? They are opposed to the testing tied the Common Core. They already loathe the overemphasis on standardized testing and believe the Common Core will increase that emphasis even more. Myth #6 ââ¬â Teachers only teach, because they cannot do anything else. Teachers are some of the smartest people I know. It is frustrating that there are people in the world that actually believe that teaching is an easy profession full of people that are incapable of doing anything else. Most become teachers because they love working with young people and want to make an impact. It takes an exceptional person and those who consider it glorified ââ¬Å"babysittingâ⬠would be shocked if they shadowed a teacher for a few days. Many teachers could pursue other career paths with less stress and more money, but choose to stay in the profession because they want to be a difference maker. Myth #7 ââ¬â Teachers are out to get my child. Most teachers are there because they genuinely care for their students. For the most part, they are not out to get a child. They have a certain set of rules and expectations that every student is expected to follow. The chances are decent that the child is the issue if you think the teacher is out to get them. No teacher is perfect. There may be times that we come down too hard on a student. This often results out of frustration when a student refuses to respect the rules of the classroom. However, this does not mean we are out to get them. It means that we care enough about them to correct the behavior before it becomes uncorrectable. Myth #8 ââ¬â Teachers are responsible for my childââ¬â¢s education. Parents are any childââ¬â¢s greatest teacher. Teachers only spend a few hours each day over the course of a year with a child, but parents spend a lifetime. In reality, it takes a partnership between parents and teachers to maximize a studentââ¬â¢s learning potential. Neither parents nor teachers can do it alone. Teachers want a healthy partnership with parents. They understand the value that parents bring. They are frustrated by parents who believe they have little to no role in their childââ¬â¢s education other than making them go to school. Parents should understand that they are limiting their childââ¬â¢s education when they do not get involved. Myth #9 ââ¬â Teachers are continuously opposed to change. Most teachers embrace change when it is for the better. Education is a continuously changing field. Trends, technology, and new research are continuously evolving and teachers do a decent job of keeping up with those changes. What they fight against is bureaucratic policy that forces them to do more with less. In recent years, class sizes have increased, and school funding has decreased, but teachers are expected to produce greater results than at any time. Teachers want more than the status quo, but they want to be properly equipped to fight their battles successfully. Myth #10 ââ¬â Teachers are not like real people. Students get used to seeing their teachers in ââ¬Å"teacher modeâ⬠day in and day out. It is hard sometimes to think of them as real people who have lives outside of school. Teachers are often held to a higher moral standard. We are expected to behave a certain way at all times. However, we are very much real people. We have families. We have hobbies and interests. We have lives outside of school. We make mistakes. We laugh and tell jokes. We like to do the same things everyone else likes to do. We are teachers, but we are people too.
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