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  • The Importance of Role Models

    The Importance of Role Models

    The term role model gets thrown around a lot. Celebrities are usually considered role models, based simply on their status in society. But what does the term really mean and what does it take to be a good role model?

    Role models are people others want to imitate; someone who is admired and who others want to be like. A good role model should help you get motivated. They should help you develop the skills and abilities necessary to succeed in your chosen field (sports, arts, business, sciences, politics etc.).

    They can be famous or notable people or someone you know from your daily life, like a teacher, coach, parent or friend. Anyone who inspires you to be the best person you can be could be considered a good role model.

    It is important to have people to look-up to. They can help you make important decisions that will impact the rest of your life; like whether or not to continue your education or what career path to take.

    Role models can help show you how to live. They can help guide you in making good decisions, and can teach you the importance of hard work, self-confidence and how to become a productive member of society. Looking up to a successful person will help make you successful. Seeing how someone else accomplished their goals provides a path for you to do the same.

    An example of a good role model could be Mala Yousafzai. She is a 17 year-old activist from Mingora, Pakistan. In 2012 she defied the Taliban by insisting girls be allowed to receive an education. For speaking out for women’s rights and standing up for her beliefs she was shot on her way home from school. She survived and continued her fight. In 2014, she was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and won, making her the youngest recipient of the award in history. Mala took a tragic event and turned it into awareness. Her ability to stick to her beliefs in the face of overwhelming obstacles shows a confidence and resilience that is admirable, making her someone to look up to.

    Whatever your interests or whoever you choose to be your role model, make sure they have a few of the following traits:

    • Confidence
    • Leadership
    • Respectful
    • Knowledgeable
    • Empathetic
    • Passionate
    • Humility
    • Charitable
    • Moral
    • Hardworking

    But remember, even though it’s good to have someone to aspire to, it is just as important to be you. Don’t become someone else. You are meant to be your own unique person. Don’t loose that.

  • How Does a Teacher Become a Teacher?

    How Does a Teacher Become a Teacher?

    Have you ever been sitting in class wondering exactly how your teacher became your teacher?

    Well, most public school teachers obtain a Bachelor of Education degree (BEd) from a university. Some specialize in one subject matter, such as Art, Health, Science, Drama, Math, Music, Social Studies, Physical Education and Guidance and Counseling. Some train in a specific grade level, like early-childhood education, elementary school (including kindergarten) and middle or high school. Most teachers experience a wide range of subject matter (usually referred to as “teachable” subjects.)

    Teachers also need to obtain a teaching certificate from the province they are teaching in to certify they are qualified to do so.

    The University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, for example, offers an education program that requires students to already have a Bachelor’s degree in order to get accepted. The education program lasts 11 months and consists of taking classes and completing a work study program – meaning that, in order to complete the program, all students need to work in a classroom as a student teacher.

    The minimum passing letter grade at UNB is a C. All teachers who graduate from UNB need to have a C or higher average, and a GPA (Grade Point Average) of at least 2.7.

    Aside from education and on the job training, it is also necessary for teachers to possess certain qualities in order to be successful. Teachers should be sensitive to the needs of students. They have to be trustworthy and patient (as all students learn at their own pace). They need to be organized and good at time management. They need to be on-time every day, creative, motivational and good communicators.

    So, the next time you are sitting in class wondering how your teacher is qualified to teach you, remember they have studied and worked for many years to get the skills and training needed to do so.

  • Professional Associations: Editors and More

    Professional Associations: Editors and More

    What kind of job do you want after you finish your education? Do you want to work in a profession like teaching, law or editing? If so, you can already start to find out more about how you can prepare for your future job. One way of doing that is by joining a professional association. Through the association you might be able to find good contacts, learn what you need to know to work in your field, and gain many good insights into your chosen profession.

    Most jobs have some kind of group that helps to connect people with each other and to give them the information on improving their work. In some professions, membership in these associations is required before people can begin their careers. These associations help to make sure their members work at a high standard and often offer training courses to help keep each member’s knowledge is as up-to-date as possible. Doctors’ and nurses’ associations are some examples. In other professions, membership is voluntary.

    Whether membership in a professional association is voluntary or required, it can be worth the time and effort to join as soon as possible. Meeting with others and having the chance to discuss professional questions can be a very valuable experience. Editors, for example, frequently work alone and often need people in a professional association for support and information.

    Many professional associations provide courses and short workshops on topics related to the work for people to maintain their skills and to learn new techniques. The Editors’ Association of Canada and the Manitoba Editors’ Association, for example, offer a variety of seminars and workshops on writing, editing, and computer skills. Many associations also give members a chance to discuss specific questions they have regarding their work.
    Through a professional association, you can learn a lot about what it takes to work in that field. Do you think you might want to be a lawyer or an engineer someday? Before you commit to a long and expensive university program, it might be a good idea to learn as much as you can about the work. A professional association is also a good place to start to make contacts with people who might be able to help you find work in the future. In some cases, what you learn about the advantages and disadvantages of the profession might even help you decide between two different careers.

    How soon can you join a professional association? It depends on the group, but you’ll probably need to finish high school and maybe even a few years of university before you can become a member. However, you can probably still attend some of the association’s events, such as the annual general meeting, before becoming a member. Another thing to consider is the association’s membership fees. Most associations require payment for membership, but these are usually lower for students than for other members.

    Being part of a professional association might seem expensive, but the experience can be very rewarding!

  • Teachers Are People Too

    Teachers Are People Too

    Contrary to popular belief teachers can be useful outside of the classroom by assisting you with everything from career advice, to acting as a source of reference for the next step in your education.

    Teachers are  one of the biggest influences during your education. They spark interest and provide knowledge on subjects that will help you narrow future academic and career paths; pay attention to them!

    Like guidance councilors, teachers can be used as a resource source when planning for your future.

    It is important to keep in contact with past teachers during your first year of post-secondary education. Don’t be afraid to go back to high school to discuss questions and concerns you have about your new academic institution. They will be more than happy to help.

    Teachers have been through a lot of work to complete their education and secure themselves jobs. Don’t think twice about asking them about the steps they took when entering post-secondary education and what decisions they had to make in their career to get where they are now. It is okay to be curious. They may have encountered similar issues that they can help you with and can also assist in avoiding the problems that they have seen during their own educational experience.

    Teachers can not only give you good advice about their past educational endeavors, they are also a useful resource during your undertaking of post-secondary education and beyond. To apply to the majority of colleges, universities require you to have a letter of recommendation, or other referential documents in order to be accepted into their facilities.

    Teachers can be one of the most reliable and reputable references to acquire during such applications. So if you are short on references, don’t stress, you’ve had one all along.

    A reference from a teacher may also help you land a part or full-time job as well! Once again, don’t be afraid to ask them for their assistance.

    If your career path is geared towards becoming an educator your first stop should be a discussion with your past teachers.

    Many teacher colleges highly recommend their applicants to have a certain amount of teaching or “observation” hours in order for you to be accepted. In fact, up to 200 hours (which is split into 100 hours in two different teachable subjects) of teaching experience is a standard requirement for teacher college applicants.

    A past teacher may be able to give you these observation hours so you can get a better understanding of the job. Doing these hours not only allows you to profit from gaining valuable knowledge required for the educational field, but also provides an eye- opening encounter to what teaching is like on the educator’s side of the desk. Completing these hours could possibly let you discover if the career is right for you, so doing them as early as possible should be considered.

    Remember, your teachers are people too, and have most likely went through a similar path into college/university that you are about to partake in. It just goes to show, even when you finish high school, you are not finished learning from your teachers just yet.