Category: Career

Introduction & Family Background

Ulysses S. Grant was born in the Point Pleasant in the U.S. state of Ohio on April 27, 1822. Like any other child in the Americas Frontier, he grew up helping his family with daily house chores, riding on horses, and fishing. He developed much interest with horses and his father identified his talent in riding horses. Grant went to school and later grew up to joining the U.S. military. He eventually ascended to the presidency becoming then the youngest President of the United States of America. Though his life, he was generally marked by failures, he stood strong in his leadership president.

Ulysses was the first-born son to Jesse Root Grant and Hannah Simpson Grant. He was also a brother to three sisters and two brothers. His father was a tanner and a businessperson. Grant never liked the stench and the filth that emanated from the family business, an important perspective that would later shape events in his life.

Education

Ulysses joined the United States Military Academy at a tender age of 17 years in 1839. This was after his father realized that his son could not make a good businessperson as he was. Though he was resistant to leave for school, he could not change his fathers mind. On arrival at school, Ulysses realized that there was no one in the list of the newly admitted cadets who had a name that sounded like his. This prompted him to change his name to Ulysses S. Grant. While in school, he showed little promise. However, he had outstanding performance in mathematics and horsemanship, which he had always proven to be his best subject. He later graduated 21^st out of 39 members of cadets. However, his plan was working in the military and later resigning after serving his tour of duty.

Military Career

Grant was very much involved in the Mexican wars while serving under Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. He served as quartermaster and was charged with the responsibility of monitoring supplies. Under this position, he took the advantage of his leaders and observed keenly their leadership skills and military tactics. By the time the war was ending, Ulysses had risen to the rank of a lieutenant. He would serve in the military until 1854 when he resigned and pursued his other interests including farming.

When the civil war broke out in 1861, Ulysses rejoined the military and played a more senior role as a battlefield commander. He was also the colonel of the 21^st Illinois Infantry.. His heroics in the war eventually helped him rise to the rank of major general. He was eventually to take charge as the commander of all Union forces.

Presidency

While the nation was healing after war in 1868, the Republicans nominated Grant as their presidential candidate. Under his slogan Let Us Have Peace, he garnered 53% of the popular vote and 72% of the electoral vote, giving him victory against his Democrat opponent Horatio Seymour.

During his term in office, Grant worked to reconcile the North and the South as well as reconstruct the nations economy that had been damaged during the war. However, his term in the White House is not renowned for anything positive. Instead, his administration is famous for numerous financial scandals attributed to members of his party.

Besides being accused of protecting his personal aide, it was alleged that Grants secretary of war W.W, Belknap was involved in some fraudulent cash transactions with traders.

However, Grants administration was not a total failure as he posted some outstanding achievements especially the successful passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1875, which eventually ensured that African Americans would be given the same treatment as whites. There was also the development of National Park Service.

Post-Presidential Life

Ulysses S. Grant retired from his politics in 1877. He engaged himself and family in tours around the world. Being the most famous American of his time, he welcomed by world leaders and like Emperor and Empress of Japan. Most importantly, he was welcomed with cheers by people in all places he toured.

He later settled In Illinois and assisted his son in developing a brokerage firm, which later went bankrupt. Grant eventually ended up writing memoirs to raise funds for the upkeep of his family. He later succumbed to throat cancer on July 23, 1885.

Admiration

Grant stood his ground on matters of war. He was an opportunist who utilized his position as a quartermaster to observe skills and war tactics from his bosses. He was concerned about his family and that is why he kept moving with his new wed wife at his early stages in military. He even took her for tours on his retirement. Furthermore, he assisted in raising his sons funds to develop a brokerage firm. On his failure, he was still determined to sell his memoirs to raise funds for his wife upkeep.

Lastly, during his governance, he was able to push for amendments of the Act that advocated for equality of African Americans.

Conclusion

Despite Grants outstanding military career, he did not enter the annals of history as one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States of America. During his term as president, his administration could achieve much than the financial scandals that tainted his legacy.

Bibliography

Barber, James. U.S. Grant: The Man and the Image, with an essay by John Y. Simon. Washington, D.C.: Southern Illinois Press, 1985.

Broadwater, Robert. Ulysses S. Grant. New York: Routledge, 2012.

Dunn, Joeming. Ulysses S. Grant: 18th U.S. President. London: Sage Publishers, 2009.

Williams, Jean. Ulysses S. Grant. New York: Cengage, 2002.

Introduction

The Renaissance produced a brilliant thinker in the person of Isaac Newton and for two hundred years after his mind-boggling description of astronomy and physics his work formed the basis for various scientific theories with regards to physics. Newton was one of the key pioneers in the transition from astrology to astronomy and he formulated scientific laws that assisted scientists and ordinary people to understand the intricacies of planetary motions and how objects behaved in relation in the context of gravitational pull. However, a couple of centuries later, an unlikely game changer emerged and changed the way people perceived astrophysics. Einstein challenged the status quo and revealed gaps in Newtonian physics. Einstein changed the world. He influenced generations of scientists and space explorers. In the present time, he is considered as one of the most popular and beloved scientists who ever lived.

Background

His parents Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch Einstein welcomed a healthy baby boy on March 14, 1879. Baby Einstein was born under the auspices of the Kingdom of Wurttemberg in the German Empire. Both his parents were Jewish. His early struggle with a speech impediment and his rebellion against authorities compelled many people to conclude that he was a slow learner and that he would amount to nothing. Maja Einstein, his younger sister, remarked that Albert Einstein did not learn how to talk until he was more than two years old and this was a major source of concern for their parents. She said that his older brother had such a difficulty with language and those around him feared that he may never be as successful as his father.

His slow development when it comes to language was exacerbated by his cheeky rebelliousness. One schoolmaster sent him packing and another schoolmaster warned him that he would never succeed in life. But they were all wrong because, underneath the struggles, Einstein had a strong foundation in science, thanks in part to his father and relatives who inspired him and influenced him to become a scientist.

His father was an engineer and when Einstein was five years old his father and uncle founded an electrical manufacturing firm. It was also at this time when his father gave him a compass and when he looked into the compass, he realized that there must be an invisible power out there and the reason why his compass needle pointed North. Another defining moment in his life occurred when he was ten years old. A visiting medical student named Max Talmud introduced him to Euclids book entitled Elements. Later on, Einstein referred to this masterpiece as the holy little geometry book.

Although he had a brilliant mind, he had trouble finishing his studies. He finally graduated in 1900 and earned a degree in physics. After graduation, he cannot find a job at the university and decided to work at the patent office in Bern, Switzerland in 1902. He married Mileva Maric in 1903. It is interesting to note that while working in the patent office Einstein was able to publish extraordinary scientific papers. In one of the most groundbreaking papers he published, he discussed the equivalence of mass and energy and produced an equation that is forever associated to his name.

He became an international figure in 1919 when a team of British astronomers led by Arthur Eddington was able to confirm one of his theories. The said astronomers were able to observe the gravitational deflection of starlight by the Sun during an eclipse and this discovery proved Einsteins theory about gravity and light. As a result, Einstein was awarded the 1921 Nobel Prize in physics.

Achievements

His greatest achievements were the formulation of the Theory of Relativity and to provide the solution to what he perceived as gaps to Newtonian physics. Thus, it is important to understand Newtons worldview and its significance to the scientific community in the modern era to correctly appreciate what Einstein did to revolutionize the world of physics.

Newtonian physics is anchored on three absolutes. First, Newton believed that time is constant in every part of the universe. Second, he believed that an object takes up the same amount of space no matter where it is located in the universe. Finally, Newton asserted that the mass of the object remains constant. Based on these absolutes Newton theorized that gravity is the force of attraction between objects and that the gravitational pull between objects was dependent on mass and distance. At that time these ideas were revolutionary because it enabled scientists to understand scientific principles that in turn allowed them to develop engines, rockets, weapons, etc. For example, the Wright brothers realized that in order for the airplane to fly it needed enough force to counteract the effect of gravity. At the same time, it enabled astronomers to understand planetary motions.

Newtonian physics was very helpful when objects were observed from earth. But when astronomers shifted their gaze to outer space they found gaps in Newtonian physics as demonstrated by the experiments conducted by British astronomer Arthur Eddington. Starlight was deflected by the Sun and surely there must be another explanation for this phenomenon. Einstein offered an explanation and provided another explanation for the action of gravitation force. He said, Gravity is the manifestation of spacetime curvature. In other words, Einstein was able to prove that gravity is not only the result of the mass of the object but it is also affected by the energy and momentum of the object. This realization compelled Einstein to assert that a smaller object is not attracted to a bigger object because of gravity but due to the fact that spacetime curves in response to an object in its path. In other words, a massive object can warp spacetime and smaller objects in the vicinity are affected by the effect of this change and as a result its relation to the warping of spacetime influences its behavior. Einsteins discovery transformed the way astrophysicists understand interplanetary motion and the behavior of objects in space.

Death and Legacy

A decade before his death Einstein became controversial because of his actions in relation to Nazi Germany and the fate of the Jewish people. Together with Jewish refugees, he persuaded President Roosevelt to develop atomic bombs before Hitler did. This work led to the establishment of the Manhattan Project and ended with the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He was deeply saddened by the turn of events, especially when he learned of the horrific effect of the atomic bombs on the two Japanese cities that were obliterated in 1945. Einstein made it known that he did not participate in the development of the atomic bomb and regretted the day he wrote the letter to Roosevelt. On the day he died, he suffered from internal bleeding due to aneurysm. He died in 1955 but he already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest thinkers of the 20^th century.

Bibliography

Isaacson, Walter. Einstein: His Life and Universe. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2007.

Kusky, Timothy. Encyclopedia of Earth and Space Science. New York: Facts on File, Inc., 2010.

Lambourne, Robert. Relativity, Gravitation and Cosmology. UK: Cambridge University Press, 2010.

McGlinn, William. Introduction to Relativity. MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003.

Parker, Katie. The Theory of Relativity. New York: Marshall Cavendish, 2010.

What is the future of dentistry industry?

Over the years, the industry has seen a rise in the demand of fro dental services. It has been occasioned by population growth and the lifestyle of people that expose them to dental ailments. This could be due to the food they eat or their hygiene level. Also, there has been a remarkable improvement in the equipment and procedures, thanks to improved technology. The dental professionals will be familiarizing themselves with these procedures and equipment in order to better their services.

Who can join the dentistry profession?

Anybody can the profession as long as they passed their high school. There are various entry criteria into the profession. Graduates in any field will be required to complete a five year cause. Graduates who have done biomedical services can be exempted some module.

What conditions do dentists work under?

Most dentists go solo. Some start businesses on their own yet others form partnerships. These are responsible for creating their own working conditions. Those in public service work for to five days on average. Dentistry is a well paying career.

Introduction

Dentistry is a fascinating discipline, you only need to reflect on the role played by dentists in, for example, putting the smile back on the face a child who has had to deal with a case of cleft lip condition. The manner in which the dentists go about their work with a lot of attention to detail and in a meticulous way just shows how dentistry, like the rest of the other field in medicine, is deeply rooted in ethics of medicine, and which the practitioners have to abide by.

With recent technological advancement, a visit to the dentists is not a nasty experience any more. The equipment developed in the recent years put the comfort of the client into consideration. Owing to the embracing of technology by the dentistry discipline, what then, therefore, does the future holds for dentistry?

Joining dentistry

You can join dentistry any time, even after your college studies. One does not also have to have studied dentistry related courses at the college. With any college degree and a good pass at the high school level, one can be guaranteed of a place in any college for dentistry (Department of Health 2004). According to NHS Careers, Applicants with non-science A levels can apply for dental degrees with the additional pre-dental year. These courses are six years in length (para. 4).

There are others alternative qualifications too. Graduates holding VCE and Scottish qualifications are welcome to apply for a course in dentistry. On the other hand, individual who already are in possession of another degree might as well be eligible for the standard degree course that takes a maximum of five years.

Before they may be considered for eligibility however, one of the requirements is that such individuals should have attained a grade of an upper-second class degree and a good score at A level grades close to the admitting institutions standard requirements (College Grad para. 5).

According to NHS Careers, most training institutions offer a four- year accelerated programs for graduates who hold degrees in biology and chemistry. Graduates who have studied biomedical sciences are given a preference here. These are general requirements for many colleges however and a prospective student should familiarize himself/herself with the college requirements at the universities they wish to apply. It is never too late to study dentistry and one can apply to study it at any point in your career (para. 3).

What the working conditions for the dentist?

Labor Bureau of Statistics (as cited in Health Guide USA) informs us that most dental practitioners prefer to go solo in their practice. This means they start their dental businesses with partners or alone. They can also employ support staff. The Labor Bureau of Statistics reports:

Most dentists work 4 or 5 days a week. Some work evenings and weekends to meet their patients needs. The number of hours worked varies greatly among dentists. Most full-time dentists work between 35 and 40 hours a week. However, others, especially those who are trying to establish a new practice, work more. Also, experienced dentists often work fewer hours. It is common for dentists to continue pursuing part-time practice well beyond the usual retirement age (Labor Bureau of Statistics para. 4).

What is the future of dentistry?

Just like in any other career, dentistry will have to address itself to changing times. In the future, the dentistry schools will have to &expand efforts to recruit into and retain individuals in dental profession careers. Ideally, the dental workforce should reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of the general population (American Dental Association 6).

The dentistry profession will also be addressing itself to the changing technology. New equipment is developed every time, and it is the duty of practitioners to keep track of these, adopting them to the comfort of their clients. This new technology will also avail services that were previously too costly for the general public to afford at an affordable price thanks to the advanced technology.

According to the American Dental Association, An important factor related to the demand for dental services, and thus access, is the availability, extent and character of third party financing for services. Individuals who value dental services are willing, under certain conditions, to have prepayment plans purchased on their behalf by their employers (12).

The dental practitioners thus will be required in the future to engage employers with scheme the scheme in the hope that their employees shall benefit on a broader scale in terms of dental health that is the case today (Bureau of Labour Statistics 2009). Already, there are indications that this is the way to go. These employers are the greatest purchasers of dental services.

They seek to provide employees with desired benefits while at the same time attempting to control the costs of fringe benefits for their companies. More attention should be focused to them in the future. The government is likely to offer incentives in the future to encourage more people to join the dental industry due to the growing demands of these services.

What does the work of a dentist entail?

Have you ever paused to consider what a dentists work entails? Well, the dentists are responsible for the oral hygiene and health of their clients. Besides the role they play in disease diagnosis and treatment, dentists are also involved in attending to malformations and injuries of the teeth and mouth with a view to enhancing the appearance of a patient through the use of diverse cosmetic dental procedures.

Some of the surgical procedures normally performed by dental surgeons include tissue grafts, implants as well as extractions. In addition, it is the responsibility of dentist to education their patients on the best methods of dental care if at all they are to keep dental oral diseased at bay. Other than hygiene issues, medical complications and routine checkups, dentists also take part in aesthetics activities.

Various procedures like teeth bonding and bleaching are done to them, enhancing their looks. This is another thing I find fascinating about dentistry. You can change the life of a person completely by giving them a reason to smile! Uneven teeth shapes and decays could suffer to lack of self confidence while speaking to other people.

One could fail to give their best in a date or a job interview. Instead, such a persons preoccupation might be to conceal their tarnished teeth. The dentists have a solution for these. They can restore the self esteem of the persons involved with simple and affordable procedures.

It is estimated that dentists make a mean annual wage of $ 154270 per annum (Bureau of Labor Statistics 2009). This places dentistry amongst most rewarding careers. The Labor Bureau of Statistics further volunteers that dentists in private practice earn more than their colleagues in civil service.

This can be a good source of motivation for people to join the profession. You may want to ask why some dentists remain in public service while their counterparts make a lot of money on their own. Partly this has to do how enterprising the individuals in question are. The other reason is the high cost of equipment used in dentistry, and the high standards people in private service must meet in order for their business to be registered. This requires a huge capital outlay.

Conclusion

There are many career options available to the dentist. More than 80 % of the dentists are involved in general practitioners responsibilities, while nearly 20 % tends to preoccupy themselves with the various specialized dental surgery areas, totaling to nine. The areas of dental research, teaching as well as specializing in a given dental area of study constitute additional career paths that either a dental specialist or a general practitioner might consider pursuing.

Dentists are also involved in hospital work, in public health agencies, and the military, among a number of other setting (Gallagher, Resmi and Nairan 4). The dental professionals fraternity pride itself to be an observer of high ethical standards and quality driven services to the clients.

The future looks bright for dentistry, owing to the integration of information technology into the field. As a result, a lot of the practitioners are now better able to attend to increasingly large number of cases, even those from remote areas. This is therefore a major boost to dental health.

Works Cited

American Dental Association. Future dentistry-executive summary. Chicago: American Dental Association, Health Policy Resource Center., 2006. Print. Web.

Bureau of Labour Statistics., 2009. Dental Working Conditions. Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2008 Edition). Web.

College Grad. Degree Programs for Dentists: Online and Campus School. 2010. Web.

Department of Health. Implementing a Scheme for Dentists with Special Interests (DwSIs). London:Department of Health & Faculty of GDPUK; 2004. Print.

Gallagher, Jennifer, Resmi, Patel and Nairan, Wilson.The emerging workforce: long-term career expectations and influences. A quantitative study of final year dental students views on their long-term career from one London dental school. 2009. Web.

NHS Careers. Entry Requirements to become a Dentist. 2010. Web.

Introduction

Nursing is often associated with a variety of emergency situations. My Leader Mentor has always stressed that being prepared for an emergency situation can guarantee that the staff will effectively solve the issues. For instance, my Leader Mentor has always paid special attention to fire precaution and she makes sure the staff knows what to do in such an emergency situation. It is necessary to note that my Leader Mentor has always stressed the importance of proper training and education as she claims novice nurses should be aware of a variety of emergency situations and be able to respond to them effectively.

Fire Precaution and Other Emergency Situations

It is necessary to note that many health care professionals often neglect the importance of some safety measures. My Leader Mentor told me about numerous cases when she had persuaded her colleagues to be more responsible. She has often made nurses answer her questions concerning emergency situations. It often turned out that nurses are unprepared for such typical emergency as fire. My Leader Mentor stressed that even such brief enquiries made the staff more responsible as nurses had to learn certain regulations.

She also noted that these occasional enquiries do not suffice. Therefore, she has initiated a number of simulations and discussions on the matter. Remarkably, these discussions revealed the gaps and health care professionals had to accept the need to read the existing regulations and add certain rules. Admittedly, nurses can find themselves in diverse emergency situations (Ranse, Shaban, Considine, Hammad, Arbon, Mitchell, & Lenson, 2013, p. 58). Nonetheless, fire is one of the most probable in the present facility.

Proper Training

Notably, training plays a pivotal role in development of effective nurses. Sullivan (2012) stresses that nurses can face emergency situations, but they are often unprepared due to the lack of training. Amer (2013) also states that nurses should get proper education as well as continuous training (during their careers) to be ready for a variety of situations. My Mentor Leader stresses that each facility should have periodic training. Moreover, each facility should have a set of regulations which cover all aspects including emergency situations. My Leader Mentor notes that she has been involved in development of such regulations in the present hospital. Remarkably, Bimal et al. (2009) mention that the lack of such regulations often leads to numerous negative outcomes. The researchers emphasize that nurses should acquire emergency training in nursing schools (Bimal, Kalia, Singhi, & Kaur, 2009, p. 102).

The types of disaster preparedness provided in the Mentors facility are rather diverse, which allows for certain flexibility and the choice of the method that seems the most appropriate in a particular situation. Likewise, the networking avenues are quite diverse, including providing instructions on Facebook, giving important notices on Twitter and sharing stories on disaster prevention on Blogger. The given set of methods allows for not only providing people with instructions, but also gathering feedback and sharing experience. However, as Amer explains, The ability to utilize and master these opportunities has become increasingly challenging (Amer, 2013, p. vi).

Nevertheless, my Leader manages to address all critical issues for her facility timely and efficiently. While some issues might leap through the cracks once in a while, on the whole, the integration of news, rules and online communication helps solve the emerging issues efficiently. As my Mentor explained me, such coherency in the actions of the staff has been achieved by defining the standards for a succession plan. Every new mentor not only learns the strategies adopted by the previous ones, but also outlines his/her major discoveries and suggestions regarding disaster prevention. In addition, my Mentor stated clearly that the instructions listed in the text, while quite viable, still provide rather general information and that real life experience is just as important as the knowledge of the theory.

Response to Peers

Response to Christopher B.

Hi, Chris! I agree with your opinion regarding disaster prevention, because it is crucial that people should come prepared for a disaster when one comes. I also find it important that your paper not only stresses the necessity for disaster preparation, but also lists the key scenarios that are to be followed in a case of disaster. It is a wise idea to stress that getting ready for disasters takes not only training and careful plan development, but also considerable costs for specific equipment and safety provision. By embracing a number of aspects concerning preparation for a disaster, your paper points at the role of the leader of the organization in the given preparation, which often seems to be underrated. Hence, emphasizing the role of the organization leader makes your paper and its key argument all the stronger.

Response to Wendy S.

Hi, Wendy. I disagree with your opinion, because I believe that a nursing practitioner does have to be ready to tackle the issues related to disasters. While the paper does stress the uniqueness of the environment within a rural part of the state, it still clearly diminishes the role of a NP in the process of developing measures to be undertaken in case of a disaster, which does not seem right. Technically, your argument does have the point, since a NP is not usually assigned with the responsibility of designing an action plan for the case of a disaster; however, this does not mean that a NP should avoid learning about the possible avenues of facing the disasters that are typical for a rural area.

According to numerous researches, most of nurses found it beneficial in terms of availability of written guidelines for managing pediatric emergencies at their own (Bimal, Kalia, Singhi, & Kaur, 2009, p. 106). Every health organization must be able to prepare to the instance of a disaster, which means that every single member of the staff must know what actions to undertake. Hence, a NP also has to learn about the set of rules and requirements suggested in case of a disaster striking.

Conclusion

To sum up, I have learnt a lot from my Leader Mentor. I have acknowledged the importance of training in hospital. I understand that nurses are at front line during any emergency situations. Hence, nurses should be ready to respond to numerous emergency situations. I agree with my Leader Mentor and I think students of medical schools should acquire the necessary knowledge on the matter. More so, such training cannot stop in their working place. Each facility should have certain set of regulations where the most probable emergency situations are covered. Nurses should be aware of the ways to react in this or that situation. Importantly, the set of regulations should be reviewed yearly. I am committed to get involved in development of regulations in my future working place.

Reference List

Amer, K.S. (2013). Quality and safety for transformational nursing: Core competencies. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Web.

Bimal, S., Kalia, R., Singhi, S., & Kaur, S. (2009). Development of nursing management protocol for pediatric emergencies. Nursing and Midwifery Research Journal, 5(2), 101-106. Web.

Ranse, J., Shaban Z.R., Considine, J., Hammad, K., Arbon, P., Mitchell, B., & Lenson, S. (2013). Disaster content in Australian tertiary postgraduate emergency nursing courses: A survey. Australian Emergency Nursing Journal, 16(1), 58-63. Web.

Sullivan, E.J. (2012). Effective leadership and management in nursing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Web.

Stephanie Rich: Practitioner of My Choice

Stephanie Rich: Overview

In this report, I will analyze Stephanie Rich as the practitioner of my choice. She is a professional in the field of health promotion. Bunton and Macdonald (2002, p. 7) provide a working definition of health promotion. Bunton and Macdonald define this concept as an avenue through which the health of people is improved by providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge. The need for social justice and health equality are what motivated Rich to take the said career path. The two are significant issues as far as public health is concerned.

The Roles Played by Rich

A career in health promotion involves interaction with members of the community in their natural environment (Bunton & Macdonald 2002, p. 7). Currently, Rich is involved in the promotion of oral health among refugees in Victoria, Australia. Her work revolves around the provision of services related to this type of health.

The Organisation that Rich Works for

Currently, Stephanie Rich is working with the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (herein referred to as VFST). As a public health practitioner, one is expected to work with vulnerable individuals and communities (Bunton & Macdonald 2002, p. 13). Such groups include refugees, the elderly, and the girl child in some communities. Consequently, VFST is a suitable place for such a career. Since her time in school, Rich had a passion for working with vulnerable groups in society. The passion may explain her current position in the organization.

The Role of VFST in the Community

According to the Foundation House (n.d), VFST is a charitable organization working in Australia. VFST is non-partisan. Consequently, the organization carries out community health programs in regions characterized by cultural diversity. The foundations principal objective involves the provision of health-related services to refugees in the region. The refugees are mostly torture victims. In addition to community health, the organization is engaged in policy and research. It is also involved in service innovation and direct outreach health services.

Lessons Learnt

The text by Bunton and Macdonald (2002, p. 67) helps one to appreciate the work done by Rich. The most important lesson learned is that a career in health promotion requires adequate knowledge of communicable diseases. When I get to interview this practitioner, I would seek to find out her success rate in the programs she offers. I would also determine the most common ailments she encounters in the field, and the measures she takes to address them.

Personal Career in Health Promotion: A Reflection

Interesting Aspects with Regards to my Future Career

Upon the completion of my studies, I intend to align my career path with health promotion. Specifically, I intend to focus on health promotion in conflict zones. During conflicts, it is a fact that displaced persons have no access to basic social and health amenities. Such persons are usually affected by a myriad of diseases that pose a risk to their overall survival. Such diseases include, among others, polio and cholera (Bunton & Macdonald 2002, p. 34). In such instances, my major objective will be the promotion of preventive healthcare. According to Bunton and Macdonald (2002, p. 33), this form of healthcare is easier to handle and more affordable compared to a curative form of healthcare.

While working in a conflict zone, my key roles will be to train the displaced persons on proper hygiene. According to Bunton and Macdonald (2002, p. 56), proper hygiene is a fast and efficient way of minimizing the contraction and spread of diseases. It is an effective way of combating such communicable diseases as cholera and typhoid. Another preventive form of health service I would like to be involved in is the distribution of vaccines, especially among children and other groups that are vulnerable to contagious diseases.

Diseases like polio tend to spread fast when many people are enclosed in a small space, like in a refugee camp. The situation is made worse by poor sanitation under such conditions. By formulating and implementing vaccine programs, stakeholders in public health will be able to minimize the spread of such communicable diseases.

I find a career in health promotion fulfilling, hence my desire to take this path. Bunton and Macdonald (2002, p. 59) point out that outreach programs in health promotion help many people to access healthcare. The number of people who benefit from such programs is higher compared to that of people who access healthcare services from a conventional health facility. In addition, training on matters to do with hygiene reduces death cases.

My Future Career: Action Plan

The only way one can succeed in the field of health promotion is through the accumulation of knowledge and experience (Bunton & Macdonald 2002, p. 7). Consequently, I have a two-point action plan. While still in school, I will focus on courses that improve my social skills to enhance my interaction with new communities. Furthermore, I intend to engage in volunteer programs in cases of disaster. Such programs will help me gain more experience.

References

Bunton, R & Macdonald, G 2002, Health promotion disciplines, diversity, and developments, Routledge, London.

Foundation House n.d., Introducing Foundation House. Web.

Professional development for teachers in kindergartens is essential for quality education to be realized. There is a strong correlation between staff development and the quality of their teaching. Teaching in Kindergartens is a bit challenging because it is the next level just after early childhood care. Teachers at this level need to be equipped with the relevant skills to handle this category of pupils (Iverson, 2002).

Fundamental factors such as level of education of the teacher and the content of training the teacher received play a key role in determining the level of development a kindergarten teacher needs. The level of professional development of the teachers at the kindergarten stage plays a key role in the general development of pupils and the quality of education they receive at the end of the day. This paper will reflect on staff development in kindergartens.

The level of professional development can be measured in form of the formal education the teacher received in different courses and other forms of training such as workshops and seminars. The main focus is on the content of the coursework in all forms of training and the methods used to implement staff development mechanisms (Iverson, 2002). The behavior of the teacher in the classroom is fundamental in measuring their level of professional development.

Kindergarten programs should form the bulk of the courses and training these teachers receive for them to deliver quality education. Teaching in elementary schools requires some experience in pre-kindergarten programs since most of the pupils are still very tender and need the care of a child. Training programs outside the normal formal system help a great deal in the professional development of the staff in kindergartens.

There are some discrepancies in the qualifications of kindergarten teachers that need to be urgently addressed to breach the gap in qualifications of the kindergarten staff. The relevant authorities have the responsibility of ensuring that the kindergarten staff meets the current requirements of teaching in kindergartens (Iverson, 2002). Additional training has proved be very important in generating quality settings in classrooms.

Through extra training, the teachers are able to improve on their classroom language and stimulation in terms of reasoning (Joyce & Calhoun, 2010). The quality of the learning environment is greatly influenced by the professional development of the teacher. The models of staff development in kindergartens should constantly be revised to focus more on proximal factors such as practices and teacher attitude. The distal factors are not good enough to be used as a measure of professional development of a kindergarten teacher.

Staff development is also enhanced by better classroom resources together with other quality factors. Professional development is not only facilitated by educational qualification of the teacher but also the environment in which they work. A quality setting plays a major role in the professional development of a kindergarten teacher. The amount of salary the kindergarten teachers receives is also a major determinant of their general professional development.

Well paid kindergarten teachers will tend to have the required classroom attitude compared to underpaid teachers (Joyce & Calhoun, 2010). A good salary motivates the teacher to search for more knowledge and experience which are essential ingredients for professional development.

An integrated curriculum at the kindergarten level is also a major determinant in the professional development of a kindergarten teacher. The curriculum should integrate learning and practice which are essential factors in professional preparation of a kindergarten teacher.

There are some standards that need to be thoroughly observed in the process of staff development in kindergartens (Iverson, 2002). To begin with, the content of professional preparation should meet the current standards and should be based on the findings of a thoroughly done research. The standards followed in professional development should not only focus on mastering knowledge but should emphasize on the application of the acquired knowledge in daily activities of the kindergarten staff.

The implementation of the standard should be done by a process recognized and accredited by the relevant bodies responsible for verifying teacher education. The professional development of kindergarten teachers is a continuous process that follows the laid down standards of elementary teaching (Iverson, 2002).

The kindergarten staff should be encouraged to use assessments and family knowledge to improve the quality of learning and at the same time create valuable relationships. The kindergarten teachers have the responsibility of establishing a good relationship with their pupils in order to improve their responsiveness in class. A good relationship between the teacher and the pupils leads to professional development.

In conclusion, staff development in kindergartens is essential in improving the quality of education. Both distal and proximal factors should be used to evaluate the level of professional development of a kindergarten teacher.

Informal training received in workshops and seminars beyond the formal training system helps in professional development of the staff in kindergartens. Good wages and emphasis on the application of the acquired knowledge motivates the teachers and at the same time encourages them to look for ways of developing in their profession.

References

Iverson, N. (2002). Staff development and kindergarten reading achievement. New York, NY: University of Virginia.

Joyce, B. & Calhoun, E. (2010). Professional development: A celebration of educators. New York, NY: Corwin Press.

CCareer exploration and awareness plays a pivotal role in the gifted students education. It significantly helps students in roles, options, and opportunities that interest them in the field of work or in the community. To some extent, students differ significantly from each other.

Some of them are fast in learning while others are slow. Some have gender restrictions while others have social restrictions, which threaten their ability to achieve their goals. There are two broad categories of students. These include; gifted students on one side and those who are not on the other.

Gifted students demonstrate some unique abilities in various grounds. This can be through academic performance, reasoning and constructions, leadership or through music (Johnsen 2006). They show capability that is far above other students.

There are several challenges that gifted students face in their effort to maximize on their potential. This group of students sometimes comes across several issues and challenges in their effort to achieve recognition, gain acceptance, and access the necessary gifted students education in order to meet their individual needs.

In order for the students to learn effectively, it is advisable to have an effective learning, which promotes career exploration, and awareness that is appropriate and equitable to both genders of gifted students. Some of these problems include prejudices, stereotyping and other discriminatory aspects.

In some cases, some groups of certain gander of the gifted students need certain considerations while programming the curricular options (Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services Division of Public Schools Florida Department of Education 2008).

This is because the gifted students may sometimes be subjected to threats, which can undermine their performance or their ability. It is therefore necessary to understand the prejudice and stereotyping that affects gifted boys and girls students.

In teaching gifted students, it is advisable for the teachers to set objectives or specify the skills as well as the information to be learnt. This step in preparation of a lesson is important as it ensures that all the intended information reaches the students. The objectives should be set in such away that they favor every student despite of their gender.

In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the necessary information is given or demonstrated. By so doing, it becomes easier for the students with varying degrees of giftedness to get all the appropriate information.

While passing this information to the students, it is advisable for the teachers to take into consideration the gender aspects. The information should be provided in such a way that it does not discriminate any gender of the gifted student. For instance, it should be free from prejudices and any form of discrimination.

In the process of teaching, it is necessary for the teacher to verify whether the students are understanding or have understood what is being taught. This ensures that there is no any particular student left behind in the process. Although gifted students get and understand things very fast, sometimes the teacher may be misunderstood. Therefore, it is necessary to verify in order to avoid such confusions.

Previous study reveals that teachers expect more from boys than from their female counterparts (Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services Division of Public Schools Florida Department of Education 2008). This implies that a lower performance in girl is more satisfactory to teachers than the same performance from a male student. This can discourage gifted female students from working hard to realize their potential.

Students understanding can also be verified by actively participating in group discussions. Students who have a clear understanding of a certain concept are more likely to participate actively in group discussion. However, lack of participation may reveal poor understanding in certain concepts.

Student understanding can also be measured by asking questions. Students who have understood a question critically in most cases will tend to ask questions, which reveal the depth of their understanding in a certain aspect. Teachers can use this method to identify the areas, which are not clear, and needs further clarification.

Report by (Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services Division of Public Schools Florida Department of Education (2008), confirmed that gifted girl students were very successful in hiding their intelligence and keeping silence.

This makes it difficult for the teachers to understand whether they have understood or not. Teachers should also bear this in mind in order to ensure that such students are not left behind.

The independent activity in a specific lesson should be clearly described in order to ensure that all the students get the intended concept. Again, this should be passed in such a way that it does not discriminate against any gender.

The teacher should encourage the gifted students to be courageous and to have great teams. In driving the message home, teachers should be gender neutral to avoid gender biased ness or prejudice. The activity should be independent in order to allow equal benefit for both male and female gifted students.

According to information revealed by Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services Division of Public Schools Florida Department of Education (2008), teachers play a pivotal role in directing gifted students. It is important to show and discuss the need that female gifted students should be taken into consideration while teaching gifted students.

Past studies indicates that the past gifted female students who performed very well received encouragement words which supported them in their studies (Dubey 2005). For instance, some of them received such terms like you are a loved and special person; you can do anything that you want to do among other encouraging words. This assisted such students in overcoming gender biases and prejudice than is common in the society.

In many cases, some of the gifted students have ended up not realizing their full potential due to various factors. Past studies has clearly indicated that some gifted girls has a number of personal priorities, social emotional issues and personality factors which has been the main obstacles in their effort to realize their maximum potential (Bureau of

Exceptional Education and Student Services Division of Public Schools Florida Department of Education 2008). This raises a need for gender equity in gifted students education in order ensure that the students reaches their maximum potential by neutralizing such a bias.

For instance, girl students may be intimidated from taking bigger challenges due to prejudices as well as the social obstacles. In such a case, gifted girls should be encouraged to take challenging courses of action just like their male counterparts. This will ensure equity and promote good performance.

Conclusion

This discussion has clearly shown that there is a need to have an effective learning process for the gifted students. This plays a significant role in career exploration and understanding, which facilitates the gifted students to overcome issues and challenges in their effort to achieve recognition, gain acceptance, and access the necessary gifted students education in order to meet their individual needs.

Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the necessary procedures are followed in order to achieve this. It is also necessary to understand that there are diverse gifted students of different genders and require unique considerations while programming and making curricular options. This ensures that the systems applied are friendly to all students despite of their gender.

Reference List

Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services Division of Public Schools Florida Department of Education. (2008). Education of Special Populations of Gifted Students. Web.

Dubey, M. (2005). Gifted and Talented Education. New Delhi: Mittal Publications.

Johnsen, S. (2006). Definitions, Models, and Characteristics of Gifted Students. Web.

Description of Career Choice

Different people pursue different careers in their lives. While some pursue certain careers in order to earn money and fame, others focus on careers that give them satisfaction. This is because being in a fulfilling career is more important than being in a different career because of money, regardless of whether there is fulfilment or not. I have chosen to become a mathematics teacher, and this is the career I would like to pursue.

Teaching is the best career for me because it would give me an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students by assisting them to achieve their goals in life. A teacher basically assists students in learning and understanding different concepts in a subject. Since mathematics is a difficult subject to many students, my aim would be to help them to apply concepts that they learn in order to perform well in their examinations.

A mathematics teacher is required to report to school every day and interact with students in their classes. Since mathematics is a core subject that every student should study, it is taught everyday, unlike other subjects that are not taught every day. As a mathematics teacher, I would be spending some time outside the classroom to assist students who need help in different topics. My career as a teacher would, therefore involve assisting students on a daily basis for them to perform well and pursue their goals in life.

Reasons behind the Career Choice

There are various reasons that have compelled me to choose teaching as the career that I would like to pursue. The first reason is that I have a passion for teaching. A teacher is responsible for transforming the lives of young people. Teachers play an important role in ensuring that students identify their strengths and weaknesses in order to pursue the right careers in life. Before individuals achieve their short- term and long- term goals in life, they must pass through the hands of teachers. Great people in the world among them presidents, famous scholars and many other professionals achieve their goals in life because of teachers. The fulfilment of teachers is to see students prosper and achieve great things in their lives. This is the fulfilment I would like to achieve as a mathematics teacher.

The second reason why I have chosen teaching as my preferred career is that it is flexible. Teachers have flexible working hours, and this gives them an opportunity to relax and do important things that contribute to their well-being. This is usually not possible in other careers, which require people to work for long hours and even during the weekends. As a result, I would be able to teach and get involved in social and personal activities.

Educational Requirements for the Career

Different careers have specific educational qualifications that individuals must attain in order to work effectively. For one to become a mathematics teacher, the basic requirement is a bachelors degree, with mathematics as one of the teaching subjects studied. A qualified teacher can teach in both public and private schools. Generally, a mathematics teacher is required to finish a teacher training program. The program demands that students should complete a certain number of teaching subjects and education credits. In addition, they should go for student teaching as part of their course work. This is aimed at ensuring that they can teach effectively before being employed as teachers. Many schools in the United States accept students who have bachelors degrees in relevant areas (McKay 5).

Apart from educational qualifications, teachers are also expected to fulfil other requirements. For instance, teachers who teach in public schools in the District of Columbia should have licenses, which are issued by state boards or educational departments. In addition, they must pass an exam that is aimed at testing their competence in the subject areas that they would teach in secondary schools.

Career Prospects

Currently, there is a high demand for mathematics teachers because of the increased number of secondary schools that have been opened to provide education to students. Individuals who graduate with degrees from other fields such as business, engineering and art, among others, find it difficult to get jobs because of competition in the job market. However, this is not the case with teachers, especially mathematics teachers, because their number is not very large.

For example, in 2008, 3.5 million jobs in the United States were in the teaching field. This indicates that there is a high demand for mathematics teachers; hence it would not be very difficult to get a job (Goodland and McMannon 23).

Career advancement is also an important factor that individuals should consider before they make decisions about careers that they would like to pursue. There are good career advancement chances in the teaching field.

After acquiring significant experience as a mathematics teacher, it would be possible for me to rise to the position of a school administrator. Since going for further studies while in the teaching profession is not difficult, it would also be possible for me to acquire additional training, which would enable me to become a professional in guidance and counselling. Teaching is, therefore, a career that I would like to pursue because it has good career advancement chances (Brace 6).

Future Career Outlook

Statistics have shown that the demand for teachers has been growing very fast. By 2018, there would be excellent job opportunities for teachers. However, this would be determined by the subjects that a teacher has specialized in, his/her grade and location of the school. For instance, demand for mathematics, bi-lingual education and science teachers would be very high. In addition, teachers willing to teach in schools that are considered to be less desirable would be in high demand. Shortage of teachers in other countries is also a common problem. This implies that in future, there would be teaching opportunities in foreign countries for willing teachers (Ornstein and Levine 25).

Salary

Teachers are not among workers who get very high salaries, but they earn salaries that enable them to live well and meet their basic needs. The salaries are based on the type of school where an individual teaches. For instance, secondary school teachers earn about $52,200 annually. However, it is expected that teachers would be earning higher salaries in future.

Training Institutions

To become a competent mathematics teacher, it would be important for me to attend a good training institution that would equip me with adequate knowledge. Some of the renowned institutions that produce qualified teachers include Michigan State University, University of Wisconsin, Columbia University, New York University, Stanford University and the University of California, among others. I would attend one of these institutions to get relevant training.

Works Cited

Brace, Harcourt. Is Teaching A Profession? 1995. Web.

Goodland, John and T. McMannon. The Teaching Career. New York: Teachers College Press, 2004. Print.

McKay, Dawn. Teacher: Career Information. 2013. Web.

Ornestein, Allan and D. Levine. Foundations of Education. New York: Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.

Introduction

After attaining my university degree, I am contemplating to jumpstart my career in the educational field by working as a high school counselor or as an autistic childrens teacher at the elementary level. My passion for serving as a high school counselor was ignited by a high school counselor known as Mr. Selby, who I acknowledge as my academic mentor. He always urged me to aim for the highest in whatever I decided to engage in.

According to him, anything falling short of the best was not worth settling for. I regard him as my hero and he is a wonderful and incredible person to be around. Striving for the best is one particular element of life that I believe is worth learning and practicing at the high school level. High school students are often disillusioned and I consider it very crucial to provide them with guidance in matters that are related to their progress and development either academically or personally (Kirwan, 1984).

My Career

My other optional career involves being an elementary school autistic childrens teacher. My passion for teaching autistic children is evoked from a personal experience where my niece named Jessica is autistic and I love her very much. She has challenged and stimulated my thoughts especially through her courage in facing life. She has shown me that anything in the world is achievable with the right mentality and hard work.

Jessica is very courageous and is afraid of nothing some of which elicit fear among other children her age. She also a very social and lively child and loves talking to people which makes me realize the big heart I have for autistic children. Being around Jessica enables me to realize the potential autistic children have which should be molded in a way that will benefit them in the long run. Further to this, I can understand the needs of these children and give my best to meet them. I love children, but for autistic children, I have a soft spot for them.

My high school counselor, Mr. Selby was quite a mature man in his mid 50s which made his advice worthwhile. Not only was he mature age-wise but also in his character as a teacher, parent, and colleague. As a teacher, Mr. Selby had taught many students and was therefore able to deal with many issues in their extremes that faced the students. He preferred dealing with a single student as opposed to students in groups and was fond of listening attentively as well as writing the students issues down.

His ability to understand and relate which are critical in counseling made me like this profession where I could assist students in achieving and fulfilling their dreams (Corey, 2005). For Jessica, her joy in life irrespective of her health condition drove me towards considering a teaching career for other autistic children. Although they faced a deadly health condition, they could be able to live normal lives through pursuing and achieving their dreams. Her positive attitude towards life and the lack of fear was crucial in deciding to become a professional elementary teacher for autistic children.

Conclusion

In enabling me to accept assistance, I began by acknowledging the fact that I need help. After this, I sought somebody who could understand the nature of my problem and would be there to see me through the solution phase. I needed someone who would guide me through and review my progress. By evaluating my progress, I was able to know if I am headed in the right direction. Lastly, I had to get out of my comfort zone and be ready for any effective solution proposed to me. Accepting change requires one to be ready to undertake the solution irrespective of their comfortability (Corey, 2005).

References

Corey, G. (2005) Theory of Practice of Counseling & Psychotherapy, 7th Ed. Denver: Elsevier Pub.

Corey, G. (2005) Manual for Theory & Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 7th Ed. Denver: Elsevier Pub.

Kirwan, W.T. (1984) Biblical Concepts for Christian Counseling: A Case for Integrating Psychology & Theology. Washington: Wiley Pub.

Background

Public policies that address the issues of education are crucial because they affect the success of learners profoundly (Dever, 2006). As a result, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to take part in the improvement of those policies. This makes sure that the policies are stipulated to address the problems and challenges experienced by scholars. Importantly, early-childhood education is a crucial level whose policies should be evaluated carefully. This undertaking ensures that the pupils have a good academic foundation which will help them when handling the subsequent levels. This paper will describe public advocacy that should be integrated throughout the curriculum to ensure effective career development.

Description of the Advocacy Activity

In this project, a handbook was developed to show how the present academic system has neglected career development. The handbook also proposed that a career development program should be included in the system. Further, several meeting was convened to discuss these issues with headteachers. These meetings were meant to emphasize the importance of initiating the career development campaign.

It was necessitated by the fact that education is a process of attaining skills and professionalism. This implies that education is not an undertaking that is meant to equip a pupil with knowledge. Instead, it is also meant to help the pupil to apply the skills in real-life situations. It is learning how to apply that knowledge enables a learner to develop a line of career and professionalism. Although this is the intention of the curriculum, it is evident that the current academic system is not training the pupils to nurture their careers as they continue to acquire skills. Students are forced to seek advice, concerning career selection and development, from consultancy firms that cannot be as effective as the public schools. The ministry of educations should come up with ways that eliminate this problem to ensure that professionalism is nurtured effectively and satisfactorily.

As a result, this advocacy requests the government to integrate a career development program. The career program should motivate, train, and guide the pupils concerning their career choices. In this regard, the program should ensure that pupils are constantly inspired to nurture their line of career since their childhood. It should ensure that the inspiration envisaged by the pupils during their childhood does not fade as they progress. Also, they should carry out psychological tests that indicate the capability of the pupils. These capabilities will help pupils to pursue careers that are consistent with their passion and character. Understandably, when students are guided to choose careers that are compatible with their passion, they are deemed to succeed easily. In this regard, passion is the driving force that makes the learners study and work with unlimited dedication.

Message Imparted

The advocacy relayed a crucial message urging the ministry of education, teachers, and parent to help pupils nurture their careers starting from childhood. In their early stages of education, they have exaggerated and over-ambitious goals in terms of the career paths. However, the over-ambitious goals portray the desire for professional success. The involved personnel should help them to maintain this desire and intensify it. As they progress, they should be assisted to adopt and nurture realistic professions that are in line with the individual characteristics.

Perceptions on Advocacy Reception

In perspective, the ministry of education has probably considered this advocacy as a suitable suggestion. There is a likelihood that the official regarded the message as a basis of creating a resourceful educational system. The perception is possible because the advocacy is seeking to create an objective-oriented educational system. It envisages the clamor to build a system which does not only equip students with bare knowledge, but also the capability to apply it. However, the teachers might feel that advocacy merely introduces a system that is already running. This perception might be evoked by the teachers attempt to show their earlier dedication, although it is not necessarily existent.

Future Additional

The advocacy requests the authorities to introduce career studies in the present educational system. However, it is crucial to adopt a practical approach when raising this issue. As a result, future activity will include training sessions whereby selected teachers will be equipped with the necessary skills of career development. The workshop will also include several officials who will emphasize the importance of introducing the career programs in the pupils education. Also, during the sessions, the selected attendants will be expected to suggest how the program can be implemented effectively. As a result, the teachers will have an opportunity to suggest ways that do not contravene with studies. This will help to actualize the advocacy and determine its practicability in the real world.

Continuation of the Advocacy

In an attempt to continue this advocacy, it is necessary to develop a framework showing its implementation. In essence, mere suggestion cannot give notable results because the ministry might not take the request seriously. As a result, it is crucial to develop a framework that will ease the integration and implementation process. As a result, the continuation will come up with a suitable framework that indicates the people who should be involved. Additionally, the framework will show how different roles will be allocated to different stakeholders to ensure successful integration and implementation. Consequently, the advocacy will be developed by personnel from many fields to guarantee its effectiveness.

References

Dever, M. T. (2006). Advocating For Young Children: A Preservice Teacher Education Project. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 27(4), 391-399.