Publishing Your Book

I am sure that many of you have had the urge to write a book. For some of you, it might be the idea of a new textbook that would provide a refreshing look into the subject you teach. For others there might be that burning desire to write the great American novel. You may have thought to write a book of vignettes, chronicling the stories of the students you have come into contact with. On a more personal level, perhaps you wanted to leave a legacy for your children by researching and writing a history of your family. The opportunities to do so are better now (and less expensive) that they ever were.

At one time in order to get book published, you would have to send out dozens (or even hundreds) of query letters and anxiously wait for a response. You may have had to send completed manuscripts to publishing firms with the hope of getting accepted. Few ever did.  You could have chosen the vanity publishing route, where you would pay to have you book published, but prior to the computer age this was a very expensive venture. Today, with print on demand publishing and e-book published, become an author is easier, faster, and less expensive than ever.

Two of the more popular online companies that will allow you to self publish are Iuniverse (www.iuniverse.com) and Xlibris ( www.xlibris.com). They provide basic publishing services and you pay for just what you need. If you need editing services or graphic designers, there will be an additional charge. They print on demand so there is no large inventory of unsold books. Another company that focuses more on photo books and books of artwork is Blurb( www.blurb.com)

One of the big drawbacks of using on demand publishers is marketing. For the most part you  are on your own. You will have to make the posters, organize your own book signings and arrange with local bookstores for a "meet the author" program. You could, of course, hire a marketing firm to help you roll out your first book, but their services are expensive.

Before you begin the self publishing process, you may want to do a little background reading.  I would like to suggest two books. The Complete idiot’s Guide to Getting Published by Sheree Bykofsky and Jennifer Sander is loaded with suggestions and tips on every topic from selecting a topic tor write about ( take a look at the NY Times best seller list on Sundays)This books has had multiple  printings and comes with a  CD Rom disk that include templates for query letters, a list of literary agents, and the locations of writers conferences that you  might benefit from.

Another book you might wish to review is The Fine Print of Self Publishing by Mark Levine.  Now in its fourth printing, this popular book offers a great deal advice for the novice author.

By the way, send me a copy of your published work and I may choose to review it here on the blog.

Good luck.

Finding a Teaching Job in 2012

It happens every May. Thousands of college graduates nationwide receive their degrees and head for the work force.  Finding employment as a teacher this year may be a dicey enterprise. Demographic, political and economic issue weighs heavily on the fortunes of the teaching profession.

 Children of Baby Boomers, for example, are in the process of leaving the K- 12 educational system and heading to either higher education or employment.  Subsequent generations have had fewer children. Political issues on the other hand are magnified this year because of the upcoming Presidential election. While every candidate wants to be known as the” education President,” few seldom live up to that title.  Lyndon Johnson and George Bush the Younger were two notable exceptions.  Issues regarding illegal immigration and how or whether to educate illegal immigrant children are also to be considered.  So are local school budgets. During this period of austerity brought about by the current recession, many schools laid off teachers and cut back funding of ancillary programs such as art, music, school trips and purchase of library books.  We must also add to the mix the number of teachers who have postponed retirement because of the losses to their retirement portfolios.

Job seekers need to keep in mind that the conditions will vary from states to state. The Northeast, for example is experiencing a decline in student populations and the need for teachers. Other areas like Texas and Georgia are experiencing growth. The short version is that a graduate with multiple teacher certifications, who is willing to relocate, will have a better opportunity to find employment.

What about Graduate School?

Some graduates are considering side stepping immediate entrance into the teaching force by attending graduate school. While attaining a Master’s degree may be a help in some instances, there is a downside to this strategy. First, teachers with an advanced degree command higher starting salaries. Many budget conscious schools will hire the least expensive teacher. Thus getting the degree may price you out of the job market. Second, most college graduates will run up large student loans when attending graduate school. It is difficult to pay off these loans on a teacher’s salary. You should also be aware of the fact the under current law, a student loan is not dischargeable when declaring personal bankruptcy.

Additional Tips

 The US government Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the Occupational Outlook Handbook each year. The book provides information about average salaries, requirements, as well as job prospect for the next ten years. These statistics should only used as guidelines as jobs markets, political wind shifting and the economy have a significant effect on job openings at any given time.

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/kindergarten-and-elementary-school-teachers.htm

Be sure to register with your alma mater career center so that you will be able to access job opportunities as they open up. Many colleges maintain web sites that post jobs for alums.

SUGGESTED READING

A great book that has been around for a number of years is Richard Boles’ “What Color is Your Parachute?” The author updates his book periodically with great tips for résumé preparation, interviewing techniques and launching an informational investigation of job that you would like to have.

Other books to help in your job search include:

How to get the Teaching Job you Want by Robert Fiersen c.2004

I Want a Teaching Job: Guide to Getting the Teaching Job of your Dreams by Tim Wei c.2010

Inside Secrets of Finding a Teaching Job by Jack Warner and Clyde Bryan c.2004

All of the above mentioned books are available at Amazon.com as well as other booksellers

Teach for America

Wendy Kopps senior thesis at Princeton University still provides opportunities for recent graduates who wish to try out the teaching profession, even if they did not obtain an education degree. Competition for slot s in this highly regarded program is intense. The rewards from participating in the two year program can be exhilarating. Contact www.teachforamerica.org

Your comments and suggestions are always welcome and appreciated. Good luck with your job search.  Change the world! TEACH!

Major Corporations Seek to aid in Math – Science School Dilemma

 

As the United States continues to sink lower in international education standings, especially in the critical areas of science and mathematics, a number of major corporations have begun to develop initiatives in an effort to reverse the tide.

ExxonMobil Corp. has launched a National Math and Science Initiative in an effort to recruit new teachers to the profession in mathematics and the sciences. The aim of the program is also to improve Advanced Placement test scores in these two critical academic areas. ExxonMobil began its involvement in the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) in 2007 with a $125 million grant, which is focused on improving math and science education in the U.S. NMSI programs are currently in 29 states. According to reports from the program, during the last three years, high school students enrolled in APTIP (Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program) achieved a 124 percent increase in the number of exams passed in AP Math, Science, and English (MSE), compared to a 23 percent increase nationally. NMSI is also helping to close achievement gaps for minority and female students. Significant improvements have been reported for African- American as wells as Latino participants.

UTeach

One of the other components of Exxon Mobil’s initiative is to recruit new teachers for science and math and to get them to stay in the profession. The effort stems from the fact that

“the U.S. is failing to produce and retain sufficient numbers of qualified math and science teachers, which impacts the success and future of our students and the ability of our country to remain competitive in today’s global marketplace. “

In response to growing crisis in math and science, the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) began replicating a highly successful teacher training program, UTeach, in 2008.  The program, which recruits and trains math and science majors for careers in teaching, is transforming the way universities prepare teachers for the 21^st century.

UTeach offers a degree programs at participating colleges and universities that enables students to graduate in four years with a degree in their core subject as well as a teaching certification.  Early and intensive field teaching experience begins in students’ first semesters and is supplemented by mentoring and guidance from highly experienced master teachers, faculty and public school teachers.

UTeach now has 5,500 math and science majors enrolled in the program in nearly 30 universities across the country.  The goal is to expand the program to more than 50 campuses in the next decade, with the potential to impact more than four million students.

The results are excellent.  Approximately 90 percent of UTeach graduates go directly into teaching, with a retention rate of 82 percent after five years of teaching (compared to less than 65 percent nationally).  The program has received national recognition from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) and the Presidential Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and is featured as a “best practice” program by Change the Equation, a national clearinghouse for excellence in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. You can obtain more information about this program by going to http://www.nationalmathandscience.org/programs/uteach-program

The National Flight Academy


Another relatively new project to encourage students to excel in math and science is the National Flight Academy. The camp, for students in grades seven through twelve, is located on the grounds of the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida, although the Navy is not involved with the program.  The camp is funded in part, with grants from LockheedMartin and NorthrupGrumman. The program exposes participants to flight simulators that present real life aviation problems that require knowledge of math and science to solve. The price tag for this experience is high- $1250 for one week although scholarships are available. The camp will be running from June through August. Participants are dividend into groups to learn to work together to solve problems. They then compete against each other.

If you are aware of any other initiatives to help improve foundations in math and science, please email us or post a comment.

Congratulations Dr. Shaq

This week Shaquille O’ Neal received his doctoral degree from Barry University in Florida. No- This was not an honorary degree bestowed by his alma mater (for the record Dr. O’ Neal attended Louisiana State University. Nor did he donate a huge sum of money to this small catholic university in Miami Shores.

Shaq earned an education doctorate in Organizational Learning and Leadership. Yes, the NBA all- star, and sometime rapper actually went to class and wrote a dissertation. His topic was” How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Styles.” In a recent commentary O’Neal penned for USA Today he emphasized the importance of education.   He said “If there is one thing I hope people take from this personal milestone, it’s that education matters for your entire life. A degree, whether high school or doctoral is not a finish line: it’ simply a mile marker.”

O’ Neal joins some other impressive company. Well known comedian Bill Cosby received his earned doctorate from Temple University in Philadelphia. He has used his education to also motivate young people, especially minorities to stay in school and complete their education.

While the likes of Bill Gates are often touted as being successful despite dropping out of college, award winning film maker Steven Spielberg, took time out of his busy schedule to complete his undergraduate degree at few years ago at California State University at Long Beach.

As we approach graduation season, please share these success stories with your students. Encourage them to stay in school and strive to achieve as far as they can reach.

Congratulations and best wishes for success to Dr. O’ Neal.

Improving Reading Instruction

Good reading instruction

In 1966 Rudolf Flesch wrote the best seller “Why Johnny Can’t Read.” This was both a telling condemnation of the way that American school students were taught to read as well as exposing the failure of teachers to make our population a literate one. Since the wheels of education progress turn ever so slowly, Flesch, followed up in 1981 with “Why Johnny Still Can’t Read.” He blamed the methodology that classroom teachers used as one of the culprits in America’s students having reading difficulties.

Over the years there has been quite a bit of research about what works best to get students to read- the look and say method, ITA (Initial Teaching Alphabet), Chunking- the list goes on.

Below is another thought to ponder when teaching reading:

Research has demonstrated that the most effective read-alouds are those where children are actively involved asking and answering questions and making predictions, rather than passively listening.  Classroom teachers should, encourage students to make predictions or inferences that explain a character's motivation or bring together disparate events from different parts of the story. Teachers prompt children to engage in analytical thinking by making comments that model such thinking and then asking thoughtful questions. Students should be encouraged to retell stories or even act them out.

 Here are some strategies to aid in the development of effective reading strategies for the classroom.

·         Use prior knowledge

·         Have students read aloud

·         Teacher read aloud to class

·         Talk to class bout thinking.

·         Have students develop strategies to think about the story independently

Additionally you might want to take a look at a few web sites that I discovered.

http://www.readingrockets.org/

If you have not already visited this site- Reading Rockets, I suggest that you visit it soon. Reading Rockets is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. There are links for teachers, parents, principals, librarians and other education professionals. The site offers free downloadable reading guides that can accompany the PBS series” Launching Young Readers.” There are also family guides that are available in English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.

“Created for preschool through second grade teachers, the Teachers' Guide lists reading achievements by grade level and suggests how teachers can foster the development of phonemic awareness, fluency, spelling, writing, and comprehension skills.”

Another site that I can suggest is Getcaughtreading.org. This site is sponsored by the Association of American Publishers. The site contents include a literacy program, newsletter, posters and information about supporting local libraries. The also sponsor a World Book Night, which this year was April 23^rd. The association maintains its own web site at www.publishers.org.