Teacher's Heart

Unfortunately, the salary of a teacher hardly makes the job worth it. Therefore, in the schools we see apathy, burnout, and despair in teachers who really did not want to be in the classroom in the first place. Yet, we are stuck with them. Despite advanced degrees and certifications, no amount of professional development and coaching could make these teachers better because their heart is not in it, though they keep teaching year after year.

On the other hand, take a new teacher, one who has always wanted to help children and teach, yet has little or no experience and may not even be certified. Who would you rather on campus? Many would choose the veteran who has experience, but at what cost? In this age of society, education is continually changing, evolving, moving steadily towards putting (and keeping) the student first, and campuses need teachers who are willing to do the same, teachers with heart.

This “heart” that good teachers possess moves them to continually put students first. This naturally leads these teachers to attend whatever professional developments, listen to whatever advice, and employ whatever strategies necessary for the benefit of their students. This motivation to adapt and evolve cannot be taught and does not automatically accompany a certificate of certification.

Teachers who possess heart take heed to counsel and advice. They embrace new teaching models, such as co-teaching and technology in the classroom. They self-evaluate, study, research, observe, and adjust, all without prodding from department heads and administration. They are thirsty for information and seek to not only hone their skills, but to share them with others. Students cannot help but benefit from these teachers who are open, resourceful, and ready to learn.

Where do you find teachers like this, ones who possess the heart of a teacher? They are probably already on your campus, waiting for an ignition to their fire by supportive administration and staff or are already taking the lead in producing student achievement and simply making good things happen. Otherwise, they are fresh out of school or working an unfulfilling job in another industry, seeking to get onto your campus as soon as possible. Keep your eye out for teachers like these because only this kind of teacher, a teacher with heart, will ultimately bring about student achievement and success.

What of diffrerence in nutrinional between organic food and non-organic food?

For the myths, there is no nutritional difference between organic food and non-organic food.

For the reality : Chemical farming damages the natural fertility of soil because it kills or suppresses the beneficial soil organisms that help ensure the nutrient richness of soil. The soil on an organic farm is loaded with these beneficial organisms and is chock-full of micro-nutrients. The result is that organically grown plants are healthier and more resistant to disease, and the food from them is more nutrient-rich. Research done at the University of California at Davis found that organically grown berries, corn and vegetables have over 50% more antioxidants than the same conventional crops. (Antioxidants are nutrients important to avoiding cancer and maintaining good overall health.) Studies also suggest that organic foods are higher in a variety of minerals.

Organic farming also does not cause the many problems associated with modern conventional farming, such as groundwater and streams that become polluted with pesticides or rivers and bays that are dying from oxygen deprivation due to fertilizer runoff.

So, that should dispel some of the common misperceptions about organic agriculture and organic food. The really good news is the taste of organic food—most people think it has much more flavor than conventionally produced food. And just think about it: Do you really want your kids sticking non-organic french fries up their noses?

CEDAW, How's that for an in-your-face agenda?

Forgiveness does not come easily to the Maidens of Mendacity. Columnist Katha Pollitt recently combed through the laundry list of long-remembered slights. Once Obama informed his daughters he wasn't going to buy them a "girly-dog" - yikes! There was the Barbara Walters interview when Barack had the audacity to interrupt Michelle. And here's the crusher: "No one has forgotten that Barack called a reporter 'sweetie' months ago," Pollitt wailed.

Yes, they were delighted when Hillary ("Research shows the presence of women raises the standards of ethical behavior") was selected as Secretary of State. But when news got out that only one-quarter of Obama's cabinet picks were female (including the eminently qualified Hilda Solis at Labor), the fems lapsed into a purple-faced funk.

Amy Siskind, founder of the New Agenda was disconsolate, admitting, "We had high hopes for president-elect Obama going into this, and it's been very discouraging." And NOW president Kim Gandy put on her best pouty-face: "we still are such a small minority in the top boardrooms of the country starting with the Cabinet."

But the pain of so few female cabinet members was mollified by the hope of establishing a Cabinet-level advisor on women's issues, maybe even a presidential commission.

But when word leaked out that Obama's Council on Women and Girls had no full-time staff, the girls pulled out the long knives. Calling the group a Clinton-era "retread," Martha Burk charged, "I think it falls fall short of what's needed." (Burk, you recall, was the woman who cried wolf because the Augusta National Golf Club did not admit females.)

And what will be the number one priority of the fledgling Council? According to California First Lady Maria Shriver, the group needs to launch a major inquiry into the stresses facing American women.

Poverty's Children

Even a small amount of your time can make a big difference for a child. And society benefits, too. Crime rates decline, youngsters become better educated and then see their futures with more optimistic eyes. Says Eddie Ryeom, a volunteer with Operation Exodus:

"One of the major benefits of working with children is seeing tangible results, from their smiling faces to increased test scores. However small your contribution, you're helping a community deeply in need."

This testimonial and millions like it show that even one volunteer -- perhaps you -- can change a child's life now and for the future. With up to 15 million kids in need, every volunteer is an asset in our ongoing war on child poverty. From helping an individual child to addressing the issue nationwide, there are many choices (some are below) on how to help -- and find greater fulfillment for yourself, too