How to Be a Successful and Motivating Teacher

By Dr. Stephen Jones One of the biggest challenges for any teacher is finding a way to engage and motivate students. It is tremendously important to start your class off with a good foundation for learning. Start your class with a motivational quote or an activity to raise the energy in your room. Students benefit when you are organized and have a plan for each instructional session. Also, it’s important to include every learning style in your classes. The learning styles include visual, auditory and tactile. Incorporating activities that coincide with the different learning styles increases in engagement in each classroom. To get the most out of each student be open to changing the way that you’ve always taught. You will need to be flexible. Here are a few additional tips: 1. Survey your students early to find out their interest and what you can incorporate in your lessons 2. Close the reading gap by offering books to students and by encouraging exchange of books. 3. Don’t procrastinate on your class environment review make changes 4. Be an empathetic to your students concerns. 5. Take your students on a trip outside the school location 6. Encourage your students to apply to after school 7. Arrange an international trip to another country. Get the staff and teachers involved. 8. Be a continuous learning by reading books, watching videos taking classes visiting Pinterest for information etc. The United States is in desperate need of good teachers who are adequately paid and empowered to work with children. At the same time, we need teachers who can are committed a positive expectations of what students can accomplish. When teachers are given the right support, they feel like they can conquer anything. In my own life, I remember the teachers that cared about my success, and I think they were the catalyst for how I serve students today. If you are a teacher and you are reading this, I encourage you to stay committed. You make someday produce a student who becomes a teacher or principal. The challenges that you have overcome will be worth it when you look back at how many students lives you changed for the better. Never stop growing and learning. Dr Stephen Jones is the author of several education workbooks and conducts webinars and seminars for students, parents and teachers at your school. To find out more visit http://www.DrJonesBooks.com.

How Parent Involvement Can Help Child to Earn A+ Grades

 School districts all over the country are suffering from a lack of parent participation. Could you imagine a day when fifty percent more parents show up for a parent’s night?  Parent involvement can change an entire school system. I challenge parents who are reading this article to use their social networks to encourage friends of your family to show up at Parent’s Night.  If more parents showed up it would let other parents know what resources are needed and they could play a major role in helping schools to become better.  Gone are the days when a mother stayed at home to raise children and participate in school activities.  When a child’s parent is involved in their school it sends a message that they care. Parent's who are involved are able to help their student to earn A+ grades. Something needs to be done to make parent involvement in K12 schools a high priority on their list of daily activities. Each parent should want to witness their student’s academic success. Their student’s achievements will draw them into the school and encourage them to participate.

What the educators are saying about parent involvement is true. Parents who read to their children early develop children who enjoy reading.  Parents who read with their children help them to earn excellent grades. Children are like sponges absorbing new knowledge at a tremendous rate. 

 Parents are great role models for their children’s love for learning.  If the majority of the parent’s time is spent in front of the television or laptop computer then it becomes their child’s main source of information and learning too.  In other words parents who demonstrate a joy of reading instill it in their children. A student’s enthusiasm for learning should begin in the home then spreads to a child’s in school instruction. Here are a few tips:

1. Parent Involvement – Make out a schedule of dates when you or a relative will show up for school meetings during the academic year. There are plenty or resources that are only announced during a parent’s night.  Also you are getting an opportunity to meet your student’s instructor to find out how they run their class.  You will also uncover ways that you can get involved with at least one activity for the year.

2. Encourage your child to set goals for themselves – Children need to know that there is no limits to what they can accomplish earn better grades.  Encourage your child and stay involved in school activities.

3. Failure is success – Help your child to understand that there is a lot that they can learn from each failure.  Let them know that they will know to try something different the next time that they are pursuing a grade. The student may also need a tutor to help them to learn a particular subject.

4. Surround your child with positive role models – Get them involved in activities that promote leadership and determination.  An optimistic child can learn that they should never give up.

5.  Expose your child to the world -  Children need to know that there is more to the world than their immediate neighborhood.  There are a lot of positive things that they can learn from others.

6. Physical fitness and good health leads to optimism – A child who is physically healthy will have more energy and enthusiasm for life. A child who is eating write, physically fit and gets sufficient rest will be a very productive child.

7. Get a Tutor – If your student needs help with their academic achievement level talk to their teacher about tutoring. The teacher may provide it or have a tutoring recommendation.  If you ask you will find out that other parents are getting help for their children.

Some governors are saying we need more standardized tests to resolve the student achievement gap.  Testing is not the answer. Parent involvement is an alternative that costs fewer dollars to implement.  The resources that are allocated for testing could be spent to increase the number of parent leaders who are in the schools.  Some schools are finding ways to get parent’s involved in the daily activities of their schools.  Parents who are involved can learn about instruction methods that other parents can use in the home.  They are the catalyst to get parents who are not involved to volunteer for special projects.

Parents sometimes reflect on the bad experiences that they had when they were in K12 schools.  Student achievement can be raised when parents know that their active participation will make a difference in their child’s learning capacity.  Some parents are looking at their child’s achievement level to see if there are any differences.  They need to know more about the benefits of looking at the value of education from a different perspective.  Some parents do not know what a good education looks like.  School administrators and teachers must continually advocate for increased communication with parents.

Parents need more information about how K12 education is changing.  Most parents are not aware of the financial challenges that school systems are facing.  Many schools are underfunded when compared to school districts within their own states.  Parents can play a role in encouraging their local legislators to get involved in changing their states school funding formula.  Parents should invite the legislators to visit schools and to witness so that they can witness the challenges that they are facing.  It is easy to create a policy that under fund schools when you make assumptions that money is getting wasted.  Parents need to partner with schools in order to help with specific resources that their child’s school requires.

The United States is steadily slipping in terms of its edge in graduating students from high schools, trade schools, and colleges.  Starting a national campaign to help parents to understand their role in student achievement is a solution whose time has come.  New and innovative organizations are needed.  These organizations must take into account the changing trends in family structures.  Parents are looking for solutions to the achievement gap.  The solution lays in a combination of community and K12 schools working toward alternative education activities which are easily implemented in the home.

Some parents are raising the bar on their expectations for their student.  They are often interested in identifying resources that will prepare their child for college.  They participate in after school and weekend programs right along with their child.  They sign up because of their belief that their program will serve as a link between high school and post secondary education. Today is the day to get involved and make a difference in your local school. Parents are the key to a successful school and their child’s future career opportunities.

Dr Stephen Jones is and education advocate and an author of the Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide. Get your copy http://www.DrJonesBooks.com. You can reach Dr. Jones at Stephenjoness@rcn.com or 610-842-3843. 

Successful Benefits of Teachers and Principals who form Great Relationships

In order to establish a successful principal and teacher relationship it’s important to begin with the end in mind.  The start of a successful principal and teacher relationship begins with ones expectations.  Great relationships are founded on good communication and trust. When there is a positive relationship both the principal and teacher have greater enthusiasm regarding each student’s success.  Today is an important day in the history of the principal and teacher relationship.  Schools have been an easy target for budget starved governments.  It’s time to be proactive in working together toward innovative leadership and instruction.

During the past few years, I witnessed the total reorganization of entire school districts.  The principals and teacher who were committed to a school for two or three years are changed with no warning.  Many principals and teachers must change in order to receive the same level of success that they experienced in past schools.  Starting in a new environment can be positive when the new principal and teachers work together.  A book that I suggest is “Who Moved my Cheese.”  It’s important to look at life from an opportunity perspective.  Each day is a chance to do better than you did yesterday.  When principals and teachers seek common areas of agreement much more can be accomplished throughout the school year.  The important thing to recognize is the value of making changes to lead your school in a new direction.

One key priority for the principal is establishing a sense of confidence in the school staff.  Each principal serves as a role model for teachers who aspire to become principals.  Good relationships are established when there is ongoing concern for the resources that will help teachers to be successful. The principal should find ways to interact with teachers throughout a week.  It may be convenient to work until the next meeting but addressing issues as they arise will make staff meetings less cumbersome.

The principal must have the same heart for the children as the teachers.  A principal who teaches a class during the year has a better awareness of the students needs.  This principal can collaborate with teachers who are providing similar interactions.  For example, a principal who is teaching one of the sections of Algebra I can get ideas from other teachers.  This will foster a greater sense of collaboration.

It’s important to have goals and objectives for the entire school.  The principal and teachers should come together to create goals and share ideas.  The summer should not be the last time that the principal, his staff and teachers meet.  Everyone in the school should be aware of the goals and objectives.  There should be some visible ways in which everyone knows that the school is making progress toward these goals.   During regular staff meetings the goals can be part of the ongoing discussion.

Finally, it is important to expect the best for your school.  When the principals and teachers are working together and they have high expectations for the student great things can be accomplished. The principal and teacher relationship is a key element of each school’s success.  Today students need schools where they can learn how their knowledge applies in their homes and communities. If you are interested in your students success starts with building a solid principal and teacher relationship.   Stephen Jones is an author, professional development presenter and national speaker. Invite Dr. Jones to speak at your conference or to present a workshop. You can reach him at 610-842-3843. http://www.DrStephenJones.net

Success Strategies for Principals and Other School Leaders

Principals and leaders who spend time working on self growth are frequently rewarded. Students and staff need a principal who will take time to invest in themselves and their school. Leadership work can be  be very stressful. Here are some things you can do to  be an inspired leader.

1. Never give up 

2. Come to work prepared to learn 

3. Be a servant leader 

4. Care about all the students, teachers and staff 

5. Teachers are your partners not servants 

6. Pray every day for wisdom 

7. Work life balance works 

8. If you are married, happy wife long life 

9. Stay humble it works 

10. Create a culture of success by continually acknowledging the accomplishments of students, staff and faculty. 

There needs to be a change in the way that schools are designed. 

Dr. Stephen Jones is a consultant, speaker and author at http://www.DrStephenJones.net or call 610-842-3843. hashtag

How Principals Reinvent their Schools

One of the critical aspects of transforming a school is innovative leadership.  The expectation that new and innovative ideas will be accepted will result in a successful school.  Why do some schools turn around while others flounder?  It is because some principals and teachers continue to lead the same way they did last year. They expect different results but they keep doing the same things that caused the school to have difficulties. Successful principals and teachers see change as a good aspect of their schools success. An effective leader must have a positive vision and measurable outcomes that inspire students to be successful. There must be a commitment to moving forward with new ideas and actions throughout the school year. Today is the day to get started by making the school a welcoming place where every student can thrive.

     The principal, staff and teachers in a school that’s progressing has very good communication and cooperation among the entire professionals who are running the school. The principal must refuse to let communication breakdown. When there is an expectation that all communication has a purpose it motivates everyone to raise the level of energy that is invested in student instruction. An improved school will come from everyone knowing how to carry out the vision of the principal and his/her team.  Teachers in this school should feel free to talk to each other and to develop some of their own strategies to improve each student’s academic success. This includes discussing the way that each teacher communicates their lessons to students.  The teachers must also feel confident that the principal understands them and takes time to teach students too. A principal who takes time to teach will have a better sense of what students are learning in their classrooms.

     The students must understand that everyone at the school expects them to do well.  There must be a strategy to totally abolish the culture of low expectation.  Students must be applauded and recognized for their accomplishments in the classroom.  A whole school culture can change if the students who maintain a “C” average are challenged and acknowledged for raising their performance to a “B” average or higher. Success is evident in a school when the principal and teachers make learning fun and engaging.  The school not only celebrates the success of its athletes but has a bigger celebration over students who excel in the classroom.  A school atmosphere can change so that athletes want to become a scholar athlete.  Better grades and academic performance will get all students excited about coming to school.

     There must be a level of compassion by the principal, teachers and everyone on staff.  A school must be a welcoming place that is aware of the neighborhoods and cultures that influence the students.  Schools administrators that ignore the child’s problems are ignoring that they are affected by a number of struggles at home.  The challenges that a student can face when there is one parent in the home are tremendous.  Even if the student has two parents it does not guarantee that they will focus their energy on the student’s academic success. The principal and teachers must understand these challenges and work on some solutions that help each student to position themselves to learn when they are in school.  There are some very bright students whose home situation is not good.  It is better to meet the challenge head on than to hope that it will go away.

    It is important to lead from the front and not from the back. What is meant by this statement? It is better to have a plan that the school is following than to constantly respond to conflict and problems that were never fixed.  When the principals, staff and teachers lead from the front schools become better.  The teachers are excited to come to school because they feel supported. The students get the benefit of the teacher’s enthusiasm.  The principals and teachers can be role models of what good leadership looks like.  They also inspire students to become leaders at the school and in their community. 

     Positive changes can come from principals, staff and teachers who know how to get parents involved in the daily life of the school.  Parents often do not know how they play a positive role because their own parents were not involved in their school.  The school staff and several parents should come together to discuss how other parents can be involved.  These meetings can be held in the school, at a community center or at a church.   An effective parent involvement program includes meeting the parents where they live.  It’s great when a principal can find a pre-existing group of parents that meet and find a way to get on their agenda.  This saves the parent’s time but the principal can share important information with them. Persistence and a significant improvement in the students success is the key to improving parent involvement.

    Finally an inspired principal and staff can change a failing school by promoting career awareness to all at all K12 levels. Too many students are drifting in schools where they have no idea what their future could look like.  I firmly believe that career exploration should occur all year.  The K12 students need to explore careers to sustain their enthusiasm for learning. When they hear from visitors they can visualize themselves working in professions such as medicine, engineering, government, business and other professions.  The principals and teachers are the catalyst that motivates students can educate students about some of to pursue the top careers.  It is time to try something different at the all schools. It is time to take action and to fight for successful schools.

Dr. Stephen Jones is an education expert who you should consider for your school.  He is the author of the Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate scholarship guide at http://www.DrStephenJones.net. Contact him right away at 610-842-3843.

10 Ways Teachers Can Ignite Excitement About School

Did you know that a teacher’s excitement about school plays a great role in a child’s enthusiasm for school?  Students can tell when their teacher really cares about their success.  A teacher can ignite a student’s fire and passion for learning just by saying the right words.  One way to encourage a student is by brainstorming a list of 25 positive words that you can use to encourage your students daily.  You should think of ways that you can get each student to have great expectations for their future.  It is important to keep your classroom moving in a positive direction. Use words of encouragement whenever you can. Highlight the students accomplishments as a class and individually.  You can compete to be the best class in your school.  Always consider ways that you can implement innovative teaching techniques.  Your students will benefit from periodically seeing change in your approach to instruction.  View student test results as feedback regarding your student’s knowledge of your subject.  Make your review of past tests or quizzes fun and engaging and your students will remember the right answers.

There are some things that you can do and say to make this school year a success.  There are limitless learning possibilities during the school year and summer.  Consider how you can also coordinate your activities with parents.  Here are some other ways that you can create excitement about current and new school year:

1.  Plan an exciting trip to explore nature

2.  Get involved in a physical activity that will require you and your students to do it using math or science experiments.

3.  Plan a visit to library when they are having a special guest speaker.

4.  Purchase and use several board games that require your students to use a strategy to win.

5. Work together on a fun project where they can earn points to win.  Let your student select the project.

6.  Ensure that your students have breakfast in the morning and encourage them to have a great day.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Some students come to school hungry. 

7.  Visit the local community center, YMCA or YWCA to find out about their summer activities. Help your students to participate in projects where they will learn something new.

8.  Visit the local book store to find a list of age appropriate books that your students can read during the school year. 

9.  Make sure that you take time to talk to your child about what they are learning in school.  You can both search the internet for additional points to discuss.

10.  Allow your student to teach you something that they have learned during the school year.  Ask your student to share their knowledge with others.

Getting the off to a good start in any class is an important way to lay a good foundation for learning. One way to keep the child active is using the student’s prior knowledge as a chance to build their confidence. Build your foundation on the positive aspects of learning. You can have an exciting school year just by investing time to use innovative classroom techniques to encourage your student’s success.

Dr. Stephen Jones is an outstanding educator and consultant he is the author of “Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide. Get these books for your students right away at http://bit.ly/OOmCA0. He can be contacted at 610-842-3843

Athletes Need Drop Out Prevention Help too

According to Dr. Stephen Jones each year more than 50 percent of African American students drop out of high school and college. This has a significant impact on athletes who play sports. The drop out rate is greatly affected by poor college preparation and study skills. The lack of academic preparation is evident in middle school and high school. Too often athletes are accepted into college without the preparation they need to graduate. The student athletes’ athletic prowess is valued more than their intellectual abilities. Some athletes are also blindsided when they uncover the huge academic deficits when they start college classes. This crisis will continue because of the abundance of athletes who can replace the athlete who is in academic difficulty.

This problem must be attacked head on. Athletes deserve to be prepared to succeed at all levels. The NCAA requires colleges to have an academic support center. Unfortunately often the academic gap is too large even for the tutors that are assigned to students. Although these students have graduated from high school these students arrive to college academically three and four years behind their peers. Middle schools and high school students must get academically caught up prior to enrolling in the college. Many of these students are coming from schools that are not making Adequate Yearly Progress according to the standards set by No Child Left Behind. There are some very basic elements of the education process that are critical for students to succeed in college and they include the ability to read and compute.

This crisis is not one that we can ignore. Too many extremely bright African Americans are ending up in prison. This includes former college athletes who do not have a degree. Every so many weeks it seems that there is an article about some athlete who is escorted into a court room and sent to jail. This is especially detrimental when they leave a stable wife and children to make it by themselves. This foretells a disastrous educational outcome for their children who cannot afford to attend the better schools.

Some organizations and colleges are tracking the exceptional student athlete as early as ten and twelve year old. Yet attention and devotion to ensuring that they maintain high levels of academic performance is given little attention. It seems that there is a viscous cycle of poor study skills and academic preparation that’s repeated in inner city communities throughout the country. A fundamental academic requirement must be established for athletes early in their K 12 experience. Colleges and school districts must make a greater commitment to these students. There must be a break in the pattern of the deepening despair that has become a viscous cycle for so many athletes who do not graduate. Too many families can point to athletes in their family who have never competed a high school diploma or college degree.

Dr. Stephen Jones is a nationally recognized author who has written the “Seven Secrets of How to Study and the “Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide.” You can contact him at 610-842-3843 and at stephenjoness@rcn.com or visit http://sevenbooks.net.
Posted by Dr. Stephen Jones at 3:09 PM 0 comments
Labels: Athletes, coach, College, counselor, education, high school
Monday, September 22, 2008
Time to Manage Your Money
We are living in a time of financial crisis. Corporations are laying off thousands of employees. According to the United States Department of Labor and Statistics, the number of unemployed persons rose by 592,000 to 9.4 million in August 2008. While banks and insurance companies like AIG are on the verge of bankruptcy. It seemed that no one knew exactly what to do. So the government is bailing them out. There are too many people talking about the crisis and too few that offer solutions for the common person. Panicking will only add to the confusion that is pervasive in the country. The financial crisis should force each family to review all personal bills, financial investments and family insurance plans. It’s time to manage your money.

A smart financial plan begins with your own research and study of your financial circumstances. If you have not heard from your retirement company give them a call. You want to maximize the amount of information that you use to make good financial decisions. Don’t feel pressured to move money around or to take your money out of the bank and hide it. Remember your money is insured up to $100,000 for each bank where your money is deposited. It is still a good idea to have a conversation with the bank manager about your money. Get everything in writing so that you know what your bank will and will not do if it fails.

This is one time when procrastinating does not work in your favor. Everyday you could be losing money. It’s time to have a plan of action that you will follow. Your job may offer a financial planning workshop. Make time to attend a session. Prepare a few questions prior to the meeting. Ask if there is some type of financial planning website that you can review.

Most adults have never attended any type of money management class. They do what their parents did with their money. Their bills were continuously behind and the house was loaded up with the things that they wanted. When a person who freely spends marries a thrifty person their can be conflicts over money. This type of conflict can strain any relationship. In fact financial management issues are one of the primary reasons that married couples break up. Agreeing to manage your money with some flexibility must be a priority. Each single person and married couple should have a financial plan.

One of the effective things that you can do at this time is cut back on unnecessary expenses. Eliminating fast food from your diet may be one way to save money. If you decide to make this change you will improve your health and financial situation at the same time. If you go to Dunkin Donuts in the morning, McDonald’s during the afternoon and to a restaurant at night you can easily spend $50.00 a day and by doing this several times each week you will spend hundreds of dollars. Taking control of your budget means looking at every aspect of your life and considering the changes you must make.


Your goal should be to pay off bills and cut up all credit cards. Did you know that if you are late paying one bill your interest rate on other credit cards can go up? Paying your bills on time is an important habit. When possible pay a little more money on each bill. Get a copy of your credit report and eliminate any statements that are not true. Remember that banks and credit unions will look at your credit report score when you want to make a loan or ask for a line of credit. Manage your money by putting yourself in a position to pay off your financial obligations.

We each have a free will to choose how to manage our individual financial obligations. Learn to be content with what you have rather than letting your friend influence your buying decisions. Purchasing a $4,000 flat screen television may not be in your budget. Remember you can enjoy freedom when you manage your money and plan to live a stress free life. While the country is in this financial crisis you can still have peace by following your financial plan. Dr. Stephen Jones is author of the "Ultimate Scholarship Guide "available at

How to Save Money on Text books

The rising cost of books is one expense that stands out in all college budgets. Technical science and math books are among the highest costing text books and English textbooks are not far behind. For years students and parents have complained as their book budgets are stressed. The science books can start at $150 and higher and other books are costing more than $100. Across the country students at four and two year colleges are feeling the pressure of paying for the cost of living on campus and books.

The cost of books has resulted in innovations in the way that students are paying for books. This year the Chegg.com is breaking into the book market with very favorable ratings from students. They are ushering in the age of book rentals and buying books online. The book rental service allows a student to walk up to an IPAD and search for their book and then make a purchase. Some of the rental books are less than half of the cost of the traditional books. Finding a bargain like this is what the students have been looking for. It seems that professors are not aware of the cost of books when they are identifying them for their classes. There is some new legislation that is designed to get professors to look more closely at their book decisions.

Some professors are creative in how they are allocating books and resources for their classes. They are putting special information on their courses in a web based system that is owned by their university. Students can access old lectures and important documents and review them online. Sharing the information online can make some books less important. Students can read the professors notes wherever they may be.

Another website to consider is book.ly. This website compares the prices of the various textbooks on all of the online book websites. Some of the websites include half.com, ecampus.com, biblio.com and Chegg.com. This website is a great change since students are going from website to website to find the cheapest books. This is important since some professors assign more than one book for their classes. I can foresee a time where some books are only available in an electronic format.

Many of the book stores like Barnes and Noble now run campus book stores. Colleges were looking for ways to cut their expenses and book companies were willing to manage the stores. The book companies have immediate access to the books that they keep in their inventory. The book stores are changing with the times as K12 schools are looking at ways to reduce their expenses. Some states like California are cutting their book expenses. Hey are estimating that they will save millions of dollars by encouraging schools to purchase electronic books that the large book stores are offering.

There is a lot that you can do to save on the cost of books. Take the time to search the internet or better yet rent a book. I recommend that students try to go the first class before purchasing every book. At most book stores you cannot return books that you’ve purchased. You do not want to be stuck with a book that you cannot return. Talk to other students who’ve completed the course last year. There may be a few books that you can borrow. I wish you a successful book savings experience.

Title I Essential for School Survival

For more than a generation Title I provided support for our nation’s economically challenged schools. This funding has enabled schools to expand resources and instruction for students who live in poverty. It also has as a target the transformation of the level of parent engagement across America. An additional goal is to close the achievement gap by active financial commitments to school districts. There contribution is important because in the current economy it is difficult for schools to keep pace with the cost of educating students. Many of the large school districts are severely underfunded and they are laying off teachers and closing buildings.

Title I and similar programs need increased funding. Students need innovative teachers and teaching strategies in order to succeed. Too many students go from grade to grade without learning the fundamental skills that will help them to perform at high academic levels. Teachers can be a great asset to students when they connect with their students and parents each time that they start a new school year. Parents can also contribute in a significant way by creating a great learning environment at home. Title one is committed to helping schools to make better connections with parents and students who are in the community.

It is essential that schools become a learning environment where students become independent researchers of new knowledge. The use of technology is causing tremendous changes in the way that teachers and students share knowledge. We need to ensure that low income students are not left behind. Students need to have the secrets to success early during their academic experience. So schools must incorporate parents if they are ever to feel like partners. Some schools are already implementing innovative strategies to keep active parent involvement. These programs have included hiring parent leaders to work in the schools, after school workshops and other activities throughout the year. These changes are essential since many parents do not feel connected with their local school.

School districts need to shed the perception that they do not want parents involved. Teachers and parents have discovered that a lot of student support can be developed when there is a similar education mission. Title I was written to reinforce the need for strategic activities that will change the way that low income students view education. The United States cannot afford to let millions of citizens live without sufficient education. The number of schools where students are not performing at high levels needs to be diminished. This change is difficult when states are not able to invest in their own education system.

During these challenging times the message needs to be loud and clear that students are still suffering due to their economic circumstance. Parents of low income students are often the first to be fired during a recession. This makes the education crisis in the low income community even greater. Some youth may give up hope that they can ever obtain an education that will take them out of their community. They need to know that they can have a career where they can use their education to pursue post secondary education. The funding that Title I provides helps to make change in our education system a greater priority for our nation’s future.

Improving and strengthening schools will require a concentrated effort on the part of school districts, teachers, parents and students. The school systems will continue to fall apart of the amount of resources and money stays stagnant. The best education must be accessible to all students. Our future depends on it. To access Title I student and parent resources visit http://www.titleibooks.com

How to Study and Succeed on a Final Exam

Getting prepared for examinations and avoiding distractions is the greatest challenge that a student can face. It’s amazing how the best events and the most distracting friends come knocking on your door when you’re trying to study. I always tell students that their first mistake is opening the door to let their friend into their room. To succeed on your final exam you need to set all types of limits on your distractions. Organize a study group. Set limits on the number of students or your study group can become a distraction too. Some students may come to your study group unprepared and it is up to the group to make changes. To have success on your final examination you must maintain your focus.

Time management is an essential when you are preparing for final examinations. Use the beginning of the month to outline how you will use your time. You will need additional time to study and to get organized. If you wait to until the last minute you will be studying all night on certain examinations. When you have more time you will be able to add additional study groups if necessary. It is important to count each day as an opportunity to prove all that you have learned. Too many students feel pressured during final examinations because they decided to manage their time too late. You can change your test anxiety just by effectively managing your time.

So how do you bring together all of the new knowledge that you have obtained over the past few months. You’ve read chapter after chapter and it seems like a massive amount of information. It is important to get organized and develop a study plan that you will follow. For example develop an outline of your chapters and write it down on paper. It’s time to maximize your study skills. Your study skills are an essential part of your success when you review your notes and think about how to apply that information on the test.

It’s important to have the right attitude about your final examinations. It is essential that you expect to have success on every test. You’ve overcome many challenges to get this far in your course. Find time to read a motivational poem, CD or book for a few minutes. Call someone who frequently has given you words of encouragement when you have faced challenged. Success on your final examinations is the result of positive thinking and hard work.

Responding accurately to any final examination requires attention to details. Think about the kind of questions that will occur on a test. Develop some of your own questions and practice with another student who is in your class. You can practice responding and thinking about the right answers to potential test questions. If you have questions that need clarification, don’t be afraid to meet with your instructor. You want to expand the number of questions that you are prepared to answer on any test. You will have the ability to feel successful because you’ve prepared prior to each test.

In conclusion, you can position yourself for success on any final examination. Clearly define all of your distractions and eliminate them early. Make each course a daily part of your discussions. Don’t forget to find a quite place to study where you can concentrate on your subject. It’s time to be confident that you will have success on each final examination. Stay focused on your goal to graduate and it will inspire you to excel on every examination.

Dr. Stephen Jones is a keynote speaker, educator and author of three books the Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Parent's Ultimate Education Guide, and the Ultimate college Guide. He has helped thousands of students to graduate from K12 schools and college. Visit him at http://www.studyskills2u.com.

When Education Was King

Have you ever lost something? Just when you were about to give up you uncovered it in the first place that you looked. It was there all the time but you overlooked the one place that it should be. It seems that we’ve lost our drive for education. I remember when education was king all across America. The adults all over the country were talking about education and the importance of going to college all of the time. Lately it seems that the thirst for education has been lost to entertainment. Entertainment is viewed as a quick way to fame and fortune. I think America needs to rekindle an enthusiasm for education.

Americans need to revive the thirst for knowledge. It seems like education is on life support and fading fast. We cannot afford to continue to drift back word. Billions of dollars are spent on education every year and we need to renew the level of excitement of students and parents. Too often a good portion of the money that is spent on education fails to make an impact on communities. Education is one way that we can invest in creating a prosperous community

There are some creative ways to reignite the fire that once made education an important aspect of every conversation. How about asking everyone you know to turn over their unused books to students all across America. Their are visit to many homes where there are no books. Why not make them readily available and use social networks to discuss the values of these books. Parents need to spend more time reading too. When children see their parents reading all kinds of conversations can arise.

Why not promote science technology, engineering and math in every school. This is one of the best ways to enable students to be better prepared for the green jobs that are on the rise. These jobs will require future employees to have strong math and science background. We have an obligation to promote education in everyway that we can. How about sending out text messages with scientific facts and make it a fun contest. Let’s use this year as an opportunity to get back on course. There is a lot that we can do to make education a priority.

The local school is not the only place for education to occur. Parents play a key role in promoting education in each student’s home. Also relatives who are working in companies can encourage their nieces and nephews. This strategy really works. I communicate with all of my nieces and nephews while they are in college. It is important to keep them motivated when their education seems challenging. Adults must consistently promote education.

Why not use each day as an opportunity to restore the position that education held when it was king. There a millions of young people who need guidance and motivation to pursue their career dreams. They are asking what’s in it for me. The students want to know that their investment in studying and in learning new subjects will help them to land a job. Today it seems that a college degree is a standard for employment today. It is not clear that everyone realizes how much employment opportunities have shifted. Know is the time to take back the education that was tossed aside and to pursue new dreams of a brighter future.

Should Students be Paid to Attend School

Every day in many large cities 25 percent or more of the students in middle and high school do not show up for school. They have lost faith in the school system where they are consistently three to four years behind their grade level. Students are hanging out whenever they can just to avoid school. Some expose themselves to harm or abuse from their peers and adults just to miss a day of school. This student absence problem is not going away it is growing. It is progressing as parents become more detached from their students education or they are working two jobs to keep food on the table.

The attendance crisis is also a clear indication that young people do not know the value of education. They are not aware of the career opportunity that are slipping through there fingers. They do not see that their school attendance is preparation for the world of work. Who will tell them that they get paid for showing up for work? Prisons are full of students who have dropped out of school or rarely attend school. This further complicates their ability to develop the work ethics that should be instilled at an early age

In order to resolve these issues school administrators should meet with parents and students to brainstorm possible solutions. Each community can set up a unique system that works. The parents who are at various schools can share ideas that work. For example in the computer industry they hire hackers to test how well a company is protected from hackers and viruses. Involving students in the conversation will give school administrators an opportunity to hear their issues.

In light of the attendance crisis schools need a radical solution. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Pay students who go to after school programs to receive tutoring.

2. Track students study skills so that they will know how to improve their grades.

3. Allow students to earn a one day pass from their school where they can volunteer in the community.

4. Let students work part time during the day and take classes at night.

5. Students can earn points toward the purchase of some electronic item based on their attendance.

6. Solicit companies throughout the region to adopt a school where there are high attendance problems. Also get this company to provide mentors
for these students.




7. Get the students involved in clubs so that they can feel a sense of commitment to the schools.

8. If the student improves their attendance they become eligible to interview for internship opportunities

9. Allow the students to attend a cyber school two days out of the week.

10. Students who attend school faithfully during the 9th, 10th and 11th grade can achieve an opportunity to work part time during their senior year.

The partners who should be involved in resolving the attendance issues include parents, schools and corporations. Parents should not turn their eyes away from this critical community issue. Complex student attendance issues require innovative thinking. Sometimes students need to be saved from themselves. They often do not have the ability to see how their actions are leading them astray. Their minds may also be clouded or confused by peer pressure. It’s time to engage parents and students in a conversation that influences how schools inspire attendance. Students are constantly asking what’s the benefit of education. The message must be clear that student attendance is an integral part of their life as a students and a future employee.
Dr Stephen Jones is an education coach and author of Seven Secrets of How to Study, Parent's Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide information at www.studyskills2u.com

How to Motivate Students: Strategies that Work

Increasingly parents who send their children to school and those who home school are asking the same question. How can I motivate my child to learn when 21st century technology is influencing their every thought? It seems that children are learning how to multi-task but it is affecting their ability to focus. The very electronics that were purchased to entertain in the home have become the center of their attention. There are cell phones, flat screen televisions in every room, hundreds of cable stations, wireless laptops and IPods. Students say that they cannot live with out there technology devices.

What’s a parent to do? Did you know that each of these items can become another method to increase learning and communication? There are things that you can do to use these items as learning tools. Why not send your son/daughter a text message of the day. Getting the question right helps them to accumulate points toward some reward. Students can download MP# recordings from informative internet radio programs, record notes on a digital recorder and purchase math software for their computer. Some schools are using scientific calculators to teach math.

Innovation in the home learning environment involves making the student a part of the learning process. We do this when children are in elementary school. Parents and teachers constantly think of creative was get children charged up about learning. Somehow we’re convinced that creative learning is for children and not middle and high school students. It’s time to ask the children how they can use the technology to learn. They probably have ideas that they have not considered because they are so focused on communicating with other teens.

Parents and teachers can be a catalyst that demonstrates how learning occurs through daily experiences. Why not visit a local business to find out how they use technology to make their company function. Go to an entertainment company and discover how the use sound affects and technology to change the visible images that people see during a performance.

Did you know that an IPod can be used as a learning tool? Students can down load information from math and science websites. If they are studying volcanoes they can go the websites and get a recording that they can listen to any where at home and while they travel. Learning should occur inside and outside of the classroom. Ask your student what they are listening to every week. There is always an opportunity to reinforce the information that they are learning. Students need to know that you are interested in how they are learning. A few words of encouragement can go a long way.

It’s a whole new world that students are exploring. Parents and teachers must take time to raise their awareness of the technology trends that dominate their student’s lives. For example online tutoring is a growing resource for many families. Schools are loading teacher information on secure school websites. Students can review their teacher’s notes online. It is another innovative way to help your student to learn from a different perspective.

Today learning at all levels must be an adventure that captures the student’s attention and perceptions. Seizing the opportunity to explore how to integrate technology into learning is essential. There’s a wealth of experiences that can make any school assignment a source of academic growth.

5 Back to School Savings Tips

Every year thousands of parents grab a cart and engage in the age old tradition of back to school shopping. There is a level of excitement in the air as students consider new school supplies and what clothes they will wear back to school. All parents can do is look at their pockets and try to find a way to stretch a dollar. Many parents start their shopping without a plan and that’s where money is lost. Have you ever noticed how things are strategically placed around the store so that you will make random purchases? There are all kinds of pencils, notebooks and paper right within your grasp.

There are some things that you can do to resist the temptation to spend too much. First make a list of the most expensive items that you need to purchase. Check the internet and advertisements in your local newspaper. This is important especially when you are purchasing electronic products like lap tops, Ipods and digital recorders. The money that you save from these purchases can add up to hundreds of dollars. Recognize that every product that has a sales tag can be bought cheaper if you are willing to do your research.

The second tip is to watch for the best day of the week to purchase clothes and other items. Some stores have sales on certain days of the week. This is done to increase the number of parent’s and students who are coming into their store. As you shop for sales it may be worth returning on another day. Talk with your relative who works in a retail store. They may have a discount that they can use on your purchases. There could be an additional discount in addition to the sale that is going on in the store.

Third there are numerous websites where you can purchase books at a discount. Search Google for discount book websites. Purchasing books online is real convenient today. Books that you order usually arrive in 3 to 5 days. Still it is better to purchase books well before they are needed. If your son/daughter needs the book to write a report the book will be available to get started early. Also consider purchasing reference books so that your son/daughter will have books to look at when they do not understand a particular definition or subject.

A forth back to school saving tip involves purchasing shoes and sneakers at a reduced price. There are stores that sell hundreds of shoes. You need to keep an eye on the prices several times a week. Sometimes local stores want to move inventory so that they will lower their prices. Ask your child how often he/she talks with their peers about where they get the best sneaker discounts.

A fifth tip is to form a group of parents who can each purchase some items in bulk. Pencils and paper can be shared by parents. Create a supplies storage container where you will keep all of the items. This is one way that you can avoid purchasing too many items that you already have. Before you go shopping go to your storage draws and take an inventory of all of things you need. You will be amazed at how much you have in storage from last year,

Now that you’ve saved hundreds of dollar focus on your child’s education. Decide on something that you will do to make education fun this year. Load up your students book bags with good snacks. Even high school students need snacks because they can loose their energy during the day. Remember a healthy body will boost a student’s performance on tests. Make your back to school journey one that is full of good expectations. You can control your back to school spending and have a great new school year too. Dr Stephen Jones is an education expert, consultant and author of three books the Seven Secrets of how to Study, the Parent’s Ultimate education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide available at www.studyskills2u.com.

10 Stress Busters for the College Bound Student

Sometimes I think that every student should be required to take a course on stress management. Can you imagine how much healthier everyone would be? Did you know that stress affects your body and your memory? Some people get so stressed that they feel like running away from life all of the time. If you are a student of any age you will experience some stress. Even some well prepared students get anxious when they think about the next test. Stress can creep in when you are least likely to expect it. So why does the feeling of anxiety which is associated with stress overtake students? Sometimes students are stressed when they take a challenging test. They get too little rest before an intense test and the energy to overcome stress cannot be found.

So the answer seems simple. Get better prepared for the test and the stress will go away. Not so easy. Other factor could include a diet that is inconsistent or unhealthy. Some students have potato chips and a Coke for breakfast. The get their sugar rush in the morning but the rest of the day seems to fizzle out. Poor eating habits and too little rest can contribute a significant amount to the stress that students feel. When a stressful test is on the horizon it is extremely difficult to relax. Also, sometimes roommates and friends can add to the stress levels if they remind you of the difficulty of the next test.

With all of this going on you need an action plan to uproot the stress that you are feeling. Two things you must do are learn how to manage your time and don’t procrastinate. You must keep your priorities organized on paper. Here are some of the benefits of reducing your stress:

1. Improve your confidence that you will pass your next test.

2. Clear your thoughts when you are preparing to listen to an instructor

3. You will improve your organization skills at home and at school

4. Increase your ability to focus on tasks and to complete assignments

5. You will have less stress when preparing for presentations

6. End your habit of waiting until the last minute to complete assignments

7. Get an adequate amount of rest before every test

8. Become more focused on maintaining positive thoughts

9. Reduce your anxiety when meeting an instructor



10. You’ll decide to eat the foods that increase your energy the most.

You can reduce your level of stress and increase your potential to learn new things. You must be willing to make sacrifices. You should start by organizing a realistic schedule that also gives you flexibility to relax. Keep a weekly journal of all of your quizzes, major examinations and general activities. Identify your time wasters and eliminate them. Remember to write down your priorities so that you do not get off track. Take time to recognize that you’re accomplishing new tasks everyday. Over a period of weeks notice how much time you are gaining to study for your tests.

You can reduce your stress by noticing the signs that you are tired. Some students express stress in through signs of fatigue, anger or refusing to talk to anyone. Just making a few changes can make a difference when it comes down to eliminating stress. Don’t get stuck in old habits that don’t work. Try deep breathing exercises and focus on relaxing your entire body. Take a break if you feel that you are no longer remembering the information you are studying. If you are willing to work hard at it your stress can be eliminated and your next exam can be a success.

Middle School Students Caught in the Middle

It’s amazing how easy it is to forget about the middle school years. Do you remember your crazy middle school years? Middle school students are often caught in the middle while we focus on preparing high school students for college. There needs to be national attention focused on the middle school years to prepare them for the career challenges that face this country. I have noticed that even those who write books focus their efforts on elementary and high school students and leave middle school students out. If you ever attend a national book fair there are limited creative efforts to excite middle school students to read. Any parent who is raising a middle school student can tell you that they are in a different transition in their lives. Communicating with middle school students can be challenging if you are unwilling to admit that you are not perfect. Middle school students need parents and teachers who will let them know that they care.

There should be a national effort to help middle school students to explore all types of careers. The rapid changes technology careers that are happening around the world are still far away from the minds of middle school students in this country. Now is the time to make them a part of the green revolution in solar and wind energy. It would be great to see how these students could envision their future with solar powered cars and wind technology that reduces the cost of energy in each home. Some of the most innovative students are wasting away in middle school because they continue to be taught by traditional methods. Maybe every middle school class should be full of green experiments that allow the students to find themselves and to make a mark on society using their creative ideas.

So who should care about middle school students? Everyone should care including parents, corporations, our government, teachers and counselors. We all have an investment in making middle school more interesting. Students should have laptop computers and graphing calculators as a standard resource for learning. We need to demonstrate how we value the learning capacity of every student by giving them innovative projects. Why not let the middle school students create a city wide effort to save their city money. You would then witness how much creativity and influence they can have when they think about the future of their own city. We need to spend more time helping middle school students to believe that they are part of the solution.

There are thousands of middle schools teachers who need help too. The complexity of the 21st century middle school student can be challenging. Students who would rather text message than talk to each other makes for a different world. Middle school students are multi-tasking just like high school students. They are talking on their cell phone, sending messages on their computer, talking to their friends and doing homework at the same time. It has made middle school and interesting place to try to keep students focused on learning. Middle school students have become accustomed to a fast paced day. It’s time to fill their lives with experiences that makes middle school a place to run too not from. Let’s take the middle school years as a tremendous opportunity to help students to encounter a whole new journey to their future.

For twenty-six years, Dr. Jones has delivered presentations on numerous topics including how to study, leadership, effective communication, and innovative management practices. He is the author of three books one is titled “Seven Secrets of How to Study” the second is the “Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide” and the third is the “Ultimate Scholarship Guide.” The book provides an easy understanding of the seven pillars that are essential to learning success in K12 schools and college. His URL is http://www.sevenbooks.net