Learning Organisation and Learning Environment

Question: Discuss about the Learning Organisation and Learning Environment. Answer: Introduction Learning Organisation is a term, which describes the ideal learning environment undertaken by the organisation to accomplish the business objectives. In such organisation, the associated people continuously expand their capacity and ideas for extracting the desirable outcome (Tait Blinco, 2014). The new pattern of thinking is nurtured by setting the aspirations free and determining the frequent learning process. The essay will specifically focus on the case scenario of Toyota, which is deemed to be a learning organisation. The necessity of undertaking such initiative will be analysed in this essay discussion section. The information derived from the underlying literature will also be much helpful for this study. Discussion In this current world, many of the organisations adopt the innovative learning process to enhance their productivity in a competitive scenario. Toyota Motors has faced the crisis situations due to which the sales production was required to split. In order to improve the operational process, each of the organisations keeps the major focus on resource allocation process (Pomsmeetings.org, 2016). Concentrating on such competitive scenario, Toyota decided to re-structure the functionalities to maintain the sustainable position in this current business world. In order to accomplish such business goals, the company has been concentrating on evaluating new strategies. The learning organisation is the staircase of achieving such motives and it occupies numerous innovative features that help in facilitating the growth opportunities (Khan et al. 2013). The learning organisations have to keep their focus on several dimensions, which have direct impacts on the organisational functionalities. Pet er Senge explained these included dimensions, such as System Thinking, Personal Mastery, Metal Models, Building Shared Vision, and Team Learning (Senge, 2014). Toyota Motors has adopted such technicalities to improve the operational functionalities as well strengthen the competitive position. It is necessary to analyse each of the dimension to understand the procedure of utilising different techniques to remain competitive. The first dimension of this learning process is System Thinking, which determines the elimination of the complexities associated with the functional systems. The purpose of system thinking is to be focused on the macro looks of the organisation instead of focusing on the individual units or events (Clark, Silvester Knowles, 2013). The close looks to this broad perspectives helps in identifying the cycles and patterns of the organisation more specifically. In fact, the interconnection between the organisation and associated members is also clarified through such closer analysis instead of viewing the isolated occurrences. In order to find such interconnections, there is the requirement of a proper system thinking approach. The associated system perspectives help in comprehending the shape of the organisational future (Clark, Silvester Knowles, 2013). It is even specifying the channels of the collective events for leading towards the shared vision determined by the organisation. It is noted that the system thinking approaches of Toyota Motors is one of the successful examples that can be applied to improve the business functionalities. It is noticed that in the year of 2006, Toyota Motors earned the net profit of almost $12bn and majority $8.4bn was invested for research and development process (Hubpages.com, 2016). It was a greater step that Toyota undertook whereas Ford and General Motors was threatened with bankruptcy. The system thinking approaches undertaken by Toyota Motors soon reached to the position of the largest motor manufacturer after defeating General Motors in US. Such learning procedure undertaken by Toyota was started in the year of 1950. Moreover, it was noticed that the company started offering lower cost and higher quality vehicles that was the most significant step (Senge, Hamilton Kania, 2015). The production system of the company is generally describing the lean thinking nature. Toyota Motors was then entitled as the system thinking c ompany. The first challenge faced by Toyota was with the control and command process. The focus on the customer demands, value sharing aspects, and managing flows are the major measurements that the company needed to look after while undertaking the system thinking approach. The next dimension is Personal Mastery, which describes the process of enhancing the focus or vision of the organisation by considering the frequent process of learning. Personal mastery clarifies the motivations of learning for the betterment of the future of an individual. Following principles for achieving the determined objectives is personified in exploration of this concept (Caldwell, 2012). The success of an organisation depends on the willingness of the individuals to learn more innovative techniques. The commitments of the individuals towards the organisation are thus necessarily needed to be identified. Similarly, Toyota has been concentrating on the individual learning process by adopting the proper training sessions. It helps in developing the professional and personal attributes that is necessary for driving the organisational functionalities. The next dimension is Mental Model, which is describing the procedure of taking an actions based on the assumptions, pictures, images, and generalisations. The recognition of these aspects helps in understanding the proper way of undertaking the relevant actions for achieving the determined purposes (Woodside, 2016). In such regards, the identification of the underlying challenges is essential. Apparently, it can be stated that the mind models are the set of assumptions and beliefs, which has the impacts on human behaviour. Toyota has undertaken such system analysis process for the betterment of the organisational functionalities. The competition in the automotive industry, especially with General Motors of US, has been pushing the company to undertake the innovative business functions. It is even helpful enough in improving the self-potentiality in a significant manner. Another dimension is focusing on Building Shared Vision. It is to be indicated that the shared vision is essential for ensuring the organisational success (Hitt, 2013). Establishment of the mission or values is needed to be shared with the other associates. Sharing the vision is motivating the people to drive them to outshine more significantly. It is to be noted that many of the leaders perceive a particular vision statement that remains unrevealed to the organisation (Senge, Hamilton Kania, 2015). These types of leaders maintain their charismatic appearance and value based approaches for motivating the associated individuals. However, it is important to note that the leaders create the positive impacts on the employees. When the leader leaves the organisation, the motivational factors become invisible accordingly. Similarly, Toyota Motors has been concentrating on sharing the organisational visions with the employees. The employees are the major priorities for the company. In fact , the management of Toyota has been focusing on motivational process that can bring more performance efficiency. Communicating or sharing the major motto of the company is thus helpful in guiding them towards accomplishing the organisational goals. The final dimension is Team Learning, which determines the contributions derived from the team members. Team learning is considered as the state when the team members gather together and perform the business functionalities to achieve the similar goals (Clark, Silvester Knowles, 2013). In this current era of business, it is noticed that business companies implement different types of strategies. The associated employees are strategically divided into fewer groups and share the proper vision to accomplish their objectives (Caldwell, 2012). The management teams are staffed with high performing group of employees who are leading the organisation towards success. The management needs to take the initiative for providing proper learning sessions to the employees to make them aware of the determined goals. Accordingly, structuring the functionalities that are influencing the work performance of these team members is necessary for the organisational progress. Similarly, Toyota has also bee n concentrating on the team performance. The different development and training programmes are effective enough for the associated employees to make them more efficient (Tait Blinco, 2014). They even receive the chance to develop their professional skills that are essential for the future prospects. Hence, the team learning is one of the most preferable and necessary dimensions associated with the organisational learning process. The above discussion is highlighting the diversified dimensions of learning process that helps in achieving the determined goals. Apparently, it is noticed that development of these dimensions will be beneficial for the organisation to achieve the determined excellence. However, it is not an easy process to adopt the entire dimensions all at once. The resource planning and development process is required. Hence Toyota requires identifying the necessary technicalities for establishing the learning process. Conclusion The essay is identifying the underlying concept of learning organisation with special reference to the initiatives undertaken by Toyota Motors. The diversified dimensions of learning process provide the insightful ideas about the diversified functions that each of the managements needs to adopt. Toyota has been following the innovative system thinking process that is much effective for achieving the pre-determined goals. The sharing vision and team learning process is interconnected. When the organisation sets the goal and structures the management functionalities to achieve such goal, it is necessary to share such determinations with the employees. The group work and learning process help in achieving such motto. Automatically, it helps in developing the personal and professional skills of the students. References Caldwell, R. (2012). Leadership and learning: A critical reexamination of Senges learning organization.Systemic Practice and Action Research,25(1), 39-55. Caldwell, R. (2012). Systems thinking, organizational change and agency: A practice theory critique of Senge's Learning Organization.Journal of Change Management,12(2), 145-164. Clark, D. M., Silvester, K., Knowles, S. (2013). Lean management systems: creating a culture of continuous quality improvement.Journal of clinical pathology,66(8), 638-643 Hitt, W. D. (2013). The learning organization: some reflections on organizational renewal.Employee Councelling Today. Hubpages.com, (2016). Why Toyota Motor Company is a Great Learning Organization. [online] HubPages. Available at: https://hubpages.com/business/Why-Toyota-Motor-Company-is-a-Great-Learning-Organization [Accessed 7 Dec. 2016]. Khan, M. S., Al-Ashaab, A., Shehab, E., Haque, B., Ewers, P., Sorli, M., Sopelana, A. (2013). Towards lean product and process development.International Journal of Computer Integrated Manufacturing,26(12), 1105-1116. Pomsmeetings.org, (2016). [online] Available at: https://www.pomsmeetings.org/confpapers/025/025-0234.pdf [Accessed 7 Dec. 2016]. Senge, P. M. (2014).The dance of change: The challenges to sustaining momentum in a learning organization. Crown Business. Senge, P., Hamilton, H., Kania, J. (2015). The dawn of system leadership.Stanford Social Innovation Review Winter,2015, 27-33. Tait, A., Blinco, K. (2014). Seeding a learning organisation.The Australian Library Journal,63(2), 94-107. Woodside, A. G. (2016). System Dynamics Research of Bad and Good Decision Processes and Outcomes. InMaking Tough Decisions Well and Badly: Framing, Deciding, Implementing, Assessing(pp. 53-67). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

King Leopolds Ghost Essays - Congo Free State, Social Philosophy

King Leopold's Ghost Out of sight mind is very convenient. If we don't see what is really going on it is easier for us as consumers to sleep at night. Capitalism, colonialism and slavery are still practiced today, but in foreign countries and in a different manner. Before reading King Leopold's Ghost, when I thought of slavery I thought of the transatlantic slave trade or Africans working as slaves in the US. After reading the book my eyes were open to a whole new perspective on slavery, capitalism and colonialism. When buying a product from a local store, one rarely inquires of the origin of the product's raw materials as well as the working conditions / living conditions of the employees who created it. Our clothes, toys, accessories, and many other items have more history than we decide to realize. Take the designer imitation shoes you bought on sale from Payless for $10. Did ever wonder why or how you could get such a ?Great Deal!? If the tag says ?MADE IN CHINA?, it was produced for very cheap labor possibly by children working and living in conditions we would find unbearable for ourselves. In a way it is slavery, because in poor countries jobs are often scarce and pay is bad. If you have a job you will go to extremes to keep it, not because you like the job, but because you need it to survive. The owner of the business knows that and therefore he or she has a control over your life. This form of slavery is linked directly to capitalism and communism first because capitalism is motivation due to a potential profit. Second because of the Dictators who run the country in such a way to allow those sorts of businesses to stay in production. King Leopold managed to deceive many countries into thinking that his interest in Africa was that of a humanitarian wanting to spread the word of god, when in reality it was his plan to enslave the people to harvest rubber and other raw materials of the region. I think that morally this was very wrong and it should not ever be repeated. When I look at it in a ?get the job done? sort of way it is hard not to give credit to King Leopold. His cruel yet innovative way of doing things got the job done. He wanted money, more power, and the appearance he was a humanitarian. Many of the products currently being produced are results of colonialism. Take Iraq for example, one reason the U.S. Government recently ?liberated? it because we wanted to stop Sadaam's reign of terror. This may be true, but an even stronger reason for the U.S. to send its military to that country is because of the raw material that is so abundant there, oil. Some say that the U.S. was in the wrong by entering Iraq. I feel that since the world today is greatly dependant on oil, it is only a matter of time some country will try to control it. I'd rather be a part of the country that controls it, than the country that doesn't. I don't fully condone this form of colonialism, but I am aware of it and how it has both positive and negative effects on the world and mainly the U.S. population. Without oil our country along with many others would not be able to operate. The country who controls the oil and who can defend itself the best has a great advantage over the rest of the world. The United States currently is in a similar position. Colonialism is defined as a policy in which a country rules other nations and develops trade for its own benefit. This has been going on even before Europeans started conquering and claiming different lands in name of their country. It still occurs today. The U.S. still has many territories in which it is active with forms of colonialism. My opinion on the book really has many aspects. The ?get the job done? aspect was mentioned earlier, but I think that more often our society really unconsciously wants someone to ?get the job done?, but not anywhere close enough for us

Google Services Privacy and Security Concerns

Google Services Privacy and Security Concerns Insecure Digital World In today’s digital world, the debate surrounding privacy and security cannot be stressed further. Internet users are at a constant risk of privacy and security violations by technology companies. Google Inc. is among the biggest tech companies today with billions of people around the world using its services. Nonetheless, these services have developed numerous concerns surrounding privacy and security. Google services such as Street View does not just take pictures but collects email and WIFI information from unsuspecting users nearby. These warring revelations illustrate an increased concern for privacy and security of users. Numerous Google services continue to violate privacy and security rights of users by not informing them that their information is being collected without their consent. Google Collects Info from People Who May Even not Be Using Their Services Google services violate privacy and security rights by accessing and collecting data from people who may even not be using their services. Rosenfeld states that Google admitted to collecting data and personal information from computers inside homes and buildings using their Google Street View cars that were thought to only take pictures for the service. The type of information collected included private information, emails, and passwords all from unsuspicious users. This tends to be a form of security concern since Google does not seek the consent of users before accessing their information. Moreover, it violates privacy rights as well as acts in an unethical manner by illegally accessing and collecting information from users who are even not using their services. Moreover, Google’s Gmail service was also found to be violating federal wiretap regulations. This is because the email service evaluates the content of all emails on its network using the information to sell it as of fshoots to advertisers. For instance, it is possible if one sends frequent emails about cars they are likely to get advertisements related to cars. Google did not make a point of informing Gmail users that it would collect and create individual profiles and target them with adverts. Again, even people who were sending messages to Gmail addresses did not agree for Google to analyze and use their messages for target advertising. Analyzing each and every message is a clear violation of privacy rights since each person is entitled to his/her privacy. Furthermore, by analyzing all kinds of emails, it is not clear how secure the services are since other people be it Google employees may access sensitive information. The Internet Has Been Overly Commercialized Google is also notorious for illegal tracking of its users who access the Internet. In 2012, Google was exposed for using an illegal code to by-pass anti-tracking abilities of Apple’s Safari browser. The secret and illegal code exposed millions of Safari browser to tracking without their knowledge even if they had turned on the anti-tracking abilities. Eventually, Google was found to have committed a privacy violation and fined $22.5 million by the Federal Trade Commission. The idea of well-respected multinational using secret codes just to track users clearly raises concerns in terms of security and privacy. Google clearly acted unethically in using secret codes without users being aware of tracking their online activities. This means that the company can go to any lengths to pursue its business objectives at the expense of user privacy rights and security. Illegal Collection of WIFI Passwords An additional issue is the illegal collection of WIFI passwords from millions of Android phone users. The company was exposed for collecting WIFI passwords for Android users who backed up their phones and allowed the Google service to restore their new phones. This means that Google knows nearly all WIFI passwords in the world. This is a clear violation of privacy since passwords and other vital information is deemed private and may indeed result in privacy and security concerns when accessed by companies such as Google. In its defense, Google has cited that the company was exploited by top U.S spymasters who illegally collected information without user consent. However, these are mere allegations that have no evidence, but the evidence of privacy and security violations can be proven beyond reasonable doubt. In conclusion, Google services continue to violate privacy and security rights of users by not informing them that their information is being collected without their consent. Some Google services can spy, pry, and secretly track information and user activities online. This tends to create increased concern for privacy and security of users. These issues may be far from resolving as even more advanced Google services are being launched. All stakeholders and mostly users have the obligation to determine where the red line lies to address privacy and security concerns.

To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes

To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes To Kill a Mockingbird is narrated by Jenna Louise ‛Scout’ Finch as n adult woman recalling her childhood so thoroughly the adult voice vanishes. One result of this layered narration is that the six-year old Scout seems very precocious both in her understanding of life and her vocabulary, both of which are subtly elevated for a child of her age. This technique allows Lee to explores her dark themes with both the light innocence of childhood and the complexity of adulthood, resulting in a timeless story that remains a beloved American classic. Quotes From To Kill a Mockingbird Quotes about Racism â€Å"Why reasonable people go stark raving mad when anything involving a Negro comes up, is something I dont pretend to understand.† [Chapter 9] While Atticus Finch is deservedly one of the most beloved characters in American literature for his wisdom, compassion, and courage, he’s not perfect. One of his noble imperfections is a sometimes blind faith in justice and fairness, and a bafflement at the racist and unfair attitudes of those around him. Here he expresses an honest befuddlement that other people forget their principles of empathy and fairness whenever a black person is involved. â€Å"I think theres just one kind of folks. Folks.† [Chapter 23] This simple line, spoken by Jem at the end of the novel, may be the simplest expression of the fundamental theme of the story. Jem and Scout’s adventures throughout the story have shown them many sides of many different people, and Jem’s conclusion is a powerful one: All people have flaws and struggles, strengths and weaknesses. Jem’s conclusion is not the starry-eyed faith of childhood, but a more measured and mature realization that no one group of people is better- or worse- in general than any other. Quotes about Growing Up â€Å"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.† [Chapter 2] Part of Scout’s journey in the story is the slow broadening of her awareness. Just six years old when the story begins, she has a very narrow view of the world and her role in it. But by bit her experiences over the years change her. She sees how gender and race, class and economics affect the way people treat you. She sees that her universe is not eternal and guaranteed, and thus begins to appreciate the aspects of her life that she took for granted- like reading. â€Å"Scout, I think Im beginning to understand something. I think Im beginning to understand why Boo Radleys stayed shut up in the house all this time... its because he wants to stay inside.† [Chapter 23] Jem’s quote towards the end of the story is heartbreaking. In his teen years by this point, Jem has seen the bad parts of his neighbors and is disappointed and disturbed by the realization that there is so much violence, hatred, and prejudice in the world. His expression of empathy for Boo Radley is also significant- like his sister, Jem has progressed from viewing Boo as a phantom and an object of fun to seeing him as a human being, and, even more importantly, being able to imagine Boo’s motivations for his actions and behavior. â€Å"Bad language is a stage all children go through, and it dies with time when they learn theyre not attracting attention with it.† [Chapter 9] Atticus is often perceived by his neighbors as an unqualified parent, in part because of his gender- in 1930s American society men were not seen as having the proper emotional and domestic skills to be single parents- and in part because of his bookish, mild-mannered nature. He is, however, a very smart and loving father and a man who has an almost supernatural understanding of the childish psyche. When Scout begins using profanities as a novelty, his reaction is mild and unconcerned because he understands this is just part of Scout growing up, testing boundaries, and play-acting with adult things. This also demonstrates his understanding that Scout is intelligent and verbal, and is excited by forbidden and mysterious vocabularies. Quotes about Justice â€Å"There are just some kind of men who- whore so busy worrying about the next world theyve never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.† [Chapter 5] Lee crafts a subtly iconoclastic and liberal tone in the novel. Here Miss Maudie is complaining specifically about the local Baptists who disapprove of her garden because it supposedly represents pridefulness that offends god, but it is also a general admonishment to anyone who seeks to impose their own sense of propriety on other people. This concept forms a part of Scout’s evolving understanding of the difference between what’s morally right and what society insists is correct. â€Å"Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try to win.† [Chapter 9] In the beginning of the novel, Scout’s concept of justice and right and wrong is very and simple (as is appropriate for a girl of her age). She believes it is easy to know what is right, she is always willing to fight for it, and she believes that by fighting she will be victorious. Her experiences with racism, Tom Robinson, and Boo Radley teach her that not only is right and wrong often more difficult to parse, but sometimes you fight for what you believe in even if you are bound to lose- just as Atticus fights for Tom even though he is doomed to fail. â€Å"The one place where a man ought to get a square deal is in a courtroom, be he any color of the rainbow, but people have a way of carrying their resentments right into a jury box. As you grow older, youll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and dont you forget it- whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash.† [Chapter 23] Atticus has immense faith in the fundamental systems of America, in particular the court system. Here he states two beliefs that define him: One, the supreme confidence that the legal system is impartial and fair; two, that all men are deserving of the same fair treatment and respect and those who would treat you differently because of your race or social position are unworthy. Atticus is forced to admit the former is not as true as he would like when Tom is convicted despite the robust defense Atticus provides, but his faith in the latter remains by the end of the book. Quotes about Innocence â€Å"Mockingbirds dont do one thing but make music for us to enjoy... but sing their hearts out for us. Thats why its a sin to kill a mockingbird.† [Chapter 10] The central symbol of the novel is the Mockingbird, which is held as sacred because it does no harm- it only provides music, making it a sin to kill one. Several characters are obliquely or explicitly identified with Mockingbirds throughout the novel- The Finches are linked through their evocative last name, for example, and Scout thinks that doing any harm to Boo Radley would be like shooting a Mockingbird when she finally see him for the innocent, childlike soul he is.

Historical Development of Modern Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Historical Development of Modern Nursing - Essay Example This means that they have the right to actively participate and collaborate with the healthcare provider. In order to achieve a maximum level of wellness, a nurse should be mindful of the consumer’s rights for the need for care. The environment, being a major determinant, ranges from the individual’s home to hospital agencies and the society. An individual’s environment is very important in determining one's health. Environmental factors can be psychological, spiritual, legal, political, and economical, among others. Other temporal aspects that may determine individual’s health are the family, community, the general health care system and the individuals themselves. An individual’s genetic characteristics and life experiences determine the health factors. A philosophy has to understand that an individual’s life is a continuum which extends from a high level of wellness to cessation. Individuals have adaptive and recuperative abilities which d etermine the extent of altering ones health status depending on the movement of the individual on the continuum, either towards the positive or the negative as a response to the health care system intervention. Wellness is a dynamic state of physical, psychological, spiritual and social well being. ... This is because people performed it as a compassionate wish of helping others without the recognition of it as nursing. Mainly, it naturally belonged to women as a nurturing job, with an expectation of looking after the sick, the young and the elderly. At this age, there was no training in regards to care giving. In the majority of cases, it was based on experience and observation. They believed that illness came as a result of invasion by evil spirits to individual’s body. Using magic, charms, hypnosis among others, people believed that medicine men and witchdoctors had power over the evil. The final option to send away evil spirits from a person involved trephining where a hole was drilled into the individual’s skull without anesthesia. Middle Aged Nursing During this period, crusaders, prisoners and religious orders provided care. There was no formal education or people under the direction of experienced nursing or any job training. Religious orders from Christian ch urches had basic nursing experience and provided guidance and direction. At this period, there was Protestantism with followers confiscating hospital and school properties connected to Roman Catholicism. This made nursing go to the lowest level, with nurses fleeing for their lives. This created a shortage of nurses and many hospitals closed, leading to no provision for the sick and no care at all. This rendered nursing the work of less enviable women, drunks, prostitutes and prisoners. Because of the situation, cleric Theodore Fliedner and Frederika, his wife, set up the Kaiserswerth institution to train Deaconesses, which was the first formal training school for nurses in Germany. At this school, Florence Nightingale

White Collar Crime and Whistle Blowing in the USA Essay

White Collar Crime and Whistle Blowing in the USA - Essay Example Criminal behavior has been treated as both an individual or organizational propensity and as an event. Among the elements named to describe criminal behavior are inspiration as this is the will of one to stray, liberty from social restraints impunity connecting to losses, skill, and occasion (Ostrow, 2006). The factors may interrelate in several ways, but the part of occasion is central too much White Collar Crimes Chances have both personal and objective scopes. The last issue that must be clarified is that corruption, the procedure whereby specific activities, objects, and individuals come to be definite as criminal (Ostrow, 2006). This approach of the study focuses on the roots of White Collar Crimes laws in given examples, their identifications, and guidelines and on the examination, prosecution, and judgment of white-collar crimes. In a recent white-collar crime, two lawyers were charged together with a spouse of one of them as they acted as business partners. In the crime, they acted as business partners as they exploited every person that they could to defraud a program in Louisianan tax system where they intended to encourage expansion of the film industry. A federal prosecutor a New Orleans jury reported this. Michael Arata who is a defendant and a businessperson and a New Orleans lawyer reported a huge cost which were not honest to the state for rehabilitating a broken-down city house into a post-production facility so that they could obtain one million in tax credit. Through a mail, he joked to one of his friends on how he was charging bogus legal fee for fraudulent tax credits. Chendra Menon, the assistant United States Attorney, reported this to the jury. In the case, both Arata and those who produced the movie, Peter and Susan Hoffman were charged with conspiracy. In the case, the evidences, which wer e submitted, were those of mail

Elementary Education Essay Example for Free

Elementary Education Essay Thesis: Elementary teachers may not have highest income, but they have one of the most fulfilling careers. Introduction: When thinking back to elementary school, what most people remember the best, are the teachers they had along the way. Elementary teachers not only introduce their students to the basic concepts of core subjects, they also help pave the path to each student’s future success. While the income may not be the highest available, watching students develop a new skill or grow an appreciation for learning can be very rewarding. I. What is the role of an elementary school teacher? a. Elementary teachers play an important part in not only the intellectual development but also the social development of their students. What students learn at a young age can affect the way they see themselves, others, and the world later in life. b. Elementary teachers have the responsibility of introducing their students to the core subjects of mathematics, language, science, and social studies. II. Education, Training, and Certification c. The normal route to becoming a teacher involves receiving a bachelor’s degree from a teacher education program, then obtaining a license. Teachers in private schools are not required to be licensed. d. Each state honors its own individual certifications. However, The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers a voluntary national certification, which is also honored by each state. Having a National Boards certification usually results in a higher income. III. Salary and Employment e. Teaching salaries vary by state, experience level, and location. f. Elementary teachers hold about 1. 5 million jobs. Employment is projected to grow about as fast as average, increasing 7-13% from 2008 to 2018. Elementary Education: Shaping the Minds of the Future When thinking back to elementary school, what most people remember the best, are the teachers they had along the way. Elementary teachers not only introduce their students to the basic concepts of core subjects, they also help pave the path to each student’s future success. Education to become a teacher is long and tedious, and while the income may not be the highest available, watching students develop a new skill or grow an appreciation for learning can be very rewarding. Because there will always be a need for education, even with the recent budget cuts, teaching jobs will always have to be available somewhere. Elementary teachers play an important part in the intellectual development as well as the social development of their students. The education of young children can affect the way they view themselves, other people, and the world, and their success throughout life. Usually, one elementary teacher will teach several subjects to one class, of about 20 students. However, some will work in teams with other teachers, depending on the type of school (â€Å"Career Information: Elementary School Teachers. †). Teachers are faced with the responsibility of nurturing their students as well as their education. In the early years of elementary school, teachers introduce their students to the concepts of reading, writing, and counting. In the later years of elementary, teachers have the task of introducing the concepts of mathematics, language, science, and social studies. Teachers also have multiple behind-the-scenes duties. Teachers have the duty of creating daily lesson plans based on state requirements, assigning homework and making tests. They must keep records of grades made on homework assignments and tests. Teachers develop the materials that help students learn solving and reasoning. They also meet with parents of their students to discuss progress, lack of progress, and any discipline problems that may be occurring (Elementary School Teachers. ). The traditional education route to becoming an elementary teacher involves earning a bachelor’s degree from a teacher education program, and then earning a license. A teacher’s education program normally includes courses such as the general mathematics, physical science, social science, music, art, and literature, as well as prescribed professional education courses, such as psychology of learning, and teaching methods. Normally, 4-year school schools require students to wait until their sophomore year before applying for admission to teacher education programs. Teacher education programs also require students to perform a student-teaching internship. It is not required to graduate from an accredited teacher education program to become a teacher, but it will make fulfilling license requirements easier. After receiving a bachelor’s degree, one should obtain a license from a teacher education program. The State Board of Education or a licensure advisory committee grants licensure. Teachers earn their degree in five different categories: the early childhood grades (preschool through third grade), the elementary grades (grades one through six or eight), the middle grades (grade five through eight), a specific secondary subject, or a special subject, such as music. Teaching in private schools does not require a license. The requirements for regular licenses vary by state. Each state individually issues and honors their teaching licenses. However, The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards offers a national certification. All 50 states honor this certification, and in some cases, teachers will receive special benefits for this certification. These benefits can include higher salaries, and reimbursement for continuing education and certification fees (Teachers Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary. ). The salaries of teachers can vary by school location, teacher experience, and level of education. Public school teachers in elementary schools earn an average of $47,602. Private school teachers earn anywhere between $43,580 and $48,690. However, there are a few ways to increase a salary. Teachers have the option to teach summer school, sponsor or coach extra-curricular activities, or take on other extra duties at the school. Despite being on the lower end of income, teachers do have a non-monetary compensation of fulfillment, while watching their students develop new skills and learn new concepts (â€Å"Teacher Career Salary Expectations. †). Elementary teachers hold around 1. 5 million jobs. As well as affecting a teacher’s salary, the subjects and grade levels one is capable of teaching, and location can affect job opportunities. Jobs in inner cities and rural areas will be easier to find compared to the suburban districts. Minority teachers will be in higher demand because of an increase in minority enrollment, and the lack of minority teachers. Due to a greater public interest in education as well as better pay prospects, the supply of teachers is expected to grow, and employment is expected to grow as fast as average, increasing 7-13%, in the next six years (â€Å"Career Information: Elementary School Teachers. †). Teachers will always be able to find jobs due to the fact that there will always be a demand for learning. Elementary teachers make a huge impact on the lives of young children. Some teachers are remembered as role models; some are remembered as more of a parental figure, and some may just provide fond memories. Either way, they are an important part of each student’s life. They help their students develop important skills that will lead them to success in their future. Works Cited Career Information: Elementary School Teachers. Campus Explorer. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2012. http://www. campusexplorer. com/careers/DE17C02B/elementary-school-teachers/. Elementary School Teachers. Oklahoma Career Information Center. 2011. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. http://www. okcis. intocareers. org/info2. aspx? FileID=OccFileNum=100309TopicNum=0. Teachers Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary. U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 17 Dec. 2009. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. http://www. bls. gov/oco/ocos318. htm. Teaching Career Salary Expectations. EduDecisions. com. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. http://www. edudecisions. com/articles/teaching/salaries. php.