Last month, George Pernsteiner, Chancellor of the Oregon University System posed the question, "how do we educate enough Oregonians that they and the state are successful?" This question was posed as it relates to graduating high school, technical schools and college students and their contributions to growing the state. While I think there's no question we need to educate everyone to be a contributing member of the state, and society, in particularly increasing the high school graduation rate, here are three simple thoughts on educating not just enough, but all students. Numero Uno: Expectation Raise the expectation on all students and they'll achieve it. The US military uses the crawl, walk, run philosophy. Maybe a Zero (Big 0) Failure policy statewide? While the statewide policy is focused on closing the achievement gap, the plan is executed at the district level in the classroom. Who holds districts accountable? The parents and school board of those districts of … [Read more...]

Have you ever felt looking for a job incredibly difficult? Maybe confusing? Just stop. Stop and refocus. What's the objective? The objective is to get started, started anywhere, a job that pays (or provides skills) and can lead you closer to your dream job. Take it in steps and remain focused on the objective. Getting Started There's two options to get started: 1. where everyone goes, and 2. When you get calls. Let's focus on these two shall we? Where Everyone Goes The majority will go online to major job board websites and company/organization sites. While this can provide a ton of options, you're also competing (don't get me wrong, competing is good) with dozens, if not hundreds of other job seekers. But do it. Putting your name in is like putting your business card at restaurants for a chance to win a lunch. You don't win unless you participate. More and more company's/organizations have pages on Facebook. Review their products/services and what customers are saying. This … [Read more...]