Tips on How To Get a Teaching Job

Teacher and student in a school classroom

Start your search early (earlier than you think!)

The VERY latest a teacher can hand in their notice is 31st May, but most teachers will have a very good idea as to when they want to retire/ move on, so start your search around November. If you’re lucky, someone might not be able to last longer than a term so you can fill their shoes, but if not, you’ll be one of the first to apply and be at the top of their pile when it comes round to looking through applications later in the school year.

Be picky – Know what YOU want

If you have been teaching for a while, you will have your own teaching style and you’ll know how you want to run things. When applying for teaching jobs, remember to read, carefully, how the school is run so that you’re aware how much prep time is available, if admin duties are taken into consideration and other important factors.

Tailor your application to each job

There is nothing worse than a re-hashed/ half-arsed cover letter and CV. I can guarantee that it will be obvious to the person reading it and it’ll quickly be filed (in the bin). Highlight the key skills which are relevant to the job and that will help you to stand out as a front runner. Also, the name of the headmaster should be easily available, so you have no excuse to use “Dear Sir/ Madam”.

Ask someone for a second opinion

If you’ve been teaching a while, you should know some other teachers, so why not ask them to have a look over your application to see if they can help you. Extra tip- ask one of the English teachers to double check your spelling and grammar, there is nothing worse than simple mistakes being missed.

Give them a call

Once you have sent off your application, which should have been sent with plenty of time before the deadline, why not give the school a ring to make sure they have received your application. As well as double checking your dream job had received your CV, it’s also an easy way to prove to the school that you are keen and motivated for the role.

Be prepared- Just like Scouts

When you have an interview lined up, make sure you have researched the school very well. You’ll probably have to teach a lesson so remember to create a well-structured and engaging lesson plan. Your aim in the lesson should be to push the smarter children, whilst allowing the less bright children to achieve too.

Do what you do best- Teach

When you’re in front of those kids, try not to freeze up just because you’re doing it with others in the room marking you. Teaching is what you were born to do, so just go about as you normally would and remember to show the kids who’s boss.

And if you don’t succeed- Try. Try. Try again.

You should ask for feedback from the employer regarding what you could do next time to really impress them and get the job you want.

The Most Expensive Universities

Here are the staggering annual fees some of the top US Universities and Colleges have set -

Yale University – $53,900

Established: 1701

Academic staff: 3,619

Students: 11,593

Notable alumni: George Bush Senior and Junior, Bill Clinton, Meryl Streep and Jodie Foster.

 

Northwestern University – $54,225

Established: 1851

Academic staff: 3,108

Students: 19,184

Notable alumni: David Schwimmer, Zach Braff, Zooey Deschanel, Jerry Springer, memebers of Arcade Fire and OK Go.

 

University of Chicago – $54,252

Established: 1890

Academic staff: 2,168

Students: 15,438

Notable alumni: Carl Sagan, Milton Friedman, Edwin Hubble and Samuel P. Huntington.

 

Babson College – $54,450

Established: 1919

Academic staff: 308

Students: 5,290

Notable alumni: Bernard Lee, Michael Bastian and Scott Sharp.

 

Carnegie Mellon University – $54,800

Established: 1900

Academic staff: 1,423

Students: 11,955

Notable alumni: Andy Warhol, John Forbes Nash, Ted Danson and George Romero.

 

Stanford University – $55,200

Established: 1891

Academic staff: 1,910

Students: 15,319

Notable alumni: Sergey Brin, Lawrence Page, John McEnroe, Tiger Woods, Sigourney Weaver, Reese Witherspoon and Jay Roach.

 

Dartmouth College – $56,555

Established: 1769

Academic staff: 607

Students: 6,141

Notable alumni: Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Laura Ingraham, Charles Alfred Pillsbury and John Donahoe.

 

University of Pennsylvania – $58,244

Established: 1740

Academic staff: 4,246

Students: 21,329

Notable alumni: Donald Trump, Warren Buffett, Noam Chomsky and John Legend.

 

Colombia University – $58,380

Established: 1754

Academic staff: 3,634

Students: 27,606

Notable alumni: Theodore Roosevelt, Barack Obama, Art Garfunkel, Hunter S. Thompson and Kathryn Bigelow.

 

Harvard University – $60,610

Established: 1636

Academic staff: 2,107

Students: 21,225

Notable alumni: John F. Kennedy, Al Gore, George W. Bush, Bill Gates, Conan O’Brien, Natalie Portman, Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones, Tom Morello and Mark Zuckerberg.

How to Choose an Irish Pizza Delivery Service

When you are choosing a pizza delivery service, there are a number of things that you need to consider. This is to ensure that you get the best delivery that is available in Ireland. Pizza is one of the most common takeaways in Ireland. It is among the traditional foods in Ireland and is made using recipes that make use of Irish ingredients. However, in order to enjoy these pizzas, you have to be sure that you are getting them from an excellent source.

The first thing that you should check on when choosing a delivery service is the cost. The rates charged on pizza deliveries differ from one area to another. It is wise that you compare the different rates charged so that you end up with a reasonably priced service. Some of the delivery services charge depending on how far you are from the restaurant. If the delivery cost is separate from the main cost, then you should also find out how much it will cost. If the prices are reasonable, you can also keep some money for tipping the delivery person. Although a great option, don’t forget you can also order Chinese food when in Ireland, such as Chinese Cork delivery with Just-Eat.

The second thing that you need to is check the variety of pizzas available. If you get the same delivery each time, you might end up getting tired of eating the same thing over and over. Therefore, you should also consider the variety in the flavours of pizza. These include the ingredients that are used to make the pizza. You can also enquire if there are other foods that are done by the pizza delivery service, in case you want to eat something else.

If possible you should also choose a delivery service that has a custom menu. This allows you to decide the exact delivery that you want even if it is not on the usual menu. For example, for pizzas you can choose a takeaway that allows you to choose the toppings. This means that you can have only the ingredients that you like in your pizza and eliminate the ones you do not want. This gives you a pizza that is according to your taste and is quite convenient if you have allergies.

Consider flexibility and nutritional value of the takeaway food

It is also wise that you consider the nutrition that you get from your pizza. When choosing a pizza takeaway you should also consider how nutritious the food served is. For example, you can check to see if there is vegetable or fruits pizza available on top of the normal meat pizzas. This provides you with a lot of nutritious content and also improves your health. This is recommended by health experts since vegetables and fruits have a lot of vitamins and nutrients.

Flexibility is also crucial when you are choosing a delivery service. This includes the areas and times of delivery whether it is at home or in the office. When you are choosing a delivery service, you should get a pizza parlour that operates throughout the night. This will offer you assurance of getting your pizza delivered at any time. There are a number of online pizza delivery services; however, you should ensure that you find a delivery service that reaches the area you live in.

Customer service is quite important when you are choosing a pizza delivery service. This is quite essential in case you have any problem with your delivery. For example, if there is a delay in your delivery, you should be able to call customer care and ask about the hold up. Most pizza takeaways provide email addresses, but you can also enquire if there is a phone number available. This makes it easy for you to quickly access help.

When choosing a parlour for pizza deliveries, you should also choose one that offers money back guarantee. For example, if you have paid for a delivery that does not come through, you should be able to get your money back. This should also be the case if you get a delivery that you had not asked for. However, it is wise that you choose a pizza parlour that has an excellent record in serving customers. These are some of the things that you should always pay attention to that you when you are choosing a pizza delivery service.

All these great foods can be ordered at http://www.just-eat.ie/.

The Rewards of Enrolling in a Photography Course

Photography is for people who truly understand that there is always a better way to capture the beauty of a sunrise, a more concrete way to keep the memory of a child’s smile, a fine art of seizing the elegance of an eagle in flight.

Did you ever see a beautiful scene, excitedly took a picture only to feel disappointed that the result is nowhere near the drama of the actual scene? Maybe a photography course is for you.

While some are born with artistic instincts, they are a minority. Even innate talent is not enough, as there are plenty of advancements in the technology should be known for anyone to become a great photographer. Photography is both an art and a science. While many people can deal with the art, one thing is inescapable–the science behind a great photograph. And this is where a photography course would be useful, and great digital cameras become necessities.

So how do you enter into the serious, yet exhilirating world of photography?

First, find out where you can get photography lessons.There is perhaps as many different schools as there are different great digital cameras. Choose the best one based on the price, proximity and the level of expertise that you honestly want to get. There maybe groups within your are who organize introductory photography courses at minimal fees. These maybe the best places for you to start if you are not yet too decided in making photography a serious business.

Oftenimes, the course would prove to be an exciting journey in itself. Expect trips aimed at finding noteworthy subjects like historical places, wildlife, places and events that you have never been before. Or, the instructor may want you to simply go to the marketplace or church. These exercises will be aimed at honing your artistic skills and taste, at encouraging you to see and capture ordinary things in a artistic perspective.

Again,a great digital camera would be a requirement. Choose one that will match up to the level of expertise you will be getting. A lot of beginners mistakenly buy a cheaper camera, only to outgrow them once they finish the course. They end up disposing the old one to buy a more advanced camera, resulting in a waste of investment.

So which one will be best for beginners? Innovations in technology is so fast that to name a single camera or feature today will make the advice obsolete tomorrow.It is best to discuss with an instructor or anybody who has taken the course before.Bear in mind that a great digital camera is one that you would not need to replace after you finish the course.Rather, you should simply be adding additional accessories to cope with your growing needs.

After completing the course, people tend to earn by specializing according to subject, which is actually a matter of personal taste. There is a wide variety to choose from: wildlife, sports, showbiz personalities, even war correspondents.

Most, however, would be contented in giving family members the most memorable and beautiful pictures they can get; and even that is enough reason for a photography course to be worth everything you put into it.

How Businesses can use the PRINCE2 Project Management Methodology

Project management has become a vital part in any business structure. Most small to medium enterprises (SMEs) have their own project management departments, and some smaller businesses offer project management as their primary source of business. Quality project management brings multiple advantages to any project, the most important being time and money saving. Project management can save time and money by carefully structuring each part of the project process and focusing on the parts that are really important, while at the same time avoiding non-relevant parts that would waste precious resources.

PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) is a process based method for effective project management. It is a method and standard used by the British government, but it has found its place in the private sector both in the UK and internationally.

In every project management there should be a few basic questions answered before starting including:
1. What is the goal of the project?
2. When will the project start?
3. What will the project require?
4. Can the project be accomplished alone or with outside assistance?
5. When will it end?
6. What will be the costs?

These questions will be the base of the project and the essential part for the structured project management. That means that the project can be managed in a logical, organized way by following defined steps.

PRINCE2 methodology states that each project should have an organized and controlled start, an organized and controlled middle and an organized and controlled end. That basically means that you should know what the project is about before starting unprepared, follow the plan of the project and follow through when the project is completed in order not to leave anything unfinished.

Business can use the PRINCE2 methodology to improve their project management because it offers a specialized and proven method for project management. It breaks up a project into sensible segments which can be monitored, and more importantly, it closely defines each role in the project management so that there is no confusion about who is doing what part of the project. It also offers a transparent project model so everyone involved in the project can see the current status. Communication is also brought to attention and this method establishes very stable and consistent communication lines within the project structures.

Another interesting feature of the PRINCE2 methodology is the presence of control mechanisms. These are usually board based, and they include all sides of the projects such as project managers, investors, users and suppliers.

Review of the project and learning from the mistakes made is easy with PRINCE2 due to its report and follow through methods with which each step is carefully and fully documented and recorded.

PRINCE 2 courses offer certification for project management in several stages. The Foundation certificate is a requirement for those who want to learn the basics and terminology of this method. Practitioner certificate is meant for those who want to manage project within a PRINCE2 environment.

Six Ways to Save Energy Around the House

Saving energy is a big contemporary concern, and whether it’s the climate or the costs that cause it to be at the forefront of your mind, it’s generally something that it quite literally pays to be aware of. Regardless of your reasons, what can you do to save energy around your home?

  • Think about changing suppliers

Let’s get the biggest one out of the way first: changing energy suppliers can really save you quite a lot of money. Much like checking heating oil prices in various places, it’s usually a good idea to at least look around and see what other offers are available.

  • Have a shower instead of a bath

An old ‘un but a good ‘un, choosing to have a shower instead of a bath can save you around 40 litres of hot water. If you’re lucky enough to have a power shower, however, beware: they often use more water than a bath. Additionally, be careful of running your taps throughout the house for too long or you’ll end up quite literally pouring money down the drain.

  • Energy saving light bulbs

Energy saving light bulbs, while often costing slightly more than the normal variety, can save you a great deal of money in the long run. They also last around twelve times longer than their standard counterparts, meaning that you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.

  • Switch things off

This is a big one. Make sure you always turn the lights off when you leave the room (and use energy saving light bulbs if at all possible; see above), and remember that while leaving the television or your PC on standby might seem like a good idea it actually wastes a deceptive amount of energy.

  • Cook responsibly

Make sure you pick the right ring size when using the cooker; you’ll waste energy if you spend ages heating a huge pot of potato on the smallest ring, or try and simmer some sauce on the biggest. Additionally try not to leave the fridge door open for long when retrieving ingredients; it’ll take three times as long as you had it open for to cool down.

  • Turn down the temperature

You can turn down the temperature on your hot water tank, washing machine and central heating; all of these tend to be higher than they need to be, and will save a substantial amount of both energy and money (although that said home heating oil can actually be quite cheap).

Is Chocolate Good For You?

Andy is a copy writer who has been working on behalf of The Sanctuary spa breaks and spa days that make perfect gifts for mum. Here is his article about the benefits of eating chocolate.

Valentines day is soon upon us, which will either see loved ones buying each other a box of chocolates  and other gifts, or will see us singletons dive into the nearest supermarket to buy as much ice cream as you can carry and heading home in solitarily to watch a soppy romantic film.

But in this spirit of a lonesome Valentines days, the only solace the singletons have is that whilst the couples are having a romantic time enjoying each others company, they are shortening their life spans by enjoying the sweet chocolate poison.

But to the disappointment of myself and so many other people celebrating/commiserating Valentines day alone, recent studies have shown how chocolate (in moderation) can improve many aspects of your life;

Full of antioxidants

Antioxidants famous for their heart protecting reputation, polyphenols, are found in abundance in most types of chocolate, and are even more common in dark chocolate. A 20g piece of dark chocolate contains the same amount of heart attack preventing polyphenols as a cup of green tea. There are also protective oligomers found in dark chocolate, whilst this might not mean anything at the moment, you will no doubt have heard that having a high cholesterol is certain to increase chances of a heart attack, well these oligomers help prevent cholesterol from being absorbed into the body.

Other heart related problems to be helped by chocolate is the fact that 100g of dark chocolate a day can reduce blood pressure by 5.1/1.8mmHg, which is proven to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 21%.

So chocolate is good for the heart, and not only because of the warm feeling when you receive it as a romantic gesture.

Full of feel good

There’s a reason that many people say chocolate is better than sex, because quite often it is. Dependent on the chocolate, it can alter the chemical levels of the brain, resulting in an increase of mood-altering phenylethylamine, which can induce a mild light headed, confidence instilling buzz.

The other chemical chocolate contains is tryptophan, a chemical that is linked directly to the release of serotonin in the brain, and we all know how serotonin in the brain results in a lifted mood and an increased sense of euphoria.

And let’s not forget theobromine, a stimulant that has the same outcome as caffeine in that it perks you up a moderate amount, and then there is the caffeine itself, which taken in small quantities can improve fat metabolism, endurance and alertness. Coming in handy for those long Valentine nights.

It’s not all good news – Calories

There are of course some cons to watch out for when seriously considering planning chocolate into your diet. The main concern for many people is the calories, 100g of chocolate typically contains over 500kcals.

There are also other additives that are not found in every chocolate, but the sugar that is contained in most has obvious negative connotations such as links to obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. But it is the same that everything in moderation is ok as long as you look after yourself in the standard ways such as eating generally healthily, exercising and brushing and flossing your teeth, chocolate can be enjoyed on a daily basis.

So try not to wallow in self pity, grab yourself one of the finest dark chocolate bars you can, sit back, relax and stick that same sad soppy film on knowing all the benefits you will be making to your health by enjoying a bar of chocolate.

5 Top Tips For The Perfect Business Card

The business card is one of the most understated marketing tools, it sits there quietly in your pocket just waiting for the moment you need to hand your details over, no fuss, just nice and simple. It’s because it’s so simple it that it doesn’t always get the attention it needs especially when it comes to the design.

Here are 5 top tips to bear in mind next time your designing your business card.

Keep It simple

Your business cards’ primary function is to get your contact details across in a simple and easy to read format. It doesn’t need to sell you or your services, that’s what you can do in person.  It doesn’t need to promote your services; that’s what your website is for. The next time someone needs what you’re selling they just need to remember who you are and grab your business card to find out how they can get in touch.

Make The Obvious Stand Out

Everyone wants their business card to be the one that stands out from the crowd but there are certain pieces of information that are more important than others, your name and your business name for example are going to be more important than your Twitter account. Have a primary form of contact and make that the stand out one, if you have an office number and a home number and a mobile number and extension numbers on top of that you’re throwing a lot of numbers at someone so make sure the important parts are easy to read.

Invest In An Original Logo

You can go to a machine in the train station to get your business cards printed, or you could invest in a cheap online printing service if you want to but if you’re going to cut corners it’s going to show. The problem with cheap business card printing is you’re only going to get a very select number of images to chose from and if you want to look professional you need an original and unique logo on your card. You don’t have to hire a state of the art design agency; just spent an hour or two playing about with Photoshop and it will make a lot of difference.

Prove You’re Up To Date

We’ve already established you don’t want to overload your business card with too much information but it needs to prove you’re up to the job no matter what services you’re offering. At the very least you need to have a website and an email address no matter what industry you’re in. If you do anything with video you might want to have a link to your work on YouTube, if you’re a photographer you might want a link to your work on Flicker.

Comply With Brand Guidelines

Your business card needs to be an extension of your other offline marketing and your website. You need consistency across things like logo, colours and even fonts. Theoretically this should make designing your business card a lot easier but remember you’re not going to be able to fit everything on this one small piece of card.

5 Ways To Find Online Mispricing Errors

nokia lumiaAs an increasing number of niche marketers and business owners open up online stores, and retail giants increase their e-commerce activity as a long term solution to falling high street consumer buying, a transitional period has fallen upon us which has created a whirlwind of online pricing mistakes and deal anomalies. This, in conjunction with consumers increasingly socially sharing deals and no longer being reserved or shy in taking advantage in an economically struggling Britain has led to a change in the way in which we all shop and has given breed to a number of ‘lurkers’, shoppers who are ready to pounce and cash in on genuine human errors or database issues.  This change to the way we all shop is seeing people bulk buy products in order to re-sell them at a profit or simply to save money annually. Saving money through mispricing is a tactic used from entrepreneurial individuals in their bedrooms, to schools in Marion USA, and SME’s looking to grow their business with minimal budget.

Pricing issues on websites occur when either a genuine human error has listed a product or deal incorrectly or an automatic database system is configured inaccurately and provides a window of opportunity for consumers to manipulate loopholes in their systems.

At the moment, some companies are honouring misprice deals and are accepting that it is their mistake which is earning them brand trust. Other companies however are refusing to honour deals and their brands are taking a battering on consumer action forums. The law is yet to catch up on this growing consumer behaviour.

If you’re interested in taking advantage before the law does eventually change, here are five ways in which you can find online mispricing errors:

1: Sort From Low To High

This is a relatively simple but time consuming process. You all know those filtering options in the sidebar of an ecommerce store which allow you to filter results from low to high? Use them. Regardless of the industry, take a look at all the categories on their website and filter from low to high. If a misprice occurs, you’ll quickly be able to spot an item which you know is worth a lot more, hovering on the first pages. It’ll just jump out at you. Snap it up on your credit card as soon as possible.

2: Visit A Website In The Early Hours

In the early hours of a morning is when most retailers update their databases and websites, ready for the early morning buying cycle. If ever a misprice is going to occur is likely to be then. Google shopping is also a great place to check out at this time as this is generally the time that most companies submit their shopping feed to Google.

3: Visit A Website At Its Re-Launch or Update

When a company update their catalogue, website or database, this is the time where the majority of mispricing errors are likely to occur. Teething problems occur in websites the same, if not more so than if they were high street stores opening for the first time. Things just have a way of messing up and when a company is dealing with thousands of new products or a new system, you can take advantage of the early mistakes.

4: Sign Up To Hot UK Deals

Hot UK deals is a platform where shoppers list both their best deals found locally and online. This includes a high number of misprices. If you regularly check Hot UK deals or hook up a feed to your phone you are able to be the first to find out about online and offline misprices. Usually if a company ever does honour a misprice, it’s to the early customers who made a purchase early, so get in there quick. Most users pay by credit cards to try and leverage some kind of buying protection.

5: Always Use Vouchers

Sometimes there are mistakes in a company database which leaves huge opportunity for customers to use voucher codes in combination with special offers, and sometimes even multiple voucher codes at once. This means that not only can you take advantage of a misprice, but you can then get additional cash off the misprice by using a voucher code. There are a multitude of voucher code websites hovering around on the net and for smart phones, make sure you’re hooked up to a couple.