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Celebrate Teachers Today and Every Day

Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:44:57 -0500

Great teachers are invaluable, yet too often their tireless work goes unnoticed or worse, unappreciated. While teacher appreciation week is in May, why wait to recognize the incredible work of our educators? These individuals dedicate their lives to developing the next generation. They come in early to prepare special lessons and stay late to help tutor struggling students. They capture the imagination of students by showing them the world of books, the power of math and the lessons of history. Great teachers make schoolwork come alive and they are not satisfied by helping students just achieve good test scores; instead they strive to spark curiosity, foster learning and encourage new discovery among the young scholars they nurture.

Almost everyone can relate to being inspired at some point in their lives by a great teacher … someone who took an interest and gave support, helped with mastery of a skill, taught us how to conquer a problem or made it possible for us to take a dream of who we wanted to be and turn it into reality. More than ever, we need teachers that not only educate our students, but help connect them to their passions and explore the possibilities of what could be. Teachers deserve our thanks every day for all they do.

A new video, “Salute to Teachers,” (http://youtu.be/ypFRxw9czi4) thanks these important mentors by showing the dynamic influence of educators. They ignite students’ minds and passions by asking simple questions like “what,” “why,” or “how.” Once the curious fire of learning is stoked, great teachers have the ability to build on that excitement and desire for discovery. Engaging teachers bring personal commitment to the classroom every day and that kind of interactive connection between teachers and their students motivates learners of all ages to test boundaries and become a part of the larger world around them.

Surveys have shown students are greatly influenced by their teachers. The mentorship of a teacher can solidify a student’s success in high school and beyond into college. Last fall a Microsoft survey found that a majority of college students studying science, technology, engineering or math decided to enter those fields because of a teacher. Great instruction sparks interest in exploring the world––one teacher can encourage a student to make a lifelong commitment to learning.

In a world that is ever changing, the importance of teachers is a constant. Teachers play a critical role in the future of our planet. The GLOBE Program (http://www.globe.gov) is taking this opportunity to salute teachers everywhere—for all of the things they do. GLOBE encourages you to thank teachers for their work on the frontlines and for pushing the world to be a better place by inspiring students everywhere. Share the “Salute to Teachers” video with all of the educators that have impacted your life. From your elementary or secondary school teachers or college professors, to the teacher who inspires your child, show your appreciation by posting the video on their Facebook page or to your social media profiles, as well as by sharing the link with others so they can also thank the great teachers in their lives. Together we can show teachers how much we appreciate all that they have done – and continue to do – for our communities and us each day they are in the classroom.

Cliff Michaels Announces Release of His New Book “The 4 Essentials: A Path to Success & Happin

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:03:42 -0500

Lessons learned in classrooms or even through work experience are extremely important. That said, those learned outside the classroom or boardroom — the real-world essentials — are critical to success as well. In his new book, The 4 Essentials: A Path to Success and Happiness, successful entrepreneur Cliff Michaels brings to life what he calls a Real-World MBA, a Master’s in Basic Abilities.

In The 4 Essentials, Cliff Michaels takes readers on a journey of success, failure, and purpose with lessons to be gleaned from each. Michaels complements this journey with wisdom drawn from books, movies, childhood heroes, and virtual mentors from Leonardo daVinci and Thomas Edison to modern-day icons such as Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Bill Gates, and Blake Mycoskie. Passionately written and thought provoking, Michaels illustrates why success is not predicated solely on degrees, intelligence, or opportunity.

The 4 Essentials has already gained recognition by leaders in education and entrepreneurship:

"Cliff's 4 Essentials are a great framework for students to succeed in school and life."
Bill Milliken – Founder, Communities in Schools, Author, The Last Dropout

“Cliff Michaels delivers a powerful path to profits, passion, and purpose.”
Tony Hsieh – CEO, Zappos.com, NY Times #1 Bestseller, Delivering Happiness

“By applying ‘The 4 Essentials’— life skills, action strategies, core values, and purpose principles — anyone can fill gaps in education, intelligence, or socio-economics that may be holding them back,” says Michaels. “That’s not to say traditional education isn’t important. It certainly is. But teaching vocation skills without people skills or business excellence without purpose principles is fundamentally flawed.”

As a real estate broker, investor, high-tech CEO, and strategist, Michaels has successfully navigated the high flying 80's, recovering 90's, and 21st century booms and busts. His firm has produced more than $500 million in sales and he’s a former president and 10-year board member of the Young Entrepreneurs Organization Los Angeles Chapter.

Before hitting his stride, Michaels’ journey began as an aspiring entrepreneur at the University of Southern California. While cutting his entrepreneurial teeth with street-wise real estate mentors, Michaels noticed a serious gap between traditional education and basic abilities of peak performance. This fueled philosophical debates with students and professors, leading Michaels to conduct research on “Real-World Essentials Critical to Success,” especially in competitive environments. His research and personal journey supported Michaels’ belief that basic life and business strategies must be taught in concert. This was the inspiration for The 4 Essentials.

“Based on my research, The 4 Essentials are keys to achievement – personally and professionally,” continues Michaels. “I’m convinced anyone willing to Master Basic Abilities can find their path to success and happiness.”

In addition to his book on The 4 Essentials, Michaels has developed online e-courses and tools on topics from self-discovery and team building, to communication, people skills, conflict resolution, sales, negotiations, and business planning; among others (coming this Fall). Additionally, Michaels launched The Giving Back Mission as a companion to The 4 Essentials. With each purchase at CliffMichaels.com, free books and courses are donated to students with 10% proceeds also going to charities. Initial targets include: Charity Water, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Communities in Schools, Doctors Without Borders, and Habitat for Humanity.

The 4 Essentials is now available for pre-order and will be released in paperback January 2012. FREE Chapters are available and anyone who pre-orders the book gains exclusive access to a full PDF Online version of The 4 Essentials at CliffMichaels.com. 50% Off Michaels’ E-course on Self Discovery & Team Mission is also available when pre-ordering the book (Courses come with result-oriented tools like goal and project-planning forms).

CollegeAmerica Graduates Take Another Step Toward Successful Futures

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:58:10 -0500

Graduates from CollegeAmerica will take another step toward successful futures on Friday, June 17,when they receive their college diplomas. The graduates join the thousands of alumni who have received career training from CollegeAmerica through degree programs in business, graphic arts, healthcare, and information technology.

The ceremony will begin with an address from Mark Driscoll, president of First National Bank, Fort Collins. The 2011 graduation class has 89 students.

“I am immensely proud this class. Some overcame great personal challenges to earn their degree and others hadn’t considered college as a part of their plan until they found CollegeAmerica,” explains Joel Scimeca, campus director at CollegeAmerica Fort Collins. “As they take the next step in their lives, our graduates will be able to leverage their college degrees to take a step toward a better life and career.”

CollegeAmerica has three locations in Colorado in Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins.

What: CollegeAmerica 2011 Commencement Ceremony

Where: Faith Evangelical Free Church, 3920 S. Shields Street, Fort Collins, CO 80526

When: Friday, June 17, 2011, 5:00 p.m.

For more information about CollegeAmerica or its upcoming commencement ceremony, contact Kavitha Thimmaiah at 303.433.7020 or kthimmaiah@csg-pr.com.

eLearners.com Reveals the Top 5 Reasons Military Service Members Should Consider an Online MBA

Tue, 31 May 2011 15:37:15 -0500

eLearners.com today revealed the top five reasons military service members should consider an online MBA program. According to the Graduate Management Admission Council, on average, 40,000 individuals separate from the U.S. military each year, of which, about 1,000 choose to attend MBA programs. For active duty military that do not want to wait until they have left the service to pursue an MBA, an online program can be an excellent option. Online education has long been a popular choice for service members due to its flexible scheduling and convenience.

From research conducted by eLearners.com, here are the top 5 reasons military service members should consider an online MBA:

1) 1. Earning an MBA is a natural transition for those who serve in the military because the leadership experience and skills they gain during their service can be directly applied to both their business education and a career in business after they are discharged.

2) 2. An online MBA can be pursued from anywhere in the world and one’s ability to complete their coursework is unaffected by deployment or reassignment as long as they have Internet access.

3) 3. For service members that plan a career in the military, earning an MBA can result in promotions.

4) 4. For service members that expect to separate from the military, earning an MBA while still enlisted can ease the transition into civilian employment and make them competitive candidates for higher responsibility, higher paying positions.

5) 5. Online MBA programs are offered by a variety of accredited institutions, including Arizona State University, Penn State and the University of Florida, so military students can be confident that they’re getting a high quality education, but without being restricted to a campus location.

eLearners.com offers a free military education benefits guide, which compiles comprehensive information about benefits by branch, payment and tuition assistance programs, as well as the various G.I. Bill programs. Additionally, eLearners.com has also identified the most frequently asked questions related to military tuition assistance and provides answers at http://www.elearners.com/guide/college-costs-and-financial-aid/military-tuition-assistance/.

For more information about online degrees and the military, visit elearners.com.

About eLearners.com®

Since 1999, eLearners.com has been successfully connecting individuals seeking a degree, certification or training program with a variety of accredited online universities. eLearners.com provides prospective students with a powerful search engine for finding thousands of program offerings online, as well as a variety of educational evaluation tools and financial aid resources. eLearners.com offers schools seeking prospective students a low-cost, performance-based method to gain national exposure and increase enrollments in their programs.

Bryant & Stratton College Online Awards Pay It Forward Scholarships

Thu, 19 May 2011 13:07:07 -0500

Bryant & Stratton College Online today announced that five deserving individuals have been awarded full-tuition Pay It Forward Scholarships to attend Bryant & Stratton College Online, as well as a second full-tuition scholarship to “pay it forward” to someone else. Launched by Bryant & Stratton College Online last fall, the Pay It Forward Scholarship program is designed to recognize and reward individuals who are not only interested in improving their own lives with education, but who also want to share the gift of education with someone else.

Bryant & Stratton College Online selected ten finalists, from hundreds of applications, whose stories were found to be in the best "Pay It Forward" spirit and met Bryant & Stratton CollegeOnline’s enrollment standards. The five recipients were chosen by popular vote online to receive the full-tuition awards.

Voting was based on videos from the finalists sharing their stories of inspiration and kindness, as well as why they should be chosen to receive a Pay It Forward Scholarship. The remaining finalists were each awarded a $5,000 partial scholarship for an associate’s degree program at Bryant & Stratton College Online. Additionally, Bryant & Stratton College Online selected a deserving individual from all the applications submitted to receive one $10,000 partial scholarship for an online associate’s degree program.

“The Pay It Forward Scholarship recipients are already doing wonderful things in their communities to help others and it is our honor to acknowledge their efforts and help them in return,” said Scott Traylor, Associate Campus Director for Online Education at Bryant & Stratton College. “The response to the Pay It Forward Scholarship program was amazing and we received so many compelling essays with inspirational stories, detailing the kindness and generosity of the applicants. We are thrilled to announce our five recipients who truly live the pay it forward lifestyle and to give them the opportunity to transform their lives with education, as well as the life of someone else.”

The names of the five Pay It Forward Scholarship recipients are below:

Delethia Cason (Elgin, IL)

Dyanne Daly (Tonawanda, NY)

Carrie DePasquale (Colden, NY)

Kelly Giffen (West Milwaukee, WI)

Ashley Williams (Moon, VA)

The videos of the winners revealing how they pay it forward now and why they want to go back to school can be viewed at www.PayItForwardScholarship.com.

The Pay It Forward Scholarship recipients all applied by the December 31, 2010 deadline and met current Bryant & Stratton College scholarship and enrollment requirements. The complete rules and regulations can be reviewed at http://online.bryantstratton.edu/pay-it-forward/rules/.

Bryant & Stratton College was founded in 1854 and is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. For more information about Bryant & Stratton College and its online degree programs, visit www.bryantstratton.edu/online.

From Hot Mess to Hired, Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Thu, 05 May 2011 22:33:04 -0500

As students across America prepare for graduation, both on campuses as well as online colleges and certification programs, attention is shifting from finals to getting a job. To assist new graduates, eLearners.com has identified the most common resume mistakes to avoid. From omitting pertinent information or embellishing details, to showcasing duties instead of accomplishments, or having a resume riddled with typos, there are many unnecessary blunders students unfamiliar with the working world often make.

To determine if you are guilty of one or more of these common resume mistakes, ask yourself the following questions:

- Is your objective statement general instead of tailored to each job you’re applying to?

- Does your resume feature descriptions of past jobs rather than highlighting your accomplishments?

- Did you stretch the truth?

- Are you including too much information instead of hitting the high notes?

- Are you using the old-fashioned “reverse-chronological” format?

- Did you forget to proofread, or have someone else proofread, your resume?

- Is your resume printed on stock printer paper instead of nice stationery?

- Are you using the same resume for every employer, regardless of the job?

- Are you skipping the cover letter?

- Did you use a resume template?

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, you can find tips on how to fix these resume mistakes by visiting http://www.elearners.com/recession/common-resume-mistakes.asp.

Another common resume mistake is using tired, overused phrases, which can land it in the dreaded resume black hole. CareerBuilder.com recommends that to avoid having a resume that reads like a boilerplate, job applicants should steer clear of phrases like those below:

· Results-oriented professional

· Strong communications skills

· Introduced new products

· Track record of success

· Possesses leadership skills

· Exceeded productivity goals

· “Go-to” person

· Team player

· Served as company spokesperson

· Partnered with others

Your resume is the first impression a prospective employer gets of who you are as a job candidate and can determine whether you’ll get an interview or not. A good resume free of these common mistakes can increase your chances of getting an interview and ultimately landing a job. For more information and resources, visit eLearners.com.

Looking for Wealth in Mental Health

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:16:08 -0500

eLearners.com announced today the top 20 most popular degree programs online as identified by the 2011 eLearners Index, an annual proprietary report that analyzes prospective student interest and demand in online education. Students looking to go back to school are answering the call to action to help the 1 in 4 American adults who live with a diagnosable, treatable mental health condition. This announcement comes as Mental Health Monthapproaches in May.

In addition to mental health, the top 20 online degree programs by prospective student interest reflect American adults’ desire to help others through education, religion and other human services. The top 20 are:

1) Bachelor’s in Psychology

2) Master’s in Counseling

3) Master’s in Psychology

4) Bachelor’s in Business Administration

5) Master’s in Nursing

6) Associate’s in Early Childhood Education

7) Master’s in Special Education

8) Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education

9) Associate’s in Religion

10)Master’s in Health Administration

11)Bachelor’s in Nursing

12)Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction

13)Bachelor’s in Health Administration

14)Master’s in Business Administration

15)Bachelor’s in Accounting

16)Doctorate in Psychology

17)Bachelor’s in Religion

18)Master’s in Religion

19)Associate’s in Business Administration

20)Associate’s in Criminal Justice

For the 2011 eLearners Index, eLearners.com examined prospective student interest during each quarter of 2010 and compiled data from individual searches of over 3,400 available online degree programs offered by more than 200 accredited colleges and universities and organized across more than 90 majors.

As part of Mental Health Month in May, adult learners interested in going back to school to help others should check out the comprehensive list of online degree programs by subject area at eLearners.com

eLearners Offers Back to School Survival Guide for 40 Million Americans with College Credits

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 10:16:34 -0500

If the close to 40 million Americans with some college credits returned to school to complete their degree through online education, America would take a significant step forward toward meeting Obama’s goal of 60% college degree attainment by 2025. With that in mind, eLearners.com offers its Back to School Survival Guide with tips and advice for adults reticent to take that first step back to school.

According to recent research by eLearners.com, the top reasons for those with some credit resisting degree completion include:

· Getting too old

· Do not have the confidence to re-enroll

· Health problems

· Lack of funds

· Currently employed and making lots of money

· Would not have the time with current job

· Would take too long

· Have children and don’t have the time

· Just can’t fit work and school into schedule.

One of the great panaceas for many of these issues is online education. The eLearners.com Survival Guide offers resources to help adults return to college via online learning including:

· Advice to make back to school a family affair

· Tools and tips to be head of the class

· Jobs and career development issues

· The proper care and feeding—food and health—of online learners and family

· Household budgeting

· Fun activities to get into the learning groove

Those interested in going back to school can download a free copy of Back to School Survival Guide.

Stevens-Henager College Boise Promotes “New You” at Health and Career Fair

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:37:24 -0600

Boise College Health Fair Provided Screenings, Wellness Tips, and Healthcare Job Information to the Community

Stevens-Henager College Boise gave local community members a kick start to their new year’s resolutions. The “New Year, New You!” Health Fair held on Friday, January 14, provided information on wellness and disease prevention and an insider’s look into the healthcare profession.

Many members of the community attended this inaugural event. Attendees enjoyed a variety of informational booths, activities and a variety of complimentary health screenings including an American Red Cross blood drive, cholesterol and blood pressure readings, stretching tips for desk jockeys, CPR demonstrations and a meet and greet with fire department paramedics.

In addition, the event also provided an opportunity for people interested in healthcare careers to learn more about the industry and what it takes to earn a healthcare degree. Workshops were held throughout the day, like the Career Day workshop, “Is a Healthcare Career for You?” which explained different issues in the healthcare industry. Students and staff members were on hand to talk about the schools degree programs and conduct demonstrations, and attendees could sign up to shadow alumni during the fair. “How to get your GED®” sessions were also offered.

“The theme of the fair was all about using the new year to start a ‘new you,’ which can be making a commitment to personal health or taking the first step to making your career dreams come true. We know many people are using their New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, finally earn their GED or college degree, or change their career, and we want to support that,” says says Danielle Horras, campus director at Stevens-Henager College Boise. “The booths, activities, and screenings taught people about their own personal health and provided touch points in creating a healthier lifestyle. In addition to that, our hope is that the event also provided a unique insight into different healthcare professions. There is great demand for bright, enthusiastic professionals in this high-growth industry, and Stevens-Henager College Boise can provide those interested with the skills and education they need to be successful.”

The “New Year, New You!” Health Fair could not have taken place without the generous support of many local businesses. Boise businesses that participated include: Ada County Paramedics, Ada County Sherriff’s Department, American Red Cross, Boise City Fire Department, Boise City Police Department, Central District Health, Complex Care, Davita Dialysis, Humphrys Diabetes, Idaho Association of Occupational Therapy, Idaho Athletic, Idaho Department of Labor, Idaho Imaging, Idaho PMR, Imaging Center of Idaho, NORCO, Planned Parenthood, Primary Health, Regence Blue Shield, RSS Linde, Saltzer Medical,St. Al’s Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Terry Riley Hospitals, and YMCA.

The fair happened in conjunction with ten other events at Stevens-Henager campuses and satellite campuses in Utah (Layton, Logan, Ogden/West Haven, Provo/Orem, Salt Lake City) and their affiliates in Arizona (CollegeAmerica Flagstaff), California (California College San Diego), Colorado (CollegeAmerica Denver and Fort Collins), and Wyoming (CollegeAmerica Cheyenne).

Stevens-Henager College Boise offers degree programs as well as evening and online classes for busy students balancing work, family and other obligations. In addition to degree programs in Healthcare, students can also earn degrees in Business Administration, Graphic Arts, and Information Technology.

Connect with Stevens-Henager College on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/stevenshenager.

CollegeAmerica Cheyenne Promotes “New You” at Health and Career Fair

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:16:43 -0600

Cheyenne College Health Fair Provided Screenings, Wellness Tips, and Healthcare Job Information to the Community

CollegeAmerica Cheyenne gave local community members a kick start to their new year’s resolutions. The “New Year, New You!” Health Fair held on Friday, January 14, provided information on wellness and disease prevention and an insider’s look into the healthcare profession.

Many members of the community attended this inaugural event. Attendees enjoyed a variety of informational booths, activities and a variety of complimentary health screenings including glucose and blood pressure readings, skin fold testing, visual acuity assessment, healthy living ideas and activities, compression-only CPR demonstration and ECG screenings.

In addition, the event was also an opportunity for people interested in healthcare careers to learn more about the industry and what it takes to earn a healthcare degree. Workshops were held throughout the day, such as the Career Day workshop, “Is a Healthcare Career for You?” which explained different issues in the healthcare industry. Students and staff members were on hand to talk about the schools degree programs and, conduct demonstrations, and attendees could sign up to shadow alumni during the fair. “How to get your GED®” sessions were also offered.

“The theme of the fair was all about using the new year to start a ‘new you,’ which can be making a commitment to personal health or taking the first step to making your career dreams come true. We know many people are using their New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, finally earn their GED or college degree, or change their career, and we want to support that,” says Debbi Potts Executive Director at CollegeAmerica Cheyenne. “The booths, activities, and screenings taught people about their own personal health and provided touch points in creating a healthier lifestyle. In addition to that, our hope is the event also provided a unique insight into different healthcare professions. There is great demand for bright, enthusiastic professionals in this high-growth industry, and CollegeAmerica Cheyenne can provide those interested with the skills and education they need to be successful.”

The “New Year, New You!” Health Fair could not have taken place without the generous support of many local businesses. Cheyenne businesses that participated include: Cheyenne Health and Wellness, Mort’s Bagels, and United Blood Services.

The fair happened in conjunction with ten other events at CollegeAmerica campuses in Arizona (Flagstaff) and Colorado (Denver, Fort Collins), and at affiliated campuses in California (California College San Diego), Idaho (Stevens-Henager Boise), and Utah (Stevens-Henager Colleges and satellite campuses in Layton, Logan, Ogden/West Haven, Provo/Orem, Salt Lake City/Murray).

CollegeAmerica Cheyenne offers degree programs as well as evening and online classes for busy students balancing work, family and other obligations. In addition to degree programs in Healthcare, students can also earn degrees in Business Administration, Graphic Arts and Information Technology.

Connect with CollegeAmerica on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/collegeamerica.