Tuesday, March 20, 2012
About me.
Not me about the site. Has anyone checked it out? What are our thought? Go check it out now! Here is mine http://about.me/jead619 It is a neat idea but I am not sure it works for me. I guess I don't have enough followers to make this useful for me. Maybe when this blog thing starts working it would be helpful. Imagine being about to go to one place and finding all the pages created by one person. That is the idea behind about.me. The site is very easy to use and if you check it out now you can get some business cards. Being a stay at home mom, business cards are so very valuable!! How many times do I need to provide my name and address or phone number or email address to some one, or the give it to me, always on some little tiny piece of paper that gets lost with the million other things I have to remember. Business cards do not get lost so easy (Note: I did not say they don't get lost, just not as easy!!) You can get free MOO.com cards, they do have the moo.com on them but free cards are worth it. The site is easy to use and you can customize them any way you wish. Think about it! What a great deal for your home business or what ever reason. I am so glad that being a Bzz Agent has given me a chance to see this new concept, even if I am not taking full advantage of it!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
School Budget
So our school district is facing drastic cuts, closing 3 schools and eliminating 295 positions, because they don't want to raise taxes. I don't want the taxes to be raised, but I also do not want my children's education to suffer. They are cutting a huge number of math teachers positions, but yet the students struggle with math. The logic of all these cuts do not make sense. They say they have lost 500 students so this averages 1 position for every 1.7 students. Was there really that great excess? Obviously this is going to increase class sizes. The increase class sizes is going to hurt those students in the middle. The top students will continue to get the services they need because they stand out. The bottom students will get attention because they stand out and the school is required to provide the services to them. Those students in the middle will stay right where they are, maintaining the status of average.
As the wife of a teacher, and a frequent volunteer in the school I am tired of people saying that teachers are over paid. If it is so easy to teacher and the salary is so great why aren't more people trying to be teachers? If you have ever been worked as a teacher or with a teacher you know that it is not a 7-3 job with summers off. A teacher need to be always thinking, planning, working, learning and doing. You hear the TV ads about teachers buying their own supplies, and this is not a joke. Teachers become more and more creative to ensure they do not over steep their budget limits. Teachers need to have continuing education classes and need to re-invent their lessons to deal with the class they have in front of them. Teachers need to teach to all there students, adapting lessons to help all students succeed. Teachers are responsible for shaping our future.
Sure there are teachers who do not know how to engage a class, or who are just plan bad and should not be in the classroom. This can be said about an field. There are bad cops, doctors, athletes, but we don't condemn the whole group. We do need a way to support teachers, to ensure all teachers are able to be engaging and encourage students success.
There are those who say, "when I was going up the class size was 30-40 and we are fine". I believe maybe you are, but the times are different. Most of your classmates were probably living in a two parent home, with one parent at home with them at least until they were older. You and most of your classmates has support at home with your homework, behavior and you were made to go to school unless you were sick. I would gather you and your classmates never wanted to get in trouble in school because you knew you would be in more trouble at home. You would never think that your parent would want to sue the teacher because you failed a test. Your parent would never come to the school to start a fight with another student or their parent because the kids something rude to you. Your parents would not think of suing the school because you were disciplined. Your school was not used as a babysitter, therapist, support center, it was a place you went to learn and you did. Have you been in a school lately?
People will point to private schools who can do more with less. Yes, I agree that is great. So lets look at these private schools and see why. Well we can start with mandates. Most of these schools do not have to deal with the numerous mandates put on the school by the state and federal government. These mandates prevent teachers from doing what they do best, teach. Kids in school do not read books, they read from a textbook. The teacher provides the lesson in the book. They must follow the mandate. These mandates are only a small part of the reason, the bigger issue is who they must educate. They can select the students/families that they want to be part of their school. The public school must educate everyone in the least restrictive environment. Gone are the days when you could send a student to another school/class just because they were not a good fit. The public school must deal with all types of parents, great ones, good ones, and those that say "why is my kid failing, I don't work with them at home that is your job, no they can not miss any recess or specials class, just fix my kid or I am going to sue."
The other argument I see a lot is "I don't have kids in the school." I am sorry about that, but you are going to want these children to grow up and continue to provide services to you, like doctors, law enforcement.. With that logic why not make all schools private, no need to educate the masses. You know when America was first founded it was like that, maybe we should go back to that. Oh wait reading was all based on the bible, do you think that would be okay? Wait, can't use the bible someone would certainly sue.
Yes, there needs to be a budget, but not on the backs of the students or the teachers who work very hard to make sure that each child gets the best education. The budget needs to be honest, and real. We need a budget that addresses the needs of our future generation. No money does not solve all the problems, but we do need something to work with.
As the wife of a teacher, and a frequent volunteer in the school I am tired of people saying that teachers are over paid. If it is so easy to teacher and the salary is so great why aren't more people trying to be teachers? If you have ever been worked as a teacher or with a teacher you know that it is not a 7-3 job with summers off. A teacher need to be always thinking, planning, working, learning and doing. You hear the TV ads about teachers buying their own supplies, and this is not a joke. Teachers become more and more creative to ensure they do not over steep their budget limits. Teachers need to have continuing education classes and need to re-invent their lessons to deal with the class they have in front of them. Teachers need to teach to all there students, adapting lessons to help all students succeed. Teachers are responsible for shaping our future.
Sure there are teachers who do not know how to engage a class, or who are just plan bad and should not be in the classroom. This can be said about an field. There are bad cops, doctors, athletes, but we don't condemn the whole group. We do need a way to support teachers, to ensure all teachers are able to be engaging and encourage students success.
There are those who say, "when I was going up the class size was 30-40 and we are fine". I believe maybe you are, but the times are different. Most of your classmates were probably living in a two parent home, with one parent at home with them at least until they were older. You and most of your classmates has support at home with your homework, behavior and you were made to go to school unless you were sick. I would gather you and your classmates never wanted to get in trouble in school because you knew you would be in more trouble at home. You would never think that your parent would want to sue the teacher because you failed a test. Your parent would never come to the school to start a fight with another student or their parent because the kids something rude to you. Your parents would not think of suing the school because you were disciplined. Your school was not used as a babysitter, therapist, support center, it was a place you went to learn and you did. Have you been in a school lately?
People will point to private schools who can do more with less. Yes, I agree that is great. So lets look at these private schools and see why. Well we can start with mandates. Most of these schools do not have to deal with the numerous mandates put on the school by the state and federal government. These mandates prevent teachers from doing what they do best, teach. Kids in school do not read books, they read from a textbook. The teacher provides the lesson in the book. They must follow the mandate. These mandates are only a small part of the reason, the bigger issue is who they must educate. They can select the students/families that they want to be part of their school. The public school must educate everyone in the least restrictive environment. Gone are the days when you could send a student to another school/class just because they were not a good fit. The public school must deal with all types of parents, great ones, good ones, and those that say "why is my kid failing, I don't work with them at home that is your job, no they can not miss any recess or specials class, just fix my kid or I am going to sue."
The other argument I see a lot is "I don't have kids in the school." I am sorry about that, but you are going to want these children to grow up and continue to provide services to you, like doctors, law enforcement.. With that logic why not make all schools private, no need to educate the masses. You know when America was first founded it was like that, maybe we should go back to that. Oh wait reading was all based on the bible, do you think that would be okay? Wait, can't use the bible someone would certainly sue.
Yes, there needs to be a budget, but not on the backs of the students or the teachers who work very hard to make sure that each child gets the best education. The budget needs to be honest, and real. We need a budget that addresses the needs of our future generation. No money does not solve all the problems, but we do need something to work with.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Customer Service
How do you define customer service. It is beyond just the ability to help the customer but it is one of those things that you know it when you experience it. I bet we can all relate a story when we, as the customer, felt that a company or business was glad that they had our business and that they hoped we would continue to use their services. My bank is like that, it is a small community bank (Citizens Savings Bank), and every time I have a problem, like my wallet is stolen, I feel like they are concerned about me and my security. Do they charge me fee that I wish I did not have to pay, sure but they are a business and need to make money. I understand that. Discover Card is another one, any time I had problems with them they were more then kind and understanding. They were always willing to work with me and help me find the best way to address my needs. Yes, I understand that they were interested in making money, and the things they were doing were helping ensure they would get money. However, they approach it in a way that feels like they care about the long term relation that we have developed.
Verizon on the other hand is one company that does not care about you as a customer. They use the nice words but really there is nothing behind their words. I can count on one hand how many times I have hung up with a Customer Service Representative from Verizon feeling my issue had been addressed and that the problem was resolved, or that they treated me like I was an important customer. Twice from two different technicians who came to the house because of on going service issues, but I felt like they really wanted the service to work, but knew the problem was more then they could address. There was the one Customer service Representative who did help me address all the issues with the service and overages and helped address billing concerns. I think that is all of them, they stick out because they were unique in their ability to develop a rapport and attempt to address the issue, not because they gave me what I wanted (none of the actually solved a problem) but because they treated me like my business was important. That is in the 10 years I have been a Verizon Customer. There have been others who seemed helpful but then we realized that they were just "yes men" and really did not address any of our concerns. And Verizon has you stuck. To get away from Verizon at this moment would cost me $400!! I will be smart this time and make it so in one year I will be able to leave them.
Do I think the other companies will be different? Of course not, I left AT&T 10 years ago because I felt like I was a number, they did not care about me as a customer. Verizon at that time was so eager to have my business. I figure any company will be the same and then when i am feed up I will move on. There is no loyalty because to have loyalty I need to have something to be loyal to.
I know it is not just with the telecommunication companies, but almost every company. There is more concern about the bottom line then about the customer. There is more of a concern about getting the new customer then keeping old ones happy. Why is this? I have some theories, first being that most people are slow to change. Change takes effort, so people are slow to leave a company which they are already established with. Look at your phone plan? When was the last time you made a change? How about you cable/satellite? Change is harder then not changing. Companies know this so they know once your hooked you stay.
What can we do to help improve customer service? First you do business with the companies that provide service. Second we need to go back to an old fashioned method of acknowledging great service in written form. When we are part of good customer service we need to let everyone know.
When were you last treated like an important customer? Let me know!! I challenge you to recognize great service and let everyone know.
Verizon on the other hand is one company that does not care about you as a customer. They use the nice words but really there is nothing behind their words. I can count on one hand how many times I have hung up with a Customer Service Representative from Verizon feeling my issue had been addressed and that the problem was resolved, or that they treated me like I was an important customer. Twice from two different technicians who came to the house because of on going service issues, but I felt like they really wanted the service to work, but knew the problem was more then they could address. There was the one Customer service Representative who did help me address all the issues with the service and overages and helped address billing concerns. I think that is all of them, they stick out because they were unique in their ability to develop a rapport and attempt to address the issue, not because they gave me what I wanted (none of the actually solved a problem) but because they treated me like my business was important. That is in the 10 years I have been a Verizon Customer. There have been others who seemed helpful but then we realized that they were just "yes men" and really did not address any of our concerns. And Verizon has you stuck. To get away from Verizon at this moment would cost me $400!! I will be smart this time and make it so in one year I will be able to leave them.
Do I think the other companies will be different? Of course not, I left AT&T 10 years ago because I felt like I was a number, they did not care about me as a customer. Verizon at that time was so eager to have my business. I figure any company will be the same and then when i am feed up I will move on. There is no loyalty because to have loyalty I need to have something to be loyal to.
I know it is not just with the telecommunication companies, but almost every company. There is more concern about the bottom line then about the customer. There is more of a concern about getting the new customer then keeping old ones happy. Why is this? I have some theories, first being that most people are slow to change. Change takes effort, so people are slow to leave a company which they are already established with. Look at your phone plan? When was the last time you made a change? How about you cable/satellite? Change is harder then not changing. Companies know this so they know once your hooked you stay.
What can we do to help improve customer service? First you do business with the companies that provide service. Second we need to go back to an old fashioned method of acknowledging great service in written form. When we are part of good customer service we need to let everyone know.
When were you last treated like an important customer? Let me know!! I challenge you to recognize great service and let everyone know.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Have you tried....
Smarterer? It is actually a lot of fun and a great way to learn. So what is it? It is basically a series of questions that help you discover how much you know about a subject. I was given the opportunity to try Smarterer as a BzzAgent. I did see how well I knew Bzz but then I went on to see how well I knew Google. Learned a lot about the best way to perform searches on Google. Right now I have answered all the questions and I am only proficient. Some the questions are hard! They have quizzes for different sites like Blogger (I think I will try that one next because I really don't know what I am doing on here!!) I am really looking forward to the one for Excel, because although I use it all the time I don't think I know what I am really doing. The worst thing is watching your score go down when you miss question after question! But hey we need to learn right! Come on go get Smarterer!!
See I am getting Smarterer! It was suggested I add my scores for everyone to see!! Lets see can you bet me?
See I am getting Smarterer! It was suggested I add my scores for everyone to see!! Lets see can you bet me?
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