10 Reasons for Learning to Draw

10 Reasons for Learning to Draw Why Should You Learn How to Draw? ChaptersSketching and Fine Motor SkillsThanks to Phones, Everyone PhotographsArt as TherapyLearn Art, Learn HistoryDraw to Dress up Dismal DaysDrawing for a PaycheckSketches, Not WordsLetting Imagination Live, in StyleDraw Anything, Anywhere!Once You Start...You are still reluctant to commit to those art classes your friends have all signed up for? Why?Learning how to draw is not hard!Besides, you may just find a hidden trove of talent and an eye for beauty that you never knew you had!Maybe you don't feel that you have the soul of an artist. Maybe you are stuck on the stereotype that only starvation can produce fine art and... well... you like having tea every day!Now is the time for you to prove that starvation myth wrong.Now is when you can develop your artistic sense, stimulate your creativity, discover untapped emotions and potential for expression.If you'd like, we could wait till after tea to explore this till now unknown world with you.Are you ready?Now, we take you by the han d. Never fear! We won't let go until you are ready to clutch a pencil and execute your first portrait. if the tedium of traffic drives you to distraction: focus on step by step drawing.Giving a bit a mental power to visions of art will have a calming effect on you, allowing you to carry on with your day, a bit more relaxed.When studying art, questions of era and mood will enter your mind Source: Pixabay Credit StockSnapLearn Art, Learn HistoryFor many people, history is not a favourite subject. Maybe you are of that bent.If so, we must warn you: learning how to draw people, learning perspective drawing; draw a sill life or draw a cat...Your mind will expand to include questions such as:What was the artist's frame of mind when s/he painted that?What was the artist's intention in choosing that subject matter?What was s/he trying to convey and communicate?We know! All you wanted to do was find a peaceful way to relax without a lot of noise or pressure, and here we go, throwing you tons of questions.Art has a sneaky way of working on your intellect.You may find that, without any direct intention, you are raising questions about perspective, proportion and experience when considering great masterpieces.Invariably, that will lead you to study the epoch the tableau was painted in. What a great discussion to have with your art teacher!  even if you are down in the dumps: nothing will lighten a mood more than a cartoon drawing.For you, the cartooning itself will suffice to bring smiles.Cartoon drawing is a way to turn away from today's discordant sounds and images; an island of whimsy in a sea of sharks.Drawing for a PaycheckSo far, we've discussed personal, medical and social reasons to take drawing lessons.There are also financial reasons for drawing that might appeal to you.Every day, people put their drawing skills to use as:landscapersarchitectsengineerstattoo artistsadvertisersclothing designgraphic designautomotive designThe list of professions that employ artis ts is so long, we had to stop at just these few!How would you like to work in the film industry? More and more, movie studios employ graphic artists for their special effects and computer animation.Contrary to popular belief, artists need not starve on the street corner, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk.These days, especially if you can draw off the page â€" on a computer, your chances of finding a lucrative position are fairly high.So what are you waiting for? Search Superprof for drawing lessons London or Painting classes in Birmingham. Find your artistic niche anywhere in the country with our local tutors and online classes.There is no shame in sidewalk art Source: Pixabay Credit: AmurcaSketches, Not WordsTaking in hand a pencil, a marker, a charcoal or pastel oils implies you are ready to communicate through visual art.Artistic expression is a means of showing what does not translate well into words.Your deepest feelings and most frivolous sentiments; your anger and fears and. .. everything can come out: all at once or one delicate shadow at a time.Anyone can spot the obvious; it is your job to find the unusual and record it, by any means possible.That may well be an artist's most concise job description.Letting Imagination Live, in StyleIt's not just the J.K.s and the Newtons whose talent exploded later in life.You may well have harboured a manga storyboard that you know would be more important than any chibi.Still, you come back to that incontrovertible fact: drawing tutorials focus mainly on blending and shading techniques, and how to draw hands and such.You have no patience for how to draw animals, or how to draw anything realistically. Your realm is more in the fantastic.You must learn to walk before you can run.That is the dilemma of the student artist: great impatience with the mechanics of drawing, preferring instead that inspiration remain raw and unstructured.That is the wrong attitude to take. Here is why:In learning those technical aspects, yo u are refining your passion, targeting it to effectively render your subject matter with the greatest precision, for maximum effect. Drawing and maths are not mutually exclusive and enrich eath other.Do you know how to draw eyes that reflect sorrow or outrage? Can you sketch a human face in the extreme of emotion?Copying anime characters and drawing your own, born in your imagination, are two very different propositions.It would be best to study art, so that you can express your own ideas, rather than echo those of another illustrator.Once you've gained proficiency with a paintbrush, you may paint anything! Source: Pixabay Credit: Capri23AutoDraw Anything, Anywhere!Once you have a few drawing classes or two under your beret, you will find you have a passport to practice your art wherever you are, using any medium.From castles in the sand to chalk on the pavement, the question is not so much what you're going to draw but what you will create art with.Once you give your imagination an d creativity free rein, you will find untold ways to express yourself artistically:Decorating dishesCreate designs to print on clothingCustomize your furnitureDraw on a jewelry boxCreate decorative objectsTry your hand at stained glassHere again, once basic drawing is a part of your life, you will never wonder what to draw or run out of ways to express yourself.Once You Start...You will find, from your first pencil drawing or watercolor, that mastery of art techniques comes rather quickly, especially if you:apply yourself every day: make the most use of those drawing materials you bought!know your artistic goals: portrait painting? Pencil drawing? Simple shapes?Dont' skip any art lessons: the day you miss might be the day you learn about negative space.Keep a sketch pad handy: you never know when inspiration will strikeOne last bit of advice: don't get discouraged.So what if you can't seem to get the contour of a jaw just right? That is why you have an eraser in your drawing materia ls case!As with everything from language to maths that people study, those who learn drawing plateau.It is quite possible that your drawing course has taxed your abilities for that day, and maybe you just need something fun to draw.Drawing art should be relaxing yet stimulating, technically exacting yet freely creative, and, above all, expressive.You'll never know what you can express artistically unless you get to your next lesson, so grab your charcoal pencil and make the most of your drawing tutorial!

Buying Your First Ukulele 3 Things to Consider

Buying Your First Ukulele 3 Things to Consider Suzy S. Thinking about buying a ukulele? Learn the ins and outs of finding the best ukulele for you in this guest post by Casselberry, FL teacher Laurie K... So you are ready to buy your first ukulele! Awesome, step one is complete Decide to play the uke! I am going to go over three basics when considering this new and fun instrument, in order to find the best ukulele for you: Size Prices Styles Size There are four sizes for ukuleles: Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone. Most likely you are reading this article with an image of the soprano in your mind. Soprano ukuleles are the more popular size and come in more variety. The concert and tenor sizes are also tuned like a soprano ukulele, but are slightly bigger in their bodies, with longer necks and more frets. This makes them popular among professional players. The baritone ukulele is actually tuned to the the lower strings of a guitar (D, G, B, E). So, youll have a one-up if you are already a guitar player! The baritone ukulele is fun but is much bigger in size and has a lower tone overall… which goes against the two main reasons people are attracted to ukuleles: size and sound. So my guess? Youre looking for a soprano. Prices Ok, yes, you can buy a ukulele for $12. But I caution you to only buy these for your toddler children… they do not stay in tune! The cheapest ukuleles are going to be around $20-30 and they will be a much different sound and material than ukuleles priced at $50 and up. My recommendation is to go for the $50-up price range. Youre going to get a nicer material and most come with Nylgut strings. If you buy cheaper, youll most likely end up spending on new strings, which can definitely upgrade a plastic uke. So to save you that trouble, go a little higher. If youre on the fence about being able to play, its fine to go with a cheaper uke too; you can always upgrade later! Styles The cheaper styles are Mahalo and Makala ukuleles. These brands are mostly made of colorful plastics and can sound alright if re-strung with Aquila strings. I personally bought a Makala Dolphin bridged uke that was a light blue color. It was super fun to play but was a challenge to keep in tune. You can watch my YouTube review of it below: My first ukulele was actually a gift. It is an Ovation-style uke the Applause by Ovation UAE20 Soprano Ukulele and its an acoustic/electric, meaning I can play it unplugged and also plugged into any amplifier. I own a small Vox amp and it sounds amazing both ways. I was a lucky girl to start with this uke and I have to say its probably in the range of $120-160, but very worth it! I have performed many shows and it barely ever needs to be tuned, the material keeps it from being affected by humidity, and its beautiful! (To watch my Ovation Applause ukulele in action, check out my video  here!) For the best beginner ukuleles, I suggest the following brands: Lanikai LU-21C, Kala KA-C, Cordoba 15CM Concert Ukulele.  I have not tried them all, so I do suggest going to a local music store like Guitar Center to try some different brands. You can also search for online and YouTube reviews. Have an awesome time finding the perfect ukulele for you! Mine has been with me from the beginning and Ive continued to add on to my collection. Let me know if you find something new and exciting! Id love to hear from you. Happy uke-ing! Laurie K. teaches ukulele, songwriting, painting, and more in Casselberry, FL. She received her Bachelors degree in Visual Arts along with a minor in Music, and her experience includes leading  Music Together classes with families and children aged from 1-5. Learn more about Laurie here!   Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo  by  William Bigelis

Why Learn Spanish 9 Great Reasons

Why Learn Spanish 9 Great Reasons 9 Reasons to Learn Spanish ChaptersWhy Study Spanish: To Visit SpainThe Benefits of Learning Spanish: One of the Most Spoken Languages WorldwideSpanish Speaking Countries Are Some of the Most Desirable Destinations to VisitSpeak One of the World’s Most Beautiful LanguagesSpanish Can Be Quite an Easy Language to LearnWhat Business Opportunities Does Spanish Hold?Job Opportunities Are Endless if you Speak SpanishLearning Spanish Exercises Your BrainMissing Out of a Rich Hispanic CultureThere are a number of different advantages to language learning. On a very basic level, learning a foreign language allows us to travel more easily, as well as making us more employable in the eyes of many different companies and organisations around the world.When it comes to the Spanish language, this couldn't be more true. In fact, Spanish regularly features highly on lists of the most useful languages to learn.But developing your language skills in Spanish has a lot more different benefits and advantages than just learning b usiness Spanish to enhance your career prospects.With this in mind, here are our 9 reasons for speaking Spanish as a second language: TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsWhy Study Spanish: To Visit SpainFirstly, it would be a real shame if you never visited Spain.  Our first major reason to speak Spanish is that you can get more out of visiting Spain. After all, Spain is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations and there are plenty of flights to the country every day from all around the world.You'll have to get used to eating later in the day if you're living in Spain. (Source: pixabay.com)There are a lot of reasons that so many people travel to Spain for their vacations. You could go to Madrid, Barcelona, or even Ibiza, if you like partying. The list of great Spanish destinations goes on and on.If you like sun, sea, and sand without having to go too far, Spain’s got it all. If you speak Spanish, you’ll have a much better idea of what's going on (it's not always obvious) and you'll be able to chat to the local people, too.If you want to stay in Madrid or Barcelona, learning Spanish will make everything much easier. If you spend time in Spain having taken Spanish courses beforehand, you can use your conversational Spanish in order to gain a deeper understanding of both the Spanish language and culture.In fact, your trip to Spain could even act as a sort of immersion course whereby you can p ractise and build on the Spanish that you have previously learnt. After all, the key to developing in any new language is practising, so where better to do this than in the Spanish capital? You will improve your pronunciation by listening to the locals, and even learn some more Spanish words and phrases.The Benefits of Learning Spanish: One of the Most Spoken Languages WorldwideDo you really want to spend your entire life without understanding a large portion of the planet?Did you know that Spanish is spoken in 20 different countries by 440 million native speakers. This makes it the second most spoken language in terms of the amount of people who speak it as their mother tongue (only Mandarin Chinese has more native speakers).In terms of the countries where Spanish is spoken, there’s Spain, most of South and Central America, as well as a few countries in the Caribbean, and Equatorial Guinea in Africa. If you love travelling, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to Spanish-spe aking countries you can visit.Spanish history has made it widespread because of the Spanish empire and the navigators of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. What they did all those years ago has left us with a large proportion of the world that speaks Spanish as a first language.So if you’ve got itchy feet, it would be a shame if you didn’t speak any Spanish.  By studying Spanish, you could be opening up your horizons to a whole world of interesting cultures and traditions that you probably hadn't given much thought to previously.Spanish Speaking Countries Are Some of the Most Desirable Destinations to VisitIt is not just the fact that Spanish is very widespread throughout the world that makes it a language that you should learn, it is the fact some of the most desirable destinations on the world are located in Spanish speaking countries.For example, Machu Picchu in Peru and Chichen Itza in Mexico are two of the new 7 wonders of the world, and Iguazu Falls in Argentina and the A mazon which straddles swathes of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil, are two of the 7 wonders of nature. On top of this, Barcelona and Madrid were both named in the top 30 most visited cities in 2017.Even outside of these well established tourist destinations, locations such as the walled city of Cartagena in Colombia, the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador, and the ancient ruins at Tikal in Guatemala, are all worth a visit in their own right.In fact, the guide book, Lonely Planet, named 3 Spanish speaking cities in its top 10 cities to visit in 2018, whilst Chile was on its list of top 10 countries to visit.Outside of living and working in a Spanish-speaking country, the attraction of such destinations for holidays appears to be unparalleled. Fluency is not essential, but being able to at least communicate with the Spanish speakers in these places will enhance your experience when you visit.Spain is also home to some of the best beaches in the world. (Source: Flo Dahm)Speak On e of the World’s Most Beautiful LanguagesThe benefits of learning Spanish are well documented, but one reason that isn't often suggested is that it is one of the world's most beautiful languages.Spanish is a rich, beautiful, and melodic language. Whether it's one of the beautiful varieties of Latin American Spanish, or Castilian Spanish from Spain, Spanish can make your heart melt.Have you ever heard somebody speaking Spanish? Just like French and Italian, Spanish is a Romance language and is famous for being pleasant on the ears.In fact, by travelling, you’ll notice that Spanish is arguably one of the most beautiful languages in the world. There’s a reason Hispanic music is so famous across the globe.There’s a certain enjoyment that comes with speaking Spanish. Whether you’re just starting out or already know a bit, most people will agree that speaking Spanish is really enjoyable. TadeoSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AnnickSpanish T eacher 5.00 (6) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterSpanish Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors LowriSpanish Teacher 5.00 (8) £90/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MartaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (6) £22/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SharonSpanish Teacher 5.00 (2) £20/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors TanyaSpanish Teacher 5.00 (1) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors Jose manuelSpanish Teacher £14/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsSpanish Can Be Quite an Easy Language to LearnWhy learn a difficult language when you can learn an easy one?With similar roots in terms of vocabulary, Spanish can be quite simple for an English speaker to learn (as opposed to say Russian or Chinese).Over half of English vocabulary has similar roots to Spanish vocabulary. That’s because over half of English words are from Latin or French. Since most Spanish words are of Latin origin, too, this means that there is a high degree of lexical similarity in comparison to other languages.That said, you still have to put the work in. You can’t just say that because half your vocabulary shares the same roots that you’re already 50% fluent in Spanish. There are plenty of exceptions and false friends that will show you that it’d be foolish to underestimate how difficult Spanish can be.In any case, if you’re looking for one of the easier languages for an English speaker to learn, it would be foolish for you to pass up on Spanish.So if you are thinking  why learn Spanish, the comparably easy nature of the language for English speakers means that you could see quick progress in your Spanish course, or your private Spanish lessons with a Spanish teacher.What Business Opportunities Does Spanish Hold?Not learning Spanish could severely hinder you when it comes to doing business with a number of huge markets.While English still remains the language of international business, Spanish isn’t far behind. In fact, there are plenty of massive Spanish-speaking companies.That is why I started Spanish courses London with my Superprof tutor!Spanish is a huge advantage when it comes to finding a job. (Source: pixabay.com)The growth of Latin American economies, such as in Chile, Mexico, and Colombia, has led to an increase in trade. For example, the EU is in advanced talks to finalise a trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, which will make it one of the EU's biggest market opening agreements. The bloc already has a deal in place with the Andean countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, whilst it is close to updating a trade agreement that it has had in place with Mexico since 2000.You get the picture: If you want to do more business, it's probably best that you start learning to speak Spanish. The good thing is that you can easily learn Spanish online. Furthermore, if you’re a business owner, there are a lot of opportunities that you might be missing by not speaking Spanish. Speaking Spanish migh t even create opportunities you didn’t realize were there.Job Opportunities Are Endless if you Speak SpanishWouldn’t you like to add something interesting to your résumé?If you speak Spanish, you will stand out from the crowd. There are far more interesting positions available for those who speak Spanish and English.Let’s not forget that it’s going to make finding a job much simpler, too. Spanish-speaking countries are developing fast. Make sure that you’re ahead of the trend!If you are looking for reasons to learn Spanish at school, then the job opportunities that you will be presented with later on in life is surely one of the biggest. Starting language courses earlier on in life will keep you ahead of the trend when it comes to grammar, verbs, and their conjugation at university.If you’re struggling to find a job back home, why not look for work in a Spanish-speaking country? Plenty of people nowadays are jetting off and working abroad. Why? Because the cost of livi ng is cheaper elsewhere.  In fact, retiring in the sun isn’t a bad option, either! You could live like royalty.Spanish speaking countries make up 4 of  the top 5 destinations for retirees, and Malaysia, Portugal, and Malta are the only non-Hispanic countries in the top 10!   If retirement isn’t currently on the horizon, there’s nothing stopping you visiting these countries. You might not want to come home after, though...Learning Spanish Exercises Your BrainIt’s proven that learning a language is a stimulating activity for your brain.  Learning a language like Spanish is a great way to keep your brain young and provide excellent mental stimulation.Speaking Spanish is like working out for your brain. (Source: pixabay.com)Thus, if you have the free time to learn a language and would like to do something interesting, you should try out Spanish. You won’t be disappointed. It doesn’t really matter what age you start learning Spanish. Taking Spanish classes in a group is a gre at way to meet people and feed your curiosity.The are advantages to all Spanish study methods, but the one that links them all in the impact that they have on the brain. As science has shown us: the brain is an organ that requires daily training. Learning Spanish is a great way to stay mentally active and may even encourage you to learn another language once you’ve finished. If you’re asking yourself whether you’re too old to learn Spanish, the answer is a resounding “no!”.Missing Out of a Rich Hispanic CultureTaking Spanish classes is a great way to learn more about other cultures.Do you like learning about new cultures and traditions? It’s great, isn’t it? Everyone has their own culture and traditions. It’s fascinating learning about them, too. Learning Spanish will give you an opportunity to get even closer to these cultures.Furthermore, learning about other cultures can teach us more about our own. “Travel shapes youth” as the saying goes. The more you know, the bigger your world becomes.Now that you have 9 reasons to speak Spanish, why not get started?  Look for Spanish tutors on our site and find a language that is as enriching as its culture.

Are Kids with ADHD at Risk for Becoming Overweight as Adults

Are Kids with ADHD at Risk for Becoming Overweight as Adults The term ADHD often invokes images of hyperactive children who rarely sit still and have endless amounts of energy. Think about what these children may be like as adults, and youll likely picture individuals who are always on the go and maintain a relatively average weight because they are so active. Of course, today we know that ADHD is associated with much more than hyperactivity, and that some kids with ADHD experience difficulties with inattention and/or impulsivity without being at all hyperactive. However, even for non-hyperactive kids, parents, teachers, and mental health professionals have historically not considered ADHD to be a risk factor for obesity. Yet, recent research has in fact shown that adults who were diagnosed with ADHD during childhood are more likely to be overweight or obese than adults without a history of ADHD. There is also evidence to suggest that kids with ADHD are more likely to be overweight or obese than kids without ADHD (although additional research is needed to confirm these findings). Why are kids with ADHD at increased risk for becoming overweight or obese in their lifetime? At this point, researchers arent sure, but they do have some theories. Preliminary studies suggest that dysregulated eating patterns, decreased physical activity, sleep problems, genetics, and the executive functioning deficits associated with ADHD may be some of the factors driving the connection. Studies also suggest that treatment of ADHD symptoms with stimulant medication significantly reduces obesity risk. While there is little specific guidance currently available for parents of kids with ADHD around obesity prevention, targeting factors that may underlie the connection between ADHD and obesity is a good place to start. Helping your child learn to regulate his or her appetite and eating habits, develop healthy sleep patterns, and become physically active will make it much easier for him or her to engage in a healthy lifestyle as adults. For kids who respond well to stimulant medications, including medication in their ADHD treatment plan may also be an effective preventative measure. Making lifestyle changes to support your childs eating, sleeping, and physical activity habits can be challenging, and it can be hard to know where to start. In general, its best to start small and target one or two areas at a time. Here are a few ideas to get you started: Help your child regulate his or her appetite and eating habits. Help your child regulate his or her appetite by providing meals and snacks on a consistent schedule (on both weekdays and weekends). This will help ensure that your child is hungry when mealtimes come around. Your child will eat more of the healthy foods on his or her plate and will develop an improved awareness of his or her bodys hunger cues. Avoid letting your child graze on food throughout the day or engage in mindless eating while watching TV or playing videogames. Encourage your child to eat (and enjoy) a range of foods. Kids will be more likely to be on board with broadening their meal options if they are involved in choosing which foods they will eat, and in preparing their meals. If your goal is to have your child eat more vegetables, allow to choose from 2 or more veggie options, and/or a selection of relatively healthy sauces that he or she can add to enhance the flavor. Involve your child in meal prep activities when time allows, and plan some fun cooking and healthy baking activities during weekends and school breaks. Encourage physical activity through participation in sports. Kids, teens, and adults are more likely to be physically active if they are participating in athletic activities that they enjoy. Help your child find a sport that he or she loves and provide him or her with the opportunity to participate regularly. It doesnt really matter if its a team sport or an individual sport, as long as its something he or she looks forward to doing. Your child will be building skills that he or she can apply to other athletic pursuits as he or she grows, and he or she will develop a positive association with exercise that will stay with him or her as he or she grows into adults. Prioritize sleep. Sleep can be a real struggle for many kids with ADHD. With busy schedules, it can be easy to allow kids to stay up late and get less sleep than they really need. But the cost of insufficient sleep is high for kids with ADHD it makes their symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity worse in the short term, and can interfere with their ability to regulate their emotions and appetite now and in the future. So, make your childs sleep a priority by creating a sleep schedule and sticking to it. Be a good role model. Kids will have the most success with regulating their eating habits, activity levels, and sleep patterns if they see their parents engaging in these healthy behaviors too! If making any of these changes feels overwhelming, or your child shows persistent difficulties with eating, sleeping, or engaging in physical activity, reach out to your pediatrician and ask for extra support. Even small steps that you take now will go a long way in helping your child develop healthy lifestyle habits that will benefit him or her throughout his or her lifetime. For a summary of the latest research on the link between ADHD and Obesity, check out the following article: Cortese, S. Tessari, L. (2017). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obesity: Update 2016. Current Psychiatry Reports, 19, ePub. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-017-0754-1 ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

AJ Tutoring has a new office in Los Gatos

AJ Tutoring has a new office in Los Gatos Were excited to announce the opening of AJ Tutorings second office in Los Gatos! Our new office is located at 16275 Los Gatos Boulevard, near the intersection of Los Gatos Boulevard and Blossom Hill Road.AJ Tutorings new Los Gatos location is a full-service office, offering one-on-one test prep and academic tutoring. Having just wrapped up the 2014 PSAT season, our tutors are now getting students ready for the December ACT and starting to look toward the busy spring 2015 testing cycle.A number of fantastic academic tutors are also available at Los Gatos to help your student succeed in a tough class. We offer academic tutoring in all subjects, from math and science to history and English. Finals are coming up next month, but theres still time to work on this semesters grades!AJ Tutoring Los Gatos will also offer small group SAT classes, beginning in January for the March 2015 SAT. Our SAT classes are limited to fewer than 10 students and are taught by experienced SAT instructors. SAT classes at the Los Gatos office will be taught by John McNulty. For a complete SAT class schedule, please consult our website.If youd like to connect your student with a tutor at our Los Gatos office or would like more information, please reach out to us anytime! You can give us a call at (408) 345-5200 or email info@ajtutoring.com, and one of our directors will be in touch with you shortly.And if youre in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by 16275 Los Gatos Boulevard and check out the new office. Wed love to talk with you!

Why teachers shouldnt be a last-minute hire

Why teachers shouldn’t be a last-minute hire It’s like anything really, leave it to the last minute and you’ll end up in a long queue with everyone else, waiting for whatever's left over by the time you get to the cake counter. (Yes, this metaphor will continue to revolve around baked goods ). Maybe you really want a Victoria Sponge, but you left it late, got stuck in traffic, and well, by the time you get to the bakery, it feels like everyone else has had the exact same idea. You stand in the queue, dread building, as you watch all the lovely sponge cakes walk off the shelf. Their smug owners are disappearing out the door and into the horizon. The lady at the till chimes “next,” so you take a deep breath, face the counter and try not to cry. There’s nothing left but a sad eclair. You probably haven’t been asked this question before. In fact, I’m 90% sure you haven’t… Do you want your teachers to be the Victoria sponge cakes of this world or, well, the sad eclairs? You might ask what’s so complicated about hiring a teacher? And I counter with this: what is so hard about buying a cake? It’s life. It’s tricky. There are often unforeseen obstacles. Maybe you spent your morning looking for the car keys while taming a toddler. Perhaps there was a traffic accident. There are so many things that can get in the way of buying a bit of sponge cake; a seemingly innocuous item on a to-do list. Those complications are only multiplied when it comes to hiring great teachers. Complications new teachers face that take time: Obtaining visas is no joke. You are going to want plenty of time for candidates to get their paperwork in, sort themselves out and sail past this hurdle. With a job offer, there’s unlikely to be any issues aside from actually having the time to go through the process. Booking flights can be pricey. This takes time, especially if candidates are footing the cost. Hiring far enough out that they can take advantage of cheaper flights will be a massive bonus for some. Nobody wants the stress of putting last-minute flights on their credit card right before they move to a new country. Finding and researching accommodation. You might have a fair idea of where teachers will end up living. But they don’t! So this will be a big concern. They will want some idea about availability, costs and if you offer a stipend. Other concerns will be proximity to the school and basic facilities, how the average kitchen is equipped, what it might look like. You don’t need hard-and-fast answers, but painting an honest picture of what teachers can expect in your country is something you need to have thought about. Because these are questions teachers will have. Packing up entire lives. Whether it’s forwarding their post, giving notice on apartments, finding suitcases, saying goodbye to family and friends, trying to get their lives under the weight limit of 50 kg… all of this is a headache and a half. Teachers need time to sort it all. You don’t want teachers arriving half-organized and stressed out of their minds, they need time to adjust to what is a significant life change. Giving notice in their current roles.Many great teachers are already teaching, which is wonderful - they have experience, they know what the job takes. Too often I see schools hiring teachers out of work, even though they may not be the best candidate. Great teachers often find their next role before handing in their notice, or start looking before renewals. That means you need to be on the lookout for teachers now, and not just when you need them. Researching your school. Some people will just go where the wind takes them, with little concern for logistics, school culture and all the rest. But most people want as much information as possible. They will need some time to google you, read online reviews and get a feel for the school and surrounding area. People can spend hours and hours researching a two-week holiday, imagine how long they can spend researching a place they’re planning to set their lives up in. Reaching out to other teachers at your school. This is one of the best ways to transition a teacher into your school. Set them up with a communicative, like-minded teacher who was either in their shoes or has enough empathy to understand what moving across the world is like. The new teacher is likely going to want to ask them a truckload of questions about the school, and well, questions take time… This might sound like an awful lot of hand-holding to you. But taking the time to consider where these teachers are coming from and the time it will take for them to make a balanced and informed decision is pivotal. You don’t want them to agree in a hurry and then jilt your school at the last minute. If they’ve had time to consider and become properly informed, they’re going to be a lot happier and better prepared in the classroom. Rushing it reduces the quality of teacher at your school I was recently chatting with a school that is struggling to recruit teachers in Moscow. They’ve got a strategy in place that they assured me “always worked before.” I bet you’re wondering what that strategy is? Well so was I! Naturally, I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions or make any suggestions without getting a feel for what was really going on, maybe something about their school was broken? It couldn’t possibly be as simple as a defunct strategy, maybe their website was down, or they were cutting spending on recruitment. After a few minutes it became clear what the problems were: Their recruitment strategy was too basic. It left too many rocks unturned and far too many teachers unaware of their presence. They left recruitment too late, so ended up hiring teachers by waiting for staff in other international schools in their area to jump ship. Yup, they were recruiting their competitors’ castoffs I’m all about reduce, reuse, recycle in the broader sense - but when it comes to teachers, I’m not so sure. If they just happen to be hanging about, and you happen to be hiring, how much of a choice are they making? Isn’t it better to hire teachers who have decided wholeheartedly to work for you? Who are excited to make a home there and see what you have to offer? Will a quick hire be the best possible teacher you could imagine working at your school? Just because they happen to be in your city…is a convenient hire, the best hire? Clearly they, or the school, were unhappy - and you have to wonder if they’re going to be able to stick it out at your school. Are you hiring quitters? Your strategy is SO 2000 and late...FIX IT! ? ….as the heading implies, trends do not last forever, and you need to stay ahead of them. Just when you get comfortable with your strategy, it is likely that there will be a new innovation or development that can enhance your recruitment. Finding a recruitment partner (like Teach Away..ahem! ) is imperative when it comes to keeping your school moving forward. Think about it this way… Why do parents choose to send their brood to your school and not your competitor? If your STEM teaching staff are made up of your competitors ‘castoffs’ and not the finest educators you can source, are you really going to remain the top choice? Do you personally rush into choosing a new role the second you have let your school know your intentions to leave? Or do you research schools and roles for months in advance, carefully constructing a hit list of desired locations and target schools? I’m guessing the latter. It’s only fair that you give your future teachers the same time and consideration you expect. That means - using recruitment solutions, social media, your website, better job postings and making your school as visible and transparent as possible. Don'tlet poor timing be the enemy of your school’s excellence. In case I haven’t hammered the point home already, all of this takes time. And it’s my job to help you find that time and make sure you get the best quality teachers teaching in your classrooms. If you’re curious about how to make recruitment easier, tweaking your strategy, or just having a general chat about whatever ails your school...feel free to contact me! I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Back-to-School Month September Report

Back-to-School Month September Report This post reports about company activities in the month of September, the back-to-school month in 2013. While the back-to-school season started late and slow, the month of September 2013 ended strong. In fact, with an number of 746 tutoring jobs this September became almost as successful as the all-time record of October 2012 when we referred 769 students to tutors. Moreover, the unique visitor count crossed the 10,000 mark for the first time; 10,248 to be precise. In our analysis, the downward trend in web stats observed over the summer months was stopped primarily due to two events. First, the annual back-to-school season when students return to school looking extending their learning options through tutoring. Secondly, an unexpected Google search update: Hummingbird. This new algorithm ranks Tutorz search snippets higher for longer search queries, e.g. Chinese tutor new york city. Hummingbird is a milestone in Googles path away from the traditional keyword match algorithm towards a more semantical (meaning-based) match. In this context, our work with the Google webmaster tools most likely contributed to our back-to-school success. Supporting signal of our Hummingbird hypothesis is another a drop in the bounce rate from 52% in July to 47% in August to now a mere 42%. (When Google sends better matched visitors to TutorZ the bounce rate would drop.) Another signal in support of our Hummingbird hypothesis is the increase in pageviews per visit which is now at 5.38. Yet as always there are some downward stats: The Alexa traffic rank decreased from 200,000 to 277,000 for the US region. Worldwide, the traffic rank remains steady at 800,000. Furthermore, Craigslist and Backpage marketing tools continue to performing quite poor. Also, the TutorZ PR rank remains at a constant 3, no upgrade to 4 in sight. The marketing department achieved several big events this September. TutorZ was named a California Company of Excellence by the Small Business Institute in Washington, DC. Next, the principal authority on homeschooling awarded TutorZ the Top Homeschooling Curriculum award. Then there was Johns excellent article Another School Year Begins and Lillys stunning success of her post on How Japanese Children Multiply (718 likes and 20,000+ views).  Finally, we produced the 2nd video of our Chinese for Travelers series. On the technological front we can report an update to production server with the better performing Apache 2.4 and PHP 5.4. We have released improvements to our tutor profile pages which are a part of our long-awaited ratings review feature. Next, we now have 4 fully automated and well-designed emails directed at tutors (activation, welcome, profile completion and social media email). These email aim to improving the profile content, social media exposure and assessment of tutor quality. Furthermore, the old registration incomplete system was retired in favor for the new tutor approval system. Overall, TutorZ had a better than expected back-to-school season. Stay tuned for our ratings review feature in October together with even higher stats.