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No More Teacher Burnout

Recently I’ve been wishing I could thank my favorite elementary school teacher, Mrs. Hartman, for inspiring me to become a writer. A white-haired, dignified woman with tons of energy and enthusiasm, she knew precisely how to cultivate creativity in her students and keep them orderly and focused at the same time. She brought a near-religious zeal to her teaching of seventh grade language arts, permanently embedding in my mind the rules of grammar that I refer to every day as a writer. And I can still remember the laughter as we read our creative writing aloud to each other each week in her class, fueling my love of sharing stories.

Alas, the Mrs. Hartmans of the world are becoming hard to find. Not because there aren’t dedicated and talented teachers—there are plenty of those—but because few teachers are able to stay in the profession long enough to become seasoned veterans. Half of new teachers bow out after just five years on the job, says the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future. This is especially a problem in urban schools, where an even higher turnover rate results in a higher percentage of under-qualified teachers. And the yearly cost to constantly replace teachers nationwide is a staggering $5.8 billion.

First Woman President of the USA

Following a precedent in national leadership set by several other western nations, the USA may not be waiting long for its first woman President. Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution states: Before he enter on

Educating Girls in Uganda

Uganda, like most countries in Africa, has experienced drought, famine, war, political instability, human rights violations, an AIDS epidemic, and extreme poverty. Providing higher education for Ugandan girls is especially critical, as research has shown that when young girls and women are educated, they are able to care better for their children and lead their families out of poverty.

The evidence is so striking that it can be boiled down to one sentence: If you want to change the world, invest in the education of girls.

What’s Good for the Goose May Not be Good for the Gander

“For nearly 25 years, the Society for Women’s Health Research has fought for more research into gender differences in health and medicine. We’re pleased to see this critical issue for women getting the increased attention it deserves. The more women know how treatments may affect them differently from men, the healthier they will be. SWHR also actively supports the study of gender differences in heart disease. We encourage more study on the different risk factors for each gender. SWHR is proud to lead the way in exploring how diseases and conditions affect women more than, or differently from, men.”—Phyllis Greenberger, President and CEO, Society for Women’s Health Research

Men and women are different. It seems obvious, but apparently it’s not obvious when it comes to medical research, diagnostics and treatment.

Yearning for More: The Quest for Enlightenment, Part Four

The Sixth State of Consciousness: Refined Cosmic Consciousness

“The sixth state of consciousness is the state of enlightenment in which the individual…experiences a much deeper appreciation of the profound harmony and grandeur of creation.” (Alexander et al)

Refined Cosmic Consciousness, the sixth state of consciousness, is characterized by full refinement of our senses of perception and our ability to love. I remember vividly when I first heard about this further state of enlightenment. It was a few months after I had learned TM and I was utterly fascinated.

The Personal Journey of Acharn Yai, Buddhist Nun

(Part two of a two-part series)

Acharn Yai is not a typical Buddhist nun. For one thing, she drives a car, uses a cell phone, and is committed to employing the best of modern technology to help the school thrive, even creating her own videos for fundraising.

Helping At-Risk Girls in Thailand Succeed

(Part one of a two-part series)

They come from all over Thailand, speaking many different dialects. Some are orphans, some from families destroyed by divorce. Others, members of the hill tribes huddled at Thailand’s northern borders, suffer from extreme destitution. Some have been abandoned to the streets. Often their parents are young and ill-equipped for raising a child. One young mother dropped off her preschool girls because her new boyfriend didn’t want them around.

Creating World Peace from Home

I have a friend and associate who was a soldier in the US Army and saw up close what happens during armed conflict. Whether or not you have had the first-hand experience that she and

Social Media

With the advent of social media such as Facebook and Twitter, on top of traditional news media, are we really more connected?

Tweet: CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz’s vision to give further to improve corporate-community relations. Finally a leader…

Happiness, Pleasure and Meaning

If someone asked me, “What’s more important to you, being happy or finding meaning in life?” I’d have trouble answering. Like some kind of trick question in a fairytale, I’m thinking, Why not have both?

This question came up after I read a NY Times Opinionator piece citing a new study that showed today’s generation of young people born after 1980, called millennials or Generation Y, are so altruistic that they are choosing professions that bring meaning to life—rather than seeking personal happiness or more money.