HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

I just lost about twenty minutes of my life on a frog game for my phone. You can’t redeem any points for prizes or money, and there are no brain-expanding benefits. You catch frogs, you hop them around and they eat. Perhaps the programmers were counting on my nostalgic feelings of sitting reverse cross-legged on the floor playing Frogger.

If you are looking for a slightly more redeemable app for the little one’s, CloudBurst has an adorable bunny in their “Talking Rabbit” App. The bunny aims to entertained the smallest tots, and teaches names of basic body parts, letters and numbers. The rabbit reacts when a child touches her ears, tickles her, or touches the scenery. When the child talks to the rabbit, the bun repeats it. While some sound effects become a bit grating to parents, you might begin to love the rabbit when peace temporarily interrupts a long, trying car ride this weekend.

You can try Talking Rabbit on your iPhone, iTouch or iPad. The app is absolutely free from iTunes. If you want to go ad free, pay just .99.

My local library has several opportunities a month for children to read with therapy dogs in a story hour setting. How do dogs teach children how to read? Apparently, the children naturally want to read to the dogs and make sure they are entertained! Reluctant readers want to participate, and also children with concentration problems find it grounding to pet a dog.

There’s a different type of therapy dog that is hoping to develop the reading skills of readers ages four through eight. Tristan is a Bichon Frise therapy dog who has a series of books chronicling his adventures with humane companion Trudee Lewis. They volunteer as a team with California-based Paws for Healing. The series of nine books feature a single theme or adventure each. There is a title about Tristan’s job as a therapy dog, and a book about getting groomed as well as the latest installment, Tristan Goes to the Store.

The stories, published in paperback form, build a child’s skills of sounding words and phrases out. In a subtle way, readers learn that dogs like Tristan require not just an occasional pat, but love and sometimes specialized care, such as grooming for special coats. Children will also be introduced to the concept of pets helping others.

All volumes are available online, or request them from your favorite independent book store.

Here’s an encouraging sign:

According to The College Board (collegeboard.org), the 2009-2010 college school year saw a record number of Pell Grants–both in dollar amount and number of awards. The $28.2 billion in total awards outpaced the prior year by almost $10 billion. Tuition increases may discourage students from pursuing degrees, but before you are soundly daunted, check into scholarships and grants. While state budgets may slash gifts to universities, individual students are receiving more government aid. The more aid a student gets, the smaller the amount of the college loans carried around on their backs after graduation. Not only that, but the door opens for students who would not normally consider a college education in the first place, having desire but no obvious funding source to justify the commitment.

Public universities may cry poverty over diminished funding, but doesn’t an influx in revenue from actual tuition keep schools more competitive to lure students? At the very least, the operating budget coincides with the actual number of students wishing to attend? This works, in principle. In actuality, a university is not merely funding the education of the individual student, class materials and the rent or mortgage on the square footage that the desk their derriere rests on occupies, but other holdings. The whole experience includes archival art and rare books, green spaces and walkways to study and study upon.

Will you go back and finish that degree to have a competitive edge, or have the edge to have more fire power and influence to help others?

With the news of school districts in various areas consolidating or downsizing, folks with dreams of getting their Teacher Certification are reconsidering their strategy. Even so, there is a dire need for science and technical teachers.

The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship is encouraging college graduates in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (“STEM”) to get a Master’s in the field to become a teacher. To qualify, you must have carried a GPA of 3.0 or better in an undergraduate degree and your past or projected graduation date can be no later than June 30, 2012. Selected candidates will receive a $30,000 stipend to start and complete the Master’s degree which will include field experience. While no one can predict what the demand might be in the future, the candidate must commit to teaching in a high school classroom setting for at least three years. Therefore, applicants must be U.S Citizens or legal permanent residents.

Right now, the Fellowship partners with colleges and Universities in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. You may receive your undergraduate degree from any accredited university or college, but the Masters must be completed at select institutions within these three states. For a fellowship teaching opportunity. To apply or for more information, visit “http://www.wwteachingfellowship.org.

Above: Former college professor, and of course, President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson

Guest post of the week by Nestor Nielsen.

Vet school was what I had always imagined for myself, but getting there was tougher than I thought it would be. I had to complete four years at an undergraduate university before I could even apply for vet school and classes were harder than I thought. Of course I sailed right through the math and science classes but the English and art subjects really tripped me up. I couldn’t believe Shakespeare was going to keep me from getting into vet school!

Thankfully I went to CLEAR 4G site and found a good English tutor on campus, so I squeaked by with a B and barely saved my GPA. I even started to like reading by the end of it! Right now I’m waiting to hear back regarding my application and though I’m nervous, I think I should get in. I can’t wait to spend my days learning about animal care and finally getting into a real animal hospital to play with the pooches. My dream is almost a reality and I have my English tutor to thank!

Christmas candy and toys may be natural items you may think of to donate to children in need, but have you ever considered purchasing and donating Halloween costumes? More so, have you ever considered donating them in the spring? Do you have any costume party plans this summer? If not, I know someone who does.

There are many groups that gladly accept the donations of complete Children’s Costumes right now. A horse, firefighter or princess costume could stock a “make believe” trunk in a homeless shelter’s children’s play room or in an under funded kindergarten classroom. Summer youth ranches and programs for at-risk kids and teens and summer performing arts groups could use them for productions–both meticulously planned and impromptu.

Skip the trendy characters and scary faces to ensure the longevity of your donation. Far more classic choices last beyond the trick-or-treat season and are relevant for years to come. This year, help some deserving kids start the party early.

The college GI bill has been well-publicized. Essentially, a prospective student serves in the military for a set amount of time and in exchange, the armed forces funds college costs as a benefit. I was unaware of specific facts and figures, but the post-9/11 benefit is for $13,500 or 36 months of schooling for the enlistee or military family member. The benefits are applicable at eligible financial institutions. For some reason, it did not register with me that qualified colleges could use accredited online colleges such as Ashworth College, as well as traditional campuses. In fact, if you shop around, you could finish school with little to no debt if you find a competitive price.

One of the objections I have heard about the GI Bill was the reluctance for potential applicant to be attending college as an older student, that they would feel out of touch even being two to six years older than entering freshman. My 30 year old self would shake her head at that, but my 18 year old self would have recoiled in horror about “being that much older.” If you attend online, you won’t be just starting what your friends have finished. You could potentially carry a part- or full-time job while attending, volunteer or even raise the family that you did not want to put off until after graduation. Online classes require similar amounts of study hours, but you can study or attend a bit more flexibly.

If you have served under the GI bill–thank you for serving. If you have been considering it, but did not want to “go away” to school, this could be a valid option.

The following is a guest post by Lokesh B.

Many people struggle to find a fulfilling career that fulfills their interests and needs. To gain direction in finding your desired career path, you may consider undergoing professionally conducted psychological evaluations. One of the most common personality tests used to help people find the right career is the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory. The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory is a highly regarded test instrument used frequently by counselors to identify your interests and how they relate to specific occupations.

The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory consists of lists of various activities and themes. You will be asked whether you like, dislike or are indifferent to each activity or theme. Once your interest in the various themes and activities has been measured, the testing counselor will then review how your responses correlate with the responses of others in various occupations. You’ll be matched with various occupations based on the similarity of your interests with people in the recommended occupations. The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory operates on the basis of six personality themes. The themes are realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising and conventional. Many people will exhibit characteristics of more than one theme.

The Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory is just one of many highly regarded personality tests that you can use to get to know yourself better and find a career that you will find fulfilling and gratifying. By becoming more self-aware and honestly examining your interests and personality traits with the guidance of a skilled counselor, you’ll find your way to the career that is right for you.

I was lucky. Although my parents didn’t have a lot of money, it was important to them to make sure I didn’t have to work while I was in high school. Granted, I did earn money by babysitting and other teen enterprises, but I didn’t punch a clock. They wanted me to be able to concentrate on school work and to volunteer.  By giving me that, I was better prepared to decide what course of study to take after school, and could do things that would be just a fantasy once I got into the “real world” and had to work.  In some ways, I don’t think I took advantages of as many opportunities as I should have, but on the other hand, I think it allowed me to be a kid just a little longer.  I wasn’t up late hanging outside the kitchen of a restaurant at one A.M.and it gave me a love of volunteering and helping others.

Now, there are broader teen summer community service programs that also provides exposure to travel or another culture. Teens might help build a bridge or rebuild a home, along with experiencing another culture. While I think it is a good thing, what bothered me is that there were never opportunities within our own country, for teens or parents who are reluctant to send then abroad or even to teach that charity begins at home and doesn’t have to be exotic to make a difference. After all, there are so many folks who will send money to causes overseas but will turn their back on a neighbor in need.  Luckily, I have found a few trips that focus on rebuilding homes in the Gulf, or refurbishing structures and playgrounds on tribal lands. Many churches provide missions trips, but there are companies that provide experiences as well.

If you are looking for a bigger experience during the summer than playing video games and you can wait on the babysitting until you get back, you might what to try a week or month long service trip on for size.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Woodrow Wilson. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you recently graduated, or are soon to graduate with a degree in a science or mathematics? Despite the consolidation of school districts and the laying off of teachers that is going on in some areas of the nation, a shortage of high school teachers that specialize in science or mathematics remains. It is not just the current needs, but the projected needs of the next several years.

The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship is seeking a few folks who are interested in a career change, or have yet to set foot into the business world. If you are accepted, you will receive a stipend of $30,000 to complete a Master’s Degree in Education. While life cannot guarantee you will remain a teacher forever, a three year commitment of teaching at the high school level is mandatory. The next application deadline is a few short days away – on September 1st.

To fill out your application, please visit www.wwteachingfellowship.org. Basic requirements, aside from a finished, or soon to be completed (by June 2011), degree are: a 3.0 GPA or higher, be a United States citizen or permanent legal resident and have the willingness to teach in a high-need school for three years. There are 14 participating universities and colleges. You need not be a resident of the state where the chosen school is located.