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Should you wish to contact me, please use this email address:  don.keagy@rswsu.org
 
 
 

Education is not the filling of a pail,
but the lighting of a fire.
William Butler Yeats

 
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A SUITABLE CAREER (adapted from Abroadeducation 2005)

Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions everyone has to make. Some people know exactly what they want to do with their life, and for them, picking a career field might be easy. But many find it a daunting task

So how do students go about picking the right career? Here are some thoughts people have when it comes to choosing a career.

Is choosing career a simple job?
In fact, choosing a career is a complicated process, and students should give it the time it deserves. Career planning is a multi-step process that involves learning enough about yourself and the occupations, which you are considering. Then an informed decision can be made.

Can a career counselor tell me what occupation to pick?
A career counselor, or any other career development professional, can't tell you what career is best for students. He or she can provide students with guidance in choosing a career and can help facilitate students' decisions.

Why I can't make a living from my hobby?
When choosing a career, it makes perfect sense to choose one that is related to what you enjoy doing in your spare time, if you so desire. In addition, people tend to become very skilled in their hobbies, even though most of their skills have been gained informally.

Will making a lot of money make me happy?
While salary is important, it isn't the only factor students should look at when choosing a career. Countless surveys have shown that money doesn't necessarily lead to job satisfaction. For many people, enjoying what they do at work is much more important. However, students should consider earnings, among other things, when evaluating an occupation.

Once I choose a career, will I be stuck in it forever?
No, you will not be. If you are dissatisfied in your career, you can always change it. You'll be in good company. Many people change careers several times over the course of their lifetime.

Will my skills go to waste if I change my careers?
Your skills are yours to keep. You can take them from one job to another. You may not use them in the exact same way, but they won't be useless.

If my best friend or relative is happy in a particular field, will I be, too?
Everyone is different. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another, even if that other person is someone with whom you have a lot in common. If someone you know has a career that interests you, look into it, but be aware of the fact that it may not necessarily be a good fit for you.

Is all I have to do is pick an occupation?
Things will fall into place after that. Choosing a career is a great start, but there's a lot more to do after that. A career action plan is a road map that takes you from choosing a career to becoming employed in that occupation to reaching your long-term career goals.

How can I know more about my preferred occupation?
There are several ways to know about your chosen occupation. You may search several print and online resources about that particular job and learn more about it. You can even ask those who have been working in that particular field for a long time. 2005-2010 2005-2010

Help Your Child Ace His Next Vocabulary Test

Is your child quizzed on weekly vocabulary words? Help him or her prepare with these tips.

   Ways to Study   Vocabulary Words

By Mr. Cheung Lung Lu

1. Written Repetition - copy the word and/or its definition a number of times on paper.

2. Oral Repetition - Read the word and its definition aloud a number of times.

3. Art - Draw a picture next to the word.

4. Visualization - Imagine an image with the word or first letter.

5. Association - Make up a story about the word(s), or associate an idea or a part of the word with its meaning.

6. Dramatization - Act out the word physically.

7. Word Parts - Use prefix and suffixes to help with the meaning of the word.

8. Music - Write a rap or song about it.

9. Computers - Type the word and its definition into a computer.

10. Write a story about the words

11 Practice the words  with a partner.

12. Study the words often and much in advance of the quiz.

 

 

Last modified May 2010

 

Hints for helping with home work

  • Encouragement – Give your child praise for efforts and for completing assignments.
  • Availability – Encourage your child to do the work independently, but be available for assistance.
     
  • Scheduling – Establish a set time to do homework each day. You may want to use a calendar to keep track of assignments and due dates.
     
  • Space - Provide a space for homework, stocked with necessary supplies, such as pencils, pens, paper, dictionaries, a computer, and other reference materials.
     
  • Discipline – Help your child focus on homework by removing distractions, such as television, radio, telephone, and interruptions from siblings and friends.
     
  • Modeling - Consider doing some of your work, such as paying bills or writing letters, during your child's homework time.
     
  • Support – Talk to your child about difficulties with homework. Be willing to talk to your child's teacher to resolve problems in a positive manner.
     
  • Involvement – Familiarize yourself with the CPS Homework Policy. Make sure that you and your child understand the teacher's expectations. At the beginning of the year, you may want to ask your child's teacher:
    • What kinds of assignments will you give?
       
    • How often do you give homework?
       
    • How much time are the students expected to spend on them?
       
    • What type of involvement do you expect from parents?

Overview of  Mr. Keagy's Courses

Seminar Courses: These courses are specifically designed for high-school juniors and seniors. In Junior Seminar, students take a career inventory test, learn about career opportunities, investigate career training institutes and colleges, and prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). In Senior Seminar, students prepare for the SAT, complete college applications, write college application essays, apply for scholarships, write a career paper, and study personal finances. 

FastForword: This computer-based reading program was developed by Scientific Learning, Inc., after years of research on the human brain. Modern research shows that struggling readers often have poorly developed neuropathways that inhibit reading success. In this course students participate in reading activities that "exercise" the parts of the brain that relate to reading. During the first week of class, a pre-test is given to measure students' initial reading level and competency. At the end of the semester, a post test is given to measure students' reading achievement. All activities are individually  assigned, and students work at their own pace. Instructional activities are available for both the struggling reader and the competent reader.

Writing Lab: This course reinforces and develops academic writing skills. Basic writing skills are taught, reinforced, and enhanced. Students write for a full class period each day.   

                  Student Hint

Research Papers: the link below will take you to a cite that explains everything students need to know to write a successful research paper.

How to organize a research paper and document it with MLA citations

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Model Congress

Each year, high-school students, grades 9-12, are invited to join Model Congress Club of which Mr. Keagy is the advisor. The purpose of the club is to better understand how a legislative bill becomes a law and how, as members of a democratic society, we can affect positive change. Poultney students will draft a legislative bill and present it during the yearly Model Congress session at American International College in Springfield, MA.

Model Congress weblink

 

 

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