Matthew Mann has over a decade of experience in various education administration roles. Matthew is currently the Director of Education at the North American Trade Schools in Baltimore, Maryland. Prior to that, Matthew taught auto mechanics and transportation courses.
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Technical Education Around the World
This blog initially appeared on Matthew Mann’s website here.
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Vocational and technical education is being pushed in the forefront around the world once again. Technical education doesn’t require the amount of time that university degree programs require, but they can produce highly skilled workers with the skills that employers need. It’s a great choice for countries looking to improve their workforce and economic competitiveness.
Tanzania
Tanzania is working to increase the availability of technical education for its youth. They have look towards none other than Germany as their mentor to how vocational education can enhance its economy. Germany is the world's leader in vocational education. The focus of the program is to provide opportunities for youth to get training in specific industries and occupations. They will utilize industry internships and apprenticeships to ensure that workers are skill ready.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is finally opening up to the idea of vocational education as a positive career path for all students. They have removed roadblocks to students pursuing a vocational education in lieu of university. Students who choose to take a vocational education track will no longer be giving up the opportunity to go a university in the future. Students can leave the track devoted to high-pressure university exams and study a career instead.
The Philippines
The Philippines has recently extended their secondary schools from 4 years to 6 years of study and have incorporated vocational-technical courses within these additional two years. Understanding the importance of a highly trained workforce, they have increased the opportunity for skills training and have even worked to provide free college and vocational training to all students. They are also working with other Southeast Asian countries to build a system of better vocational training in the region.
Australia
On the other end of the spectrum, Australia is dealing with a reduction in vocational education opportunities. Funding is a problem in many tertiary institutions. This has caused a reduction in vocational education opportunities. In fact, funding for some programs have dropped as much as 20% and much of the funding drops haven’t been able to be covered through increased tuition. This has meant fewer vocational technical opportunities at a time where other countries are increasing their availability of training opportunities to meet a changing world economy.
United Kingdom
The UK has long grappled with issues in vocational education and the idea that vocational credentials are some kind of second-class qualification. Attitudes are changing and people are realizing that it’s a quality career credential. In fact, the UK has a national Post 16 Skills Plan focused on ensuring that there is training beyond secondary school. It calls for more apprenticeships and more opportunities for career training.
It’s clear that despite a few roadblocks, many countries around the world are embracing vocational-technical education opportunities. They see vocational education as an opportunity to provide education and skills that their economies need in order to get ahead.
#MatthewMann#education#technicaleducation#tradeeducation#vocationaleducation#tradeschool#vocationalschool#educationblog
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3 Small Tidbits About Golfing
This blog initially appeared on Matthew Mann’s website here.
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Offseason Golf Tips
As winter approaches, the cold weather numbers your days on the golf course. This period can be tough for any golfer. The time off causes a loss of feel, strength, flexibility, and timing. However, there are ways to keep your skills fresh while you’re off. Try this:
Performing line drills with or without a golf ball can be useful.
All you need is a line on a carpet that is perpendicular to your target line.
You can also use a wedge and ping-pong balls to work on your short game.
Hitting the ball at various times will help you learn how to use the club to hit different shots.
Warming Up For A Golf Session
Just like with any form of physical activity, warming up for golf is crucial to staying safe and avoiding injuries. Golf stretching exercises will help increase your range of motion and your power. You want to avoid static stretching for your warm up. These kinds of stretching exercises can negatively affect your performance. Instead, focus on more dynamic, working stretches that will warm your muscles and prepare you for the game. Arm swings, trunk rotations, and side bends with a club are great examples. You should be sure to include a stretching session after your game as well. Include some static stretches here will be useful to improve flexibility.
Skills All Great Golfers Have
It is a fact that most professional golfers are not the greatest athletes in the world. However, they all possess particular attributes that make them successful. Two specific traits cited to turn a golfer from good to great. Those qualities are attitude and skill. These are skills that boost anyone in any profession but, in golf, they can add a substantial boost to one’s game. An excellent golfer maintains a calm, cool, and collected demeanor. Keeping a positive spirit even during a challenging game is a good sign. Skills that one should look for in a great golfer are tempo and distance control. Players who have a good tempo tend to maintain a smooth and fluid swing. It is also essential to know how far to each of your clubs. Great golfers recognize the various dynamics of their swings and have mastered the differences between them.
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Focus, Breath, and Swing: Removing Stress and Anxiety from Your Golf Game
This blog initially appeared on Matthew Mann’s website here.
Anxiety can be an all-consuming event. Imagine yourself on the first tee, mentally going through your routine, checking your stance, gripping the club for the first drive that day, going through all your mental checkpoints and suddenly you begin to feel anxious and nervous. You visualize your first drive carrying the ball into the woods, or just entirely out-of-bounds.
Before you know it, you are concentrating on your anxiety and stress and no longer focus on your approach to the ball or any of your other pre-swing routine steps. What you are feeling is normal. Baseball players, football players, basketball players and all sports enthusiasts experience stress and anxiety.
Suggestions to help you move past this emotional feeling:
You can take the Buddhist approach by using meditation, calming views of clouds passing by, relaxed breathing for a calming effect.
Begin preparing for this bout of anxiety before you even get to the golf course. Practice focus and concentration.
Practice calming breathing techniques. Slowly inhaling and slowly exhaling.
Grip your club and squeeze and release several times to release the tension in your hands and arms.
Relax, shake all the stress from your shoulders and continue breathing.
Feel confident, relaxed, in control and take that swing. Follow-through just as you mentally practiced, relaxed, in control and confident.
Other techniques to consider:
Be prepared for your day of golf.
Check your golf bag to ensure you have tees; your clubs are clean, you have bottled water or whatever you drink to refresh yourself on the course.
Ensure you are organized before stepping on the course.
Don't add additional stress related problems to your possible anxiety attack.
Be yourself and relax
Visualize success before you step up to tee off
Take control and suppress your emotions. Everyone knows golf has its good and bad days. Concentrate on the good and suppress the bad.
Trust yourself and your ability to perform, relax into your environment.
Turn on your autopilot, you are in control, and you feel the stress and anxiety leave.
Continue with your positive thoughts and follow-through.
You have control, just breathe slowly and take charge as you probably play better than you think and with practice, you will improve and feel better about the results.
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News About Upcoming Special Olympics Pennsylvania Events
This blog initially appeared on Matthew Mann’s website here.
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Special Olympics Pennsylvania ("SOPA"), a branch of the much larger global Special Olympics movement, provides venues for athletes with special challenges to enjoy the benefits offered by participating in competitive sporting events. The organization serves an estimated 20,000 athletes in the state of Pennsylvania. It furnishes free training and frequent events. Several upcoming activities will interest athletes and volunteers this month. Watch for emails concerning training calls!
SOPA maintains a busy winter schedule. Yet during the period between Thanksgiving and the arrival of the New Year the pace slows somewhat as everyone turns their attention towards the holiday season. This happy time provides opportunities to train volunteers and raise funds for upcoming activities:
Make a Splash This Month!
On Friday, December 1st, the organization will sponsor a fundraising "Polar Plunge" at Drexel University in Philadelphia. SOPA currently accepts registrations for this upcoming event. Volunteers can test their willingness to dive into a pool of cold water in order to raise funds for SOPA.
Conducted at the Recreation Center at 3301 Market Street on campus, the event lasts from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Last year, this well-attended fundraiser collected an impressive $100,000 for the Special Olympics. It will include four separate plunge categories: Cool Schools for high school students in SOPA's Interscholastic Unified Sports Program (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.); Power Lunch for interested business executives (12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.); and Public and University for members of the general public and anyone affiliated with Drexel University (5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.). SOPA conducts Polar Plunges at nine separate locations around the State of Pennsylvania during the course of the year.
Develop Your Bowling Skills
You can also register to participate in Bowling Skills Training conducted on Saturday, December 2nd in Bethlehem, PA. This event occurs from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Town & Country Lanes on Stefko Boulevard. It provides an opportunity to develop better bowling skills. Have fun and socialize with other SOPA supporters!
The athletes who enter SOPA competitions frequently face the challenge of living with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Their participation in Special Olympics events offers them a chance to showcase their capabilities without prejudice, and to enjoy the camaraderie and applause of others. None of our activities could occur without the generous support of volunteers!
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What You Should Eat To Make Your Body Strong
Diet is one of the most important factors in building a strong body. If you are not getting the nutrition that your body needs, you are not going to get the strength you desire. In today’s article, we’re going to be going over the top foods that help the body build muscle faster.
Fish
Tilapia is a great food choice due to the amount of protein you’re getting at a pretty low price. However, salmon is by far the best option when it comes to fish. Rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and protein, it also provides many micro-nutrients like Vitamin D and Vitamin B12.
Chicken
It’s a common food among bodybuilders and there’s a reason for that. Chicken can be relatively low in price and provide a great source of protein at the same time. Mix it with BBQ sauce and you can have a really tasty meal!
Beef
For this food choice, pay attention to the quality of beef you are getting. Go for a leaner option with less fat to build muscle. Yes, it may cost a little more than the fatty beef but it is well worth the investment.
For more foods you should incorporate into your diet, please visit Matthew Mann’s website here.
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The Best Golf Courses To Visit In The Northeast
For golfers on the East Coast, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a round. Here is a look at some of the top golf resorts in the Northeast.
Omni Mount Washington Resort
The Mount Washington Course has been around for over a century. The course was built by Donald Ross, and recently renovated by Brian Silva. The Omni Mount Washington resort offers 9 hole and 18 hole golf courses. The Par 72 7,000 yard course has hosted multiple tournaments, including The New Hampshire Open and New England Open Championship. The Mount Washington Course offers great views of Omni Mount Washington Hotel and the surrounding areas. The Mount Washington Course has been honored by Golfweek. There are multiple golf and lunch specials throughout the year.
Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club
The Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club has hosted a number of famous athletes, musicians, and presidents. The Pines Course hosted the 1942 PGA Championship. The 18 hole Pines Course covers close to 7,000 yards of land. The Turtle Course is famously named after the Diamondback Terrapins that are frequent visitors during the summer months. The 9 hole course has sloping holes that will present an interesting challenge. The Bay Course is an 18 hole links course that has constantly been impacted by the winds blowing from the Atlantic Ocean.
For more golf courses that you should visit, check out the rest of Matthew Mann’s blog here.
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Vocational jobs are those that do not require a four-year degree period certification. They may require a license depending on the field. Sometimes they learn the trade on the job. In the face of improving automated and forecasts of a huge reduction in employment, blue-collar tasks are becoming electronic. The release of technological innovations is flipping on its head as data becomes available to allow individuals to know what their health status is in each moment, and guide action accordingly. The case in today’s manufacturing industry is that technology can be used to enhance production process. Below are a few of these technological products that have helped in this industry.
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Aspiring #teachers and #education administrators often have a difficult time choosing the right #college or #university to earn their degrees. Below is a list of some of the top-ranked colleges and universities offering these degrees as ranked by the U.S. News and World Report in 2017.
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Schools’ In: How Vocational Education is Improving in 2017
This blog was originally posted on Matthew Mann’s website here.
With students heading back to school, it’s a great time to read the news as an educator. New developments in education and career options are usually rolled out at the start of the school year, as well as highlights from what’s working in the education sphere — and what isn’t. Below are three states that are changing the way education is being structured in West Virginia, New Jersey and Arkansas.
In West Virginia
“Seeing Hope for Flagging Economy, West Virginia Revamps Vocational Track” via The New York Times
In the heart of the United States’ rust belt lies West Virginia, a state typically known for its barren mountain landscape, poverty-stricken towns and the opioid crisis. As a state with such a bad reputation, what are schools to do with its children and the future of their economy?
Enter four high school teachers who are about to change the education sphere for students in West Virginia. Over the summer, these teachers attended a simulated-workplace summer training program at Marshall University that will help pave the way to a successful future for students. What’s a simulated-workplace, you may ask?
In this format of vocational schooling, students punch in and out of school, like a time clock you would see in a workplace. In addition, students are assigned professional roles in industries commonly seen in West Virginia, such as coal, health and fracking, and they’re given vacation days to use at their leisure!
In New Jersey
“Lawmakers call for major expansion of N.J.’s vo-tech schools” via NJ.com
According to some vocational schools in New Jersey, demand for enrollment is high but unfortunately, they have to turn away students. In an effort to bring their technical schools into the 21st century and beyond, schools are using their cash to make improvements to the curriculum.
Although this sounds like it could be a negative issue, it’s probably better for the long run. Not only does the state want to make sure students are fully equipped with the skills they need, but they want to train more students to work in manufacturing and bio-tech — two fields that are expected to grow in the future.
In Arkansas
“Ark. Students Get Early Start on Career Planning” via EdWeek
At the conclusion of the last school year, 8th grade students at Wynne Junior High School participated in a “job shadow” day. Students were scattered all over town, shadowing veterinarians, doctors, farmers, police officers and more.
The state of Arkansas is hoping that giving kids this opportunity early in their education will encourage them to make better and clearer decisions about their future career path. Not only do schools organize job shadow days, but the state has college and career coaches on hand to some of their middle and high schools. These coaches work with students to craft college and career plans that will empower them to make more informed decisions about their future.
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The Difference Between Iron Clubs
You’ve heard of putter golf clubs and you’ve heard of wedges. But when it comes to using iron clubs on the golf course, choosing the right one for you and your particular shot can be a challenging task for beginner golfers because there are a few factors to consider when choosing the right iron. With so many different iron clubs, how can you tell the difference and why are they used?
To explain what iron clubs are, they are made of metal and are thin from front to back. The front of the club is grooved to help grip the ball, as well as to put a spin on it when you follow through on your golf swing. Iron clubs are to be used when your golf ball is still on the fairway and less than 200 yards away from the green. However, the number iron you use will depend on exactly how close to the green you are.
Numbered 1 through 9 on the sole of each club, different numbered irons can help a golfer get the ball to travel farther, higher, or have a steeper trajectory. Essentially the farther away you are from the green, the lower number of iron you should use and the closer you are to the green, the higher number of iron you should use to successfully take your shot.
To read the rest of this blog, visit Matthew Mann’s website here.
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