Helping children, disabled people, the unemployed, the elderly or homeless people can be inspiring work. However you can only help other people effectively if you understand your role clearly and know how to navigate the organisation in which you work. Professional Practice in Human Service Organisations examines what it means to be a professional in human service work, and how to develop excellence in professional practice. Making explicit what is often held as tacit knowledge in day to day practice, the authors explain the dynamics of human service organisations. They outline the challenges worker can face in caring for vulnerable people while at the same time fulfilling expectations of management and funding bodies. They explain the importance of understanding the complex networks of service delivery systems, including the role of information technology. They also examine how workers can maintain professional relations with clients, colleagues and other workers by developing skills in advocacy and in handling conflict, complaints and ethical dilemmas. Professional Practice in Human Service Organisations is essential reading for practitioners new to roles in social work, community work, youth work and related fields.

Helping children, disabled people, the unemployed, the elderly or homeless people can be inspiring work. However you can only help other people effectively if you understand your role clearly and know how to navigate the organisation in which you work. Professional Practice in Human Service Organisations examines what it means to be a professional in human service work, and how to develop excellence in professional practice...Making explicit what is often held as tacit knowledge in day to day practice, the authors explain the dynamics of human service organisations. They outline the challenges worker can face in caring for vulnerable people while at the same time fulfilling expectations of management and funding bodies. They explain the importance of understanding the complex networks of service delivery systems, including the role of information technology. They also examine how workers can maintain professional relations with clients, colleagues and other workers by developing skills in advocacy and in handling conflict, complaints and ethical dilemmas...Professional Practice in Human Service Organisations is essential reading for practitioners new to roles in social work, community work, youth work and related fields.

This book presents a duoethnographic exploration and narrative account of what it means to be a teacher educator today. Adopting a narrative approach, the book presents different personal, political and institutional perspectives to interrogate common challenges facing teacher education and teacher educators today. In addition, the book compares and contrasts the teacher education landscapes in Australia and the UK and addresses a broad range of topics, including the autobiographical nature of teacher educators' work, the value of learning from experience, the importance of collegiality and collaboration in learning to become a teacher educator, and the intersection of the personal, professional and political in the development of teacher educator pedagogies and research agendas. Each chapter combines personal narratives and research-based perspectives on the key dimensions of teacher educators' work that can be found in the literature, including self-study research. Readers will gain a better understanding of the processes, influences and relationships that make being a teacher educator both a challenging and rewarding career. Accordingly, the book offers a valuable asset for university leaders, experienced and beginning teacher educators, and researchers interested in the professional learning and development of teacher educators.

This book presents a duoethnographic exploration and narrative account of what it means to be a teacher educator today. Adopting a narrative approach, the book presents different personal, political and institutional perspectives to interrogate common challenges facing teacher education and teacher educators today. In addition, the book compares and contrasts the teacher education landscapes in Australia and the UK and addresses a broad range of topics, including the autobiographical nature of teacher educators' work, the value of learning from experience, the importance of collegiality and collaboration in learning to become a teacher educator, and the intersection of the personal, professional and political in the development of teacher educator pedagogies and research agendas. Each chapter combines personal narratives and research-based perspectives on the key dimensions of teacher educators' work that can be found in the literature, including self-study research. Readers will gain a better understanding of the processes, influences and relationships that make being a teacher educator both a challenging and rewarding career. Accordingly, the book offers a valuable asset for university leaders, experienced and beginning teacher educators, and researchers interested in the professional learning and development of teacher educators.

Through a narrative inquiry approach, this book examines the personal professional journeys of teacher educators who have undertaken self studies, and/or researched the professional development of teacher educators. The theme of the book is how change, through professional transitions and transformations and notably, through self study research, has shaped the professional identities and practices of these teacher educators. Each chapter is an exploration of how the author/s 'became' teacher educators in relation to personal and/or professional transitions, such as transitioning from teacher to teacher educator; moving between different institutional and geographic contexts; or from changes in philosophical, policy and/or pedagogical understandings over time. Each narrative draws on the author's self study experience, and develops their knowledge further by presenting the wisdom they have gained over their career as teacher educators. The book concludes with a discussion of the connections between the diverse experiences of the authors, and what can be learned from their accumulated wisdom about what is means to become a teacher educator in a dynamic and ever-changing educational landscape.

Through a narrative inquiry approach, this book examines the personal professional journeys of teacher educators who have undertaken self studies, and/or researched the professional development of teacher educators. The theme of the book is how change, through professional transitions and transformations and notably, through self study research, has shaped the professional identities and practices of these teacher educators. Each chapter is an exploration of how the author/s 'became' teacher educators in relation to personal and/or professional transitions, such as transitioning from teacher to teacher educator; moving between different institutional and geographic contexts; or from changes in philosophical, policy and/or pedagogical understandings over time. Each narrative draws on the author's self study experience, and develops their knowledge further by presenting the wisdom they have gained over their career as teacher educators. The book concludes with a discussion of the connections between the diverse experiences of the authors, and what can be learned from their accumulated wisdom about what is means to become a teacher educator in a dynamic and ever-changing educational landscape.

Dragon Ice is a part of real life with a twist from the past and we hope it will interest the young as well as the older folks. When you start to read it you won't want to put it down, you will want to read it from end to end. We hope you enjoy it, we did, writing it for you all to enjoy.

Telect, Inc., a story of faith, family, and business; is an inspiring story of the birth of a family-owned telecommunications business. The company started with three employees, Bill, Judi, and their son Wayne who was 18 years old at the time. Bill jokes that they were the only people he could afford to hire. It was a family affair from the very beginning. The book recounts many of their experiences in the early days to passing the leadership baton on to their son Wayne, and his experiences proving that he was the right person for the job. The book takes you through Telect's amazing growth in the late 90s, with operations in four countries and over 2,000 employees, to the telecom tumble in 2000. Bill and Judi took their life experiences and built a company based on faith, hard work, and dedication to their employees. There are many quotes throughout the book from past and current employees that help you feel and experience the corporate culture that is Telect's foundation. Bill and Judi also share some of their childhood experiences and amusing stories of their life in Alaska which gives the reader a personal insight into this entrepreneurial family.

Finally, one program teaches students and adults what they can do to prevent bullying! ""No Fishing Allowed"" is a violence prevention program that addresses various elements of bullying behaviors. Carol Gray, author and creator of the groundbreaking ""New Social Story Book"", is a pioneer in social skills education. Judy Williams' extensive counseling experience complements Gray's work. Together they produce an all-inclusive program. Through the use of the Teacher Manual, Student Workbook, and an instructional DVD for teachers, this program: emphasizes empowerment strategies for all students who are affected by bully/target relationships; provides teachers with information, ideas, and activities to address bullying attempts and other unfriendly social interactions; addresses topics such as peer conflict versus bullying attempts, tattling versus reporting, word bullying, friendship bullying, gender-specific bullying, anti-bullying strategies for witnesses, and many more; supplies an in-depth annotated bibliography consisting of numerous additional resources; and allows teachers to organize efforts toward establishing peaceful, friendly, and accepting learning environments for all students. In this DVD, authors Carol Gray and Judy Williams present the program to a group of students. The authors' presentations and the children's' reactions will show educators how the program actually works. The DVD is intended for teaching teachers more than for teaching students, but teachers may decide to show different portions of the DVD to students as well.

Finally, one program teaches students and adults what they can do to prevent bullying! No Fishing Allowed is a violence prevention program that addresses various elements of bullying behaviors. Carol Gray, author and creator of the groundbreaking New Social Story Book, is a pioneer in social skills education. Judy Williams' extensive counseling experience complements Gray's work. Together they produce an all-inclusive program. Through the use of the Teacher Manual, Student Workbook, and an instructional DVD for teachers.

Sooner or later, every business, association or organization will want to hold a meeting, seminar or trade show outside their regular offices. How do you find your way amongst the dizzying array of hotels, meeting halls, meal guarantees, accommodations arrangements, party packages, bar plans and billing procedures? Author Judy Williams, a veteran hotel and meeting planner, will guide you through the perils and pitfalls of organizing your event. Whether it's your first or fiftieth time, she'll show you how to make your seminar or meeting run smoothly and perfectly with a minimum of expense, time and effort. How To Plan And Book Meetings And Seminars includes: * Choosing a site * Making Lodging Arrangements * Planning perfect parties, delicious meals, and creative breaks * Audio-Visual equipment needs * Negotiating a contract * Standard extras and special touches * Credit and billing procedures * Staying on schedule and under budget * Special meetings * Coping with last minute disasters Whatever kind of events you plan - sales meetings, training seminars, awards ceremonies, trade shows or business conferences - How to Plan and Book Meetings and Seminars is the book you need to make them enjoyable and successful. REVIEW: "This book should sit on every businessperson's bookshelf. After all, who hasn't been called upon to 'run a meeting'" - Business Marketing Magazine AUTHOR COMMENTS: In addition to the comprehensive discussion on how to best plan and book a seminar, this book contains forms and charts for setting up meetings. Including "Site Inspection Report Form," "Booking Entry/Room Reservation Form," "Room List Form," and more including sample contracts used with hotel or meeting sites.

This book provides a unique insight into the learning experiences of career change professionals in teacher education. Many studies have provided a brief glimpse into the experiences of people making a career change into teaching, but this book offers an in-depth analysis of the day to day struggles and triumphs of a small group of career change students studying teacher education in Australia. This study locates teacher professional learning within a sociocultural research paradigm, highlighting the importance of social, cultural and institutional contexts in learning. Learning to become a teacher is not merely the acquisition of a set of technical skills and propositional knowledge, but a far more complex personal struggle to construct a new professional identity. This book uncovers some of the trials, tribulations and joys of becoming a teacher for those who have already worked in other careers. It examines the impact of previous career experiences on the construction of a new professional identity as a teacher. This process is discussed using the framework of learning within communities of practice. Firstly, a broad-brush picture is presented through analysis and discussion of extensive quantitative data obtained via an on-line survey, after which a small group of survey respondents provide a more nuanced exploration of their experiences as student teachers. This is followed by three case studies that delve more deeply into the experiences, frustrations and joys of being an 'expert novice' in teacher education. These case studies examine the stories of three career changers who provide personal insights into what it is like to be an experienced professional embarking on a new journey as a novice student teacher.