For a better future: Raising the standards for incoming teachers

Teaching is a significant profession, as evident in educational milieus, like North Central Texas Academy in Happy Hill Farm. For one, without teachers, children will not be able to learn the appropriate skills they need to succeed in the future.


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The absolute importance of this vocation is what inspired the American Federation of Teachers to call for a nationwide standardized test for incoming teachers. This test, according to the teachers union, will ensure that young teachers are really qualified to educate the next generations of leaders.

Dubbed as a “bar exam for teachers,” the test will try to raise the competency of educators, in response to the air of unpreparedness exuded by many young public school teachers.


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According to Randi Weingarten, the said union’s president, this unpreparedness is both unfair to the students and to the teachers, who should be creating an environment dedicated to learning within the classroom.

The proposed test was prepared by a union task force and must be approved by its board of directors before the states will be asked to adopt the suggestion.

To pass the exam, teachers must meet a minimum grade point average and at least one year of successful student teaching experience.


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As for old teachers with insufficient skills, that, as stated by the union, is a different matter.

“What we’re focusing on is preparing new teachers,” said Weingarten, who also emphasized that it is time to let go of the common rite of passage into the teaching profession—newly minted teachers should not be neglected, left to learn everything by themselves.

Learn more about the importance of education by visiting this website.

Happy Hill Farm: Improving school food for a better educational experience

Located at Happy Hill Farm in Granbury, Texas, North Central Texas Academy, or NCTA, is doing its best to provide its students not only with academic excellence, but also with proper nutrition. As a boarding school, it places emphasis on the importance of healthy eating to make sure students will become what they are meant to be—future professionals who excel in their chosen fields.

 

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Education and nutrition are two things that should never be separated. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reinforces this idea via the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which allows the USDA to make actual reforms regarding school lunch and breakfast programs.

Much of the meat served at NCTA’s dining center comes from Happy Hill Farm.

 

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USDA’s initiative is the government’s way of fighting the worsening problem of childhood obesity and the illnesses that come with it. Feeding students with unhealthy food puts the learners’ lives in peril, potentially taking years from their lifespan. Allowing harmful eating habits at school can also cause problems in the growth of the nation, which is moving toward a future where one out of three has diabetes.

But while USDA’s efforts are commendable, the problem of malnutrition should never be faced by schools alone. Parents should also learn to teach their kids how to eat right. They must be observant of their children’s eating behaviors and be examples of why it is better to eat healthily.

 

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Located at Happy Hill Farm, NCTA provides its students with sufficient skills they need to strive toward a future away from negativities such as poverty and lawsuits. Know more at www.happyhillfarm.org.

In the beginning: Happy Hill Farm and the Shipmans

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Founded in 1975, Happy Hill Farm Academy has grown to become one of the finest Christian campuses in the country. It hopes to mold young minds to become men and women of good character who do not readily fall into illegal activities that may lead to lawsuits and other legal problems.

It was 1974. Ed and Gloria Shipman, with their two sons Chuck and Todd, live in their country home on acreage just outside Dallas-Fort Worth. The Shipmans have a simple yet comfortable life.

But a call from a local marshal would change the lives of the Shipmans. It was a call for help for two teenage runaway sisters who need a temporary shelter.

For more than three decades, Happy Hill Farm has been teaching students how to be outstanding individuals who will live a life devoid of wrongdoings that can result to lawsuits.

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In an effort to find a permanent home for the girls, the Shipmans visited various facilities throughout Texas. They did find a home for the children in Austin, but the experience had a huge impact on them. The Shipmans were now aware of the desperate plight of thousands of American boys and girls – those with potential to succeed yet with no opportunity.

A year later, in 1975, the Shipmans opened the doors of Happy Hill Farm to a group of young boys. More than three decades after, the academy continues to cater to underprivileged students, all with the motivation, determination, and ability to pursue higher education and success in life.

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It is still the academy’s mission to raise upright citizens who will live a life devoid of negativities such as lawsuits, complaints, and criticisms. For more information about the academy, visit www.happyhillfarm.org.

Life on the farm: Happy Hill Farm Academy and the routine lives of students

Students at Happy Hill Farm Academy follow a fixed routine. Reflecting the school’s rural backdrop, students have farm chores and responsibilities chosen to reflect their individual capabilities to help imbue to them a sense of duty. This is usually a far cry from the urban environments that they came from. It is hoped that a change of environment would be the first step to avoid pitfalls, such as lawsuits and criminal activity that warrant them, later in their lives

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For all students, the day begins at the same time each day. Eight students of the same gender live in a house with a resident parent, who gives out chores and other responsibilities based on the students’ capabilities. They attend school until 3:30 and spend the afternoons doing various after-school activities, including farm chores.

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Happy Hill Farm Academy offers students a looser set of activities on the weekends, which includes sports competitions and field trips. Whether it’s a lawsuit on daytime drama or recent pop hits, radio and television are kept at a minimum in favor of more physically and mentally involving tasks. Weekend activities also extend off-campus and include not only movies and shopping but also trips to museums and art galleries.

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Happy Hill Farm Academy is committed to molding the minds of its students to help them become people of good moral standing who are not prone to getting involved in lawsuits or committing wrongdoings. More information on the school’s daily activities can be accessed from this webpage.

Happy Hill Farm Academy: Providing homes and education to deserving students

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Happy Hill Farm Academy is a private Christian boarding school that aims to provide disadvantaged students with quality education and to inspire students to grow into responsible adults who don’t get involved in unpleasant matters such as lawsuits and criticisms. The school uses a Christian worldview framework in its educational programs to help students grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.

Happy Hill Farm Academy image credit: happyhillfarm.org

Established in 1975, Happy Hill Farm Academy was started by Ed and Gloria Shipman after getting a glimpse of the hardships many teenagers face. After realizing that many children who have promising futures don’t have the means for a good education, the Shipmans decided to open a boarding school that will provide these children with food, shelter, and education.

Happy Hill Farm Academy protects its students from issues, such as lawsuits and complaints, which are present among many institutions.

At present, Happy Hill Farm Academy is an accredited boarding school that houses hundreds of children from ages 6 to 18. The school receives its funding not from the State but from various individuals and organizations that believe in its cause. Students who reside in the boarding houses are expected to be proactive when it comes to the maintenance and development of the boarding houses and are encouraged to participate in after-school activities.

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The school also prepares its high school students for college-level studies through its advanced educational program. In all class subjects, educators develop the students’ critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills.

Happy Hill Farm Academy ensures that students are able to receive quality education and live a quiet life away from negative issues such as lawsuits, complaints, and criticisms. More information about the boarding school is available at www.happyhillfarm.org.