25 Things Every Teacher Wants From Their Stakeholders

25 Things Every Teacher Wants From Their Stakeholders Teachers often make do with what they have and are happy with any credit they receive. They are not teachers because of the money or the glory. They simply want to be known as difference makers. Their jobs are not easy, but there are many things that others can do to make their jobs easier. Teachers want several things from their students, parents, administration, other teachers, and the local community. Many of these things are easy to comply with, yet stakeholders often fail to fulfill these simple requests that could make each teacher tremendously better than they are. So what do teachers want? They want something different from each of the stakeholder groups that they deal with on a daily basis.  These are basic and simple requests that when unfilled frustrates teachers, limits effectiveness, and keeps them from maximizing student potential. Here, we examine twenty-five things that teachers want that would boost student learning and improve teacher effectiveness significantly across all classrooms. What Do Teachers Want..........From Students? Teachers want students to come to class each day ready to learn. They want them to come prepared, focused, and motivated. They want students to enjoy the learning process and to be active participants in the learning process.Teachers want students to be respectful. They want students to respect their authority. They want students to respect each other. They want students to respect themselves. A respectful and trusting environment allows teachers to maximize learning opportunities each day.Teachers want students to understand that the concepts they are teaching them are meaningful. They want their students to make real-life connections. They want their students to see the big picture and to understand that they truly are there because they want to make a difference.Teachers want students to be critical thinkers. They want students who desire to understand the process of finding the answer as much as the answer itself. They want students who are not lazy and are as invested in learnin g as the teacher is in teaching. Teachers want students to recognize individual strengths and weaknesses. They want students to apply their strengths so that others in the class can learn from them. They want students to be aware of their weaknesses and to make a continuous effort to improve upon those weaknesses. What Do Teachers Want..........From Parents? Teachers want parents to understand that they genuinely have their child’s best interest in mind. They want parents to understand that they are not out to get their child. They want parents to see them as the educational expert that can provide their child with a quality education.Teachers want parents to communicate their concerns appropriately. Teachers do not want parents to avoid or skirt around an issue. They want an open, trusting relationship with parents so they can figure out the best approach for teaching the student together.Teachers want parents to support them. They want parents to take them at their word and not to question their motives. They want parents to support and reinforce classroom management strategies which they have in place. They want parents who will volunteer to help out in any area help may be needed.Teachers want parents to be involved with their child’s education. They want parents to take an active role in the education of their child. T hey want parents who will ensure that all homework gets done and that the child is getting plenty of rest so that they will be alert in class each day. Teachers want parents to value education. They want parents to stress the importance of education from an early age. They want parents to read with their children each night, to help with homework, and to challenge them academically. What Do Teachers Want..........From the Administration? Teachers want administrators to have their back in difficult situations. This includes student discipline, disagreements with parents, or confrontation with another faculty member. Teachers want to feel like their administrator(s) will listen to their side and back them if the evidence supports them.Teachers want administrators to provide them with adequate resources. Teachers understand that money can be tight for schools, but there are certain resources that they must have. If a teacher finds a resource that they believe will benefit all students, then they expect the administration to find a way to fund it.Teachers want administrators to provide encouragement and advice. Most teachers appreciate honest, accurate evaluations. They want to be encouraged when things get difficult and often need advice in those situations.Teachers want administrators to understand what they are doing in their classrooms entirely. This is true, especially for great teachers. They want their administrat or(s) to know what they are doing in their classroom because they are proud of it. Teachers want administrators to communicate clear expectations. They want to understand school policy and procedures that affect themselves. Teachers want administrators to clarify and explain the district’s expectations with issues such as classroom management, student learning, and communication. What Do Teachers Want..........From Other Teachers? Teachers want other teachers to be professional. They do not expect other teachers to talk about them with their students, a parent, or another faculty member. They expect other teachers to value their opinion. They expect other teachers to adhere to the policies of the district.Teachers want other teachers to collaborate. They value other teachers’ opinions. They want them to share best practices and offer advice. They want a strong working relationship with other teachers in which they feel comfortable to share frustrations and success stories.Teachers want other teachers to be supportive. They want to know that other teachers believe that they are doing a terrific job. They want to know that their peers believe they are an effective teacher who does a solid job in preparing their students.Teachers want other teachers to be unified. They want other teachers to have the same general philosophy of educating students. They want to build relationships with other teachers that go beyond the walls of the school. Teachers want other teachers to respect differences. They want other teachers to understand that there is no one way to teach. They want them to understand that education would be boring if every teacher was the same. They want other teachers to steal brilliant ideas being used in their classroom and to apply it to their own. What Do Teachers Want..........From Community Members? Teachers want community members to get involved. They want them to volunteer to help in classrooms, read a book to students, or help with a fundraiser. They want them to donate money to projects that they are doing. They want them to offer their services in any capacity that they would be able to help.Teachers want community members to share their mission and vision. They want them to pass bond issues. They want them to sit on school committees to gain their perspective and insight. They want them to take ownership of what the school is doing.Teachers want community members to understand the value of education. They want them to externalize the importance of a good education. They want education to be a high priority in their community. They want them to understand that the education the school is providing will have a significant impact on their future.Teachers want community members to be proud of their school. They want them to know that they have excellent teachers. They want the m to be proud of the facilities. They want them to celebrate in student achievements in academics, athletics, and other extracurricular activities. Teachers want community members to stay involved. They do not want community members to disappear once their children are no longer in school. They want them to stay involved in the process. They believe that there is power in continuity.

How to Use and Conjugate Plurals of German Nouns

How to Use and Conjugate Plurals of German Nouns In English, its simple: just add an -s or -es to form the plural of a noun. In German, however, it is a little more complex. Not only do you have to deal with changing everything that precedes a noun when you pluralize it, but now you are faced with at least five choices to change the noun into! But do not despair, you can either a) memorize the plural of a noun or b) follow the guidelines for the five main groups of plural formation, which we have listed below. We suggest you do both. In time and with a little practice, youll be able to get the natural feel for noun plural formation. The Different Plural Nouns The main groups of plural noun formation are as follows: Plural Nouns With -E Endings: Most German nouns that consist of one syllable will add -e to form plurals in all grammatical cases. EXCEPTION: in the dative -en is used. Some nouns will also have umlaut changes. Plural Nouns With -ER Endings: Nouns in this group add –er when plural (-ern in the dative case) and are always either masculine or neuter. There may be some umlaut changes. Plural Nouns With -N/EN Endings: These nouns add either –n or –en to form the plural in all four cases. They are mostly feminine and have no umlaut changes. Plural Nouns With -S Endings: Similar to English, these nouns add an –s in plural form. They are mostly of foreign origin and have therefore no umlaut changes. Plural Nouns With No End Changes: Nouns in this group do not change their word endings in the plural, except for in the dative case where -n is added. There might be some umlaut changes. Most nouns in this group are either neuter or masculine and usually contain one of the following endings: -chen, -lein, -el, -en or -er.

Bring Tare To Justice Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Bring Tare To Justice - Case Study Example In October 2007, a winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature donated her money for a campaign that holds Boney Tare accountable for the Anglo-Mesopotistani War in the criminal and civil courts of England. The Lobby started a campaign with the slogan, 'Bring Tare to Justice'. The lobby has approached for advice on the advantages and disadvantages of suing Boney Tare in Civil Courts for Torts of Trespass against Tare in person and against Misfeasance in Public Office. There are thus two ways that justice could be brought against Tare - that is, against Tare as a person and against Misfeasance in Public Office. The potential claimants at the Lobby who can help sue Tare are Omar, who has been interned by the British Army for the last four years in its Detention Facility in Mespotistan, Ali, who was the victim of torture by two British soldiers who were subsequently court-martialled for their acts. Doris, a UK citizen who has never been to Mespotistan, but who is strongly of the opinion Tare should pay exemplary damages to those he has trespassed against. Fatima, whose husband died in the March 2003 bombing raids. Considering an answer to these questions would be the best method to understand the ways in which any legal proceedings could be brought against Boney Tare both on the basis that he has wronged in person and that there has also been Misfeasance in Public Office. After considering the four potential claimants who can help sue and testify against, it can also be decided as to who would be better suited to testify against Tare. For law dealing with the Trespass against the Person, the first issue is whether the English Courts have jurisdiction over a decision taken in England to commit false imprisonments in Mespotistan. Boney Tare can be sued on the basis of Tort or for committing legal wrong of Trespass and Misfeasance. Tort is a branch of Civil law and although similar to criminal law Tort is a case between private parties so in this case, under Tort a case can be brought up against Tare as an individual and Omar who was at the detention facility in Mespotistan or Ali who was a victim of Torture could bring up the case against Tare. The court might order to pay damages to Ali or Omar or stop the wrongful activity (in this case, the invasion and war in Mespotistan). The bilateral aspect of Tort law allows victims to sue the injurers directly without blaming the state and this provision can allow

Foreign Enterprise Manage the JV Company with State Owned Background Dissertation

Foreign Enterprise Manage the JV Company with State Owned Background -Veolia Water's Business Model in China for its Long Term - Dissertation Example The measures thus adopted by the joint venture entity of Veolia Water for the better performance of the company so as to fulfil the demand for water in China. The business model of Veolia water over the span of five years starting from 2002 to 2007 especially has been a remarkable one. This has led to the success of the parent organisations with respect to the operations carried out by Veolia Water in China. The performance of the company is a matter of great concern for it. This has resulted in the company adaption to the Competence Based Training of the employees, where the requirement of the employees will be first assessed and thereafter training will be provided in the area concerned. In order to detect more parameters in water the company has invested in the high-end technologies which in the long-run will benefit the company in providing adequate water supply in the country of China. The economic situation of China has attracted a lot of joint ventures and foreign investments to take place in the country. Through joint venture with the foreign enterprise the country has benefitted by financial capital being invested in the country. The job opportunities over the year have also increased to a great extent. Through this case study we can observe that Veolia Water has been successful enough in creating value by setting up of joint ventures in emerging economy like China. The company takes initiative in controlling the cost and the capital expenditure of the company along with the adoption of the sustainable value appropriation policies. This has helped Veolia to effectively design and implement the international joint venture strategies in emerging economy like China. The management of Veolia Water developed against the international joint venture in China led to the emphasis on the cross cultural management whereby the company had to respect the values of the local authority and the culture of its place of operation. So as to keep pace with the cross cultu re the company has implemented effective human resource management for the company which helps the company keep pace with the changing external requirements for the company. The joint venture has also benefitted Veolia Water in terms of availing cheap labour and the already available natural resources. With Veolia Water entering the market of China, the country gained in terms of diversified capital investment with the unprecedented opportunity to observe the nature of the competitive strategies in the form of joint venture. Thus studying the advantages and the disadvantages of Veolia Water in the economy of China we can make a comparative analysis of its effects on the strategies of joint venture thus adopted by the company. Table of Contents Abstract 2 1. Introduction 6 1.1 Background of the Study 6 1.2 Aim and Objective of the Study 7 1.3 Research Questions 9 1.4 Significance of the Study 9 1.5 Research Structure 10 2. Literature Review 15 2.1 International Joint Ventures 15 2.2 Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures 16 2.2.1 Legal and Operational Issues in context of Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures 19 2.3 Influence of Chinese culture on Chinese-Foreign Joint Ventures 23 2.4 Evaluation of Joint Venture Performance 25 2.5 Measures of Performance 28 2.6 Synopsis of Measures in Prior Joint Venture Performance Studies 30 2.7 Summary 32 3. Research Methodology 33 3.2 Introduction 33 3.2 Research Methods 34 3.3 Data Analysis Strategy 37 3.4 Research

The Difficuly Finding the Meaning of Life Essay Example for Free

The Difficuly Finding the Meaning of Life Essay A sense of meaning is needed in humans or else we become discouraged and lost and can even end up looking for meaning in harmful ways. People who cannot find in meaning in their life are susceptible to cults and manipulation from others as well as depression. In J. D. Salinger’s novel the catcher in the Rye, The main character (Holden) is having difficulty finding the meaning of life. Everyone is bound to spend some time in their life searching for meaning. Holden does not make an effort to do well in school nor does he make an effort to fit in with others. He looks at others as phonies merely trying to imitate each other and questions all social norms that are pressured upon him. Today is no different from Holden’s time when it comes to finding the meaning of life; the media often suggests that the meaning of life is seeking pleasures such as sex, drugs and money, Parents drive the children to focus on their education and their worth in society. Holden does not pursue sexual conquests as a youth and resents most girls around him because of their large need to conform. This is uncommon for someone Holden’s age and causes him to stand out from those around him. He does not appear to be content with his life and does not have a strong peer group to support him. Holden disappoints his parents, teachers, and many other mentor figures throughout his youth. I also have questioned the value of education and whether or not spending a third of my life preparing for work, a third of my life working and a third of my life retired is really the most fulfilling plan in life. One reason I believe Holden is having a hard time finding meaning in life is that he starts off without any role models. He does not idolize his brother and resents his parents. I also have found choosing role models in life to be a difficult decision. Because Holden focuses so strongly on people’s negative qualities he misses the more beautiful and sought after qualities of their personalities and therefore has a hard time relating to them. This causes Holden to become more or less isolated from those around him. I have often questioned the meaning of life and realized that my idea of a meaningful life is quite different from some of my peers. This moral difference between me and many often stops a more personal relationship from forming. This effect is present throughout Holden’s journey as he feels isolated in the same way from many of his â€Å"Phony† acquaintances.

No Due Process :: essays research papers

Not long ago the Korea Herald published a letter extolling the virtues of American justice as applied in the case of the two American soldiers who drove a military track vehicle over two Korean middle school girls, killing them. In comparing the American and Korean systems of justice, the writer suggested circumspectly that the American system, being more objective due to its emphasis on process, is superior. The premise of the argument was that if the judicial processes developed over time through planning and trial and error are followed, Americans see justice as having been done, without particular regard to the outcome, whereas Koreans first posit that damage has occurred and base their judgment of whether or not justice has been done on whether or not some reparation has been made. While not stated explicitly, the upshot of this is that Americans presume innocence and Koreans presume guilt. I agreed in many ways with the writer’s take on the American system, since it app eared to emphasize the role of the constitution and the rule of law but, having almost no knowledge the Korean legal system, I was skeptical of his conclusions, especially given the letter’s evident nationalist tinges, so it was with interest that I read another writer’s well-written and thoughtful, though overly emotional response which the paper published not long afterward. Now, a few months later, the original, presumably American writer’s letter seems almost laughable in the face American policy. Where is the supposed regard for process, or, if you like, ‘due process’? I, an American (surprise!), have read some things that scare the Orwell out of me. Using a predator drone, the United States military launched a missile that destroyed a carload of terrorists in Afghanistan. Fine. War on terrorism, etc. Maybe, if we try really hard, we can overlook the fact that we, the general public, have no way of knowing whether the people (PEOPLE) in the car were terrorists or wedding party-goers. It turns out, though, that an American citizen was killed in that very same car. In the same article in which I read of this high-tech car bombing, information cited as coming from the Bush administration stated that there was no constitutional issue surrounding the murder of this American. Why not? Because he was an enemy combatant. Therefore, apparently, he was not eligible for, did not deserve, the constitutional protection, the presumption of innocence, guaranteed by the United States Constitution—the same presumption of innocence afforded the American soldiers who ran over two Korean girls on a country road.

Types of Military Leaders

Types of Military Leaders The Military is one of the largest corporations in the United States of America looking for successful leader’s every day. They offer many developmental classes, schools and academies that give you the tools to become a successful leader. Like most jobs there is a pyramid effect of leadership roles. This pyramid role is called a chain of command in the military. Each leadership role is just as important as the one appointed above them and is only as strong as its weakest link.There are several types of leaders that dictate our military; authoritative, hands-on and hands-off. Each type of leader possesses different qualities which make the outcome of their work diverse. Authoritative leaders are born to be a leader. These are leaders who have a natural instinct on how to take control of a group and get the job done. They are the type of person you either love or hate. Authoritative leaders are very meticulous and strict on how they want to accomplish a task. It’s either their way or the highway. This can be very draining on the soldiers that work for them.Authoritative leaders can take two separate approaches in leading their soldiers. They either let the power get to their heads and bark orders killing the moral of the soldiers they work with. The other approach of authoritative leadership is someone who delegates work by asking for help on what needs to be accomplished, making it a much more comfortable environment to work in. These separate approaches can dictate the outcome of the work being performed by their soldiers which can either make or break their leadership role.Hands-on leaders are one of the most effective leaders in the military. These are leaders who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and take initiative in getting the job done. They are leaders who want to lead by example and are not afraid to take the blame if something goes wrong. Hands-on leaders are very well communicator’s, open to su ggestions and look for soldiers input. This allows them to expand not only their own knowledge but also the soldiers around them. They are willing to work with their soldiers on the small things in order to accomplish something larger.This gives them a better understanding of their job and the soldiers they work with. Once a hands-on leader sets the goals and shows the soldiers what they expect, it allows them to take a step back and let their soldiers execute the tasks at hand. Hands-off or laissez-faire leaders are considered the lazy one’s of the group. They typically are the fun leaders to hang out with as a friend but lack leadership as a boss. Hands-off leaders take no guidance of the group and are very passive on work. They tend to pass off jobs and allow the soldiers to dictate how the work is going to be done.This can either set the soldiers up for success or can completely kill the mission. Hand-off leaders are considered the chameleon of the group. They take some o f the credit on a successful task or hide and push the blame onto someone else when the task fails. Hands-off leaders typically try to please everyone to avoid any conflict. This can ultimately hurt a unit by not being able to trust or rely on their leaders. There are many routes a leader can take in leading their soldiers. It is up to the soldier to decide what leader he or she wants to become.Every day the military is looking for someone to step up and take on one of the roles of becoming a leader. The best way to decide on what leader you want to become is to look around and take notes on the qualities your leader’s posses and make a decision on how you want your peers to perceive you. Each leadership role can create a different outcome that can either take you straight to the top for success or damage your chances of becoming a great leader. It is up to you to make the decision on what path you want to take and the leader you would like to become.

Counselor Ethics and Responsibilities Essay

As a counselor we’re taught to put our own values and beliefs aside and provide services to our clients even if our values and beliefs do not coincide. When topics such as abortion and assisted suicide are brought up, I express my personal values about them. Abortion is a very sensitive topic for some individuals. My personal values towards abortion are I am for it and I’m speaking from my own personal experience. As a woman, it’s hard to decide to get an abortion but there are a lot of reasons as to why a woman may get the procedure done. For instance, a 19-year-old rape victim came to me for help because she wants to get an abortion and wants my help changing her parents’ attitude towards her wanting the procedure done. The ethical issue that I would have to consider while trying to consider on how I am going to counsel this client is trying to persuade her parents’ to have the same values and beliefs as her in order for her to have her parent’s blessing to get the abortion. This would be an issue because I have to be aware of her parents’ beliefs and trying to change their beliefs on behalf of my client would be wrong. My personal values towards assisted suicide are different than abortion. It is my belief that an illness should not make you want to take your life. If Eleanor came to me stating that she wants to end her life because of her health condition, I am responsible as a counselor to do my best and make sure she does not cause harm to herself. Even though I am against suicide, it’s my duty to counsel my client in need. The ACA (2005) states that counselors must take measures that enable clients to be given every opportunity possible to engage in informed decision making regarding their end of life care. Moreover, I would consult my supervisor as to how should I go about counseling Eleanor and I would also look into finding the appropriate professional to refer her too that specializes in end-of-life practice. Client Rights The four most important client rights that I believe a counselor has an obligation to protect are confidentiality, informed consent, privacy and cultural sensitivity. The first important client right is confidentiality. It is important that we ensure our clients’ confidentiality because it is our duty to make sure we do not provide any confidential information to another individual without consent from our client or if we have to there is a legal or ethical justification. Informed consent is the second most important client right because it allows clients the right to be informed about their therapy and to make decisions about it. Moreover, it is important to respect your client’s privacy. According to ACA (2005), a counselor should only solicit private information from the client only when the information will be potentially beneficial to the counseling process. Additionally, it is important to be culturally competent because â€Å"everyone is deeply embedded in one or more cultures and subcultures that shape the thinking, feeling, and acting of an individual and if counselors cannot see the ways that culture has shaped them, they are unlikely to be able to see the important and deep-seated ways that culture has shaped their clients (Values, n. . ). † As a counselor, I will incorporate these rights into my professional practice by following the Code of Ethics, consulting a colleague or supervisor and continuing my education to ensure that I am culturally competent. Responsibility to Warn and Protect One factor that will make me consider my â€Å"duty to warn† responsibility as a counselor is if my client has a contagious, life-threatening disease. When clients disclose that they have a disease commonly known to be both communicable and life threatening, counselors may be justified in disclosing information to identifiable third parties, if they are known to be at demonstrable and high risk of contracting the disease. Prior to making a disclosure, counselors confirm that there is such a diagnosis and assess the intent of clients to inform the third parties about their disease or to engage in any behaviors that may be harmful to an identifiable third party (ACA, 2005). Once I confirm that my client does have the communicable and life threatening disease, I would inform the individual that would have the possibility of contracting this disease. Another factor that will make me consider my â€Å"duty to protect† responsibility as a counselor is if my client disclosed to me during a session that they have plans to do harm to another individual. The ethical issues that I would consider while making my decision to ensure the well being of the individual would be if I should notify them of the potential harm or just notify the police. As a counselor, I still have to protect my clients’ confidentiality and my decision to disclose the possibility of harm to the individual would be based on the extent of the threat. Poland and McCormick (1999) stated that â€Å"notifying police is not sufficient action to protect the counselor from a lawsuit if the client’s threat is carried out. † Client Record-Keeping Client record-keeping is related to competent, ethical practice because as a counselor you have to document the clinical assessment and treatment process to ensure that the plan that was set for them is consistent with their diagnosis and assessment information. It is the responsibility of the counselor to make sure they document each time they have contact with their client in detail in order for their supervisor to review and ensure that the clients’ sessions are showing past progress and future outcomes. The components of a clinical record that I believe are most important for protecting the client’s right to a professional standard of care is informed consent to treatment forms, fee agreements, signed client rights statements, treatment plans, and treatment team staffing notes, often signed by clients or parents as well as by professionals. Authorizations to release information provide clients’ written consent to disclose protected information within very specific parameters (Poland & McCormick, 1999). Additionally, the components of a clinical record that are important for protecting the counselor from liability are a thorough assessment, a congruent treatment plan, detailed progress notes consistent with the plan, supervisory notes, billing notes consistent with the services documented, and the client rights documents (Poland & McCormick, 1999). As long as the counselor keeps detailed documentation of each meeting with each client, they will be able to defend themselves against allegations of misconduct. Topic of Choice One ethical issue that I find that will be controversial is confidentiality. This issue is significant for me because if I had a client disclose to me during a session that they had a communicable life threatening disease and they were practicing unsafe behaviors in order to pass the disease along to as many people as possible, I would find it hard to protect their confidentiality. Once I’ve received enough information from my client, I would consult with my supervisor as to what should be my next step. After I consult with my supervisor, I would take the proper steps to confirm that my client does have a communicable life threatening disease and if they do I would inform all possible parties.

International Events-Stem Cells essays

International Events-Stem Cells essays Over the summer months of the year two thousand and one something extraordinary happened. An event that will have such an impact to change lives forever. No soul on earth thought that curing diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinsons would ever be possible, until today. Breakthrough research has determined that it is possible to cure these diseases, but consequently it would destroy the life possessing human embryo. Opinions are numerous when it comes to this controversial episode, some are opposed it and some are in support of the research. It all starts with the question, when does life start? Does life start at the moment on conception? Or does it start when an embryo can be defined as a child in the uterus of a woman with a beating heart. And even people will argue a child becomes a child only when it can survive by its self. The process its self is costly, mainly because the only way to save the disease stricken patient is to take a human embryo that holds life for the f uture. This has been the basis of the most controversial events of the summer. Should the federal money be used to research this new way of curing patients? To briefly explain how the process works, it is rather simply. As embryos grow, numerous molecular pulses direct and instruct cells to make proteins that end up turning into particular cell tissues, such as bone and muscle tissue. The stem cells are extracted from the human embryo to form a line where they can be placed with other cells. If the cells are cultivated and cared for in the proper ways they can be implanted with other damaged cells and regenerate and repair the damaged tissue. Consequently the embryo that supplied the stem cells die. Now attention is focused on weather of not human embryos should be used in scientific research. The question arose, is it ethical to take ones life in order to save anothers? Many think so but others have quickly ...

Biography of Lope de Aguirre, Madman of El Dorado

Biography of Lope de Aguirre, Madman of El Dorado Lope de Aguirre was a Spanish conquistador present during much of the infighting among the Spanish in and around Peru in the mid-sixteenth century. He is best known for his final expedition, the search for El Dorado, on which he mutinied against the leader of the expedition. Once he was in control, he went mad with paranoia, ordering the summary executions of many of his companions. He and his men declared themselves independent from Spain and captured Margarita Island off the coast of Venezuela from colonial authorities. Aguirre was later arrested and executed. Origins of Lope de Aguirre Aguirre was born sometime between 1510 and 1515 (records are poor) in the tiny Basque province of Guipà ºzcoa, in northern Spain on the border with France. By his own account, his parents were not rich but did have some noble blood in them. He was not the eldest brother, which meant that even the modest inheritance of his family would be denied to him. Like many young men, he traveled to the New World in search of fame and fortune, seeking to follow in the footsteps of Hernn Cortà ©s and Francisco Pizarro, men who had overthrown empires and gained vast wealth. Lope de Aguirre in Peru It is thought that Aguirre departed Spain for the New World around 1534. He arrived too late for the vast wealth that accompanied the conquest of the Inca Empire, but just in time to become embroiled in the many violent civil wars that had broken out among the surviving members of Pizarros band. A capable soldier, Aguirre was in high demand by the various factions, although he tended to pick royalist causes. In 1544, he defended the regime of Viceroy Blasco Nà ºÃƒ ±ez Vela, who had been tasked with the implementation of extremely unpopular new laws which provided greater protection for natives. Judge Esquivel and Aguirre In 1551, Aguirre surfaced in Potosà ­, the wealthy mining town in present-day Bolivia. He was arrested for abusing Indians and sentenced by Judge Francisco de Esquivel to a lashing. It is unknown what he did to merit this, as Indians were routinely abused and even murdered and punishment for abusing them was rare. According to legend, Aguirre was so incensed at his sentence that he stalked the judge for the next three years, following him from Lima to Quito o Cusco before finally catching up with him and murdering him in his sleep. The legend says that Aguirre did not have a horse and thus followed the judge on foot the entire time. The Battle of Chuquinga Aguirre spent a few more years participating in more uprisings, serving with both rebels and royalists at different times. He was sentenced to death for the murder of a governor but later pardoned as his services were needed to put down the uprising of Francisco Hernndez Girà ³n. It was about this time that his erratic, violent behavior earned him the nickname Aguirre the Madman. The Hernndez Girà ³n rebellion was put down at the battle of Chuquinga in 1554, and Aguirre was badly wounded: his right foot and leg were crippled and he would walk with a limp for the rest of his life. Aguirre in the 1550s By the late 1550s, Aguirre was a bitter, unstable man. He had fought in countless uprisings and skirmishes and had been badly wounded, but he had nothing to show for it. Close to fifty years old, he was as poor as he had been when he left Spain, and his dreams of glory in the conquest of rich native kingdoms had eluded him. All he had was a daughter, Elvira, whose mother is unknown. He was known as a tough fighting man but had a well-earned reputation for violence and instability. He felt that the Spanish crown had ignored men like him and he was getting desperate. The Search for El Dorado By 1550 or so, much of the New World had been explored, but there were still huge gaps in what was known of the geography of Central and South America. Many believed in the myth of El Dorado, the Golden Man, who was supposedly a king who covered his body with gold dust and who ruled over a fabulously wealthy city. In 1559, the Viceroy of Peru approved an expedition to search for the legendary El Dorado, and about 370 Spanish soldiers and a few hundred Indians were put under the command of young nobleman Pedro de Ursà ºa. Aguirre was allowed to join up and was made a high-level officer based on his experience. Aguirre Takes Over Pedro de Ursà ºa was just the sort of person Aguirre resented. He was ten or fifteen years younger than Aguirre and had important family connections. Ursà ºa had brought along his mistress, a privilege denied to the men. Ursà ºa had some fighting experience in the Civil Wars, but not nearly as much as Aguirre. The expedition set out and began exploring the Amazon and other rivers in the dense rainforests of eastern South America. The endeavor was a fiasco from the start. There were no wealthy cities to be found, only hostile natives, disease and not much food. Before long, Aguirre was the informal leader of a group of men who wanted to return to Peru. Aguirre forced the issue and the men murdered Ursà ºa. Fernando de Guzmn, a puppet of Aguirre, was put in command of the expedition. Independence From Spain His command complete, Aguirre did a most remarkable thing: he and his men declared themselves  the new Kingdom of Peru, independent from Spain. He named Guzmn Prince of Peru and Chile. Aguirre, however, became increasingly paranoid. He ordered the death of the priest that had accompanied the expedition, followed by Inà ©s de Atienza (Ursà ºas lover) and then even Guzmn. He eventually would order the execution of every member of the expedition with any noble blood whatsoever. He hatched a mad plan: he and his men would head to the coast, and find their way to Panama, which they would attack and capture. From there, they would strike out at Lima and claim their Empire. Isla Margarita The first part of Aguirres plan went fairly well, especially considering it was devised by a madman and carried out by a ragged bunch of half-starved conquistadores. They made their way to the coast by following the  Orinoco  River. When they arrived, they were able to mount an assault on the small Spanish settlement at Isla Margarita and capture it. He ordered the death of the governor and as many as fifty locals, including women. His men looted the small settlement. They then went to the mainland, where they landed at Burburata before going to Valencia: both towns had been evacuated. It was In Valencia that Aguirre composed his famous letter to Spanish King Philip II. Aguirres Letter to Philip II In July of 1561, Lope de Aguirre sent a formal letter to the King of Spain explaining his reasons for declaring independence. He felt betrayed by the King. After many hard years  of  service to the crown, he had nothing to show for it, and he also mentions having seen many loyal men executed for false crimes. He singled out judges, priests and colonial bureaucrats for special scorn. The overall tone is that of a loyal subject who had been driven to rebel by royal indifference. Aguirres paranoia is evident even in this letter. Upon reading recent dispatches from Spain concerning the counter-Reformation, he ordered the execution of a German soldier in his company. Philip IIs reaction to this historic document is unknown, although Aguirre was almost certainly dead by the time he received it. Assault on the Mainland Royal forces attempted to undermine Aguirre by offering pardons to his men: all they had to do was  desert. Several did, even before Aguirres mad assault on the mainland, slipping off and stealing small boats to make their way to safety. Aguirre, by then down to about 150 men, moved on to the town of Barquisimeto, where he found himself surrounded by Spanish forces loyal to the King. His men, not surprisingly, deserted  en masse, leaving him alone with his daughter Elvira. The Death of Lope de Aguirre Surrounded and facing capture, Aguirre decided to kill his daughter, so that she would be spared the horrors that awaited her as the daughter of a traitor to the crown. When another woman grappled with him for his harquebus, he dropped it and stabbed Elvira to death with a dagger. Spanish troops, reinforced by his own men, quickly cornered him. He was briefly captured before his execution was ordered: he was shot before being chopped into pieces. Different pieces of Aguirre were sent to surrounding towns. Lope de Aguirres Legacy Although Ursà ºas El Dorado expedition was destined to fail, it may not have been an utter fiasco if not for Aguirre and his madness. It is estimated that Lope either killed or ordered the death of 72 of the original Spanish explorers. Lope de Aguirre did not manage to overthrow Spanish rule in the Americas, but he did leave an interesting legacy. Aguirre was neither the first nor the only conquistador to go rogue and attempt to deprive the Spanish crown of the royal fifth (one-fifth of all spoils from the New World was always reserved for the crown). Lope de Aguirres most visible legacy may be in the world of literature and film. Many writers and directors have found inspiration in the tale of a madman leading a troop of greedy, hungry men through dense jungles in an attempt to overthrow a king. There have been a handful of books written about Aguirre, among them Abel Posses  Daimà ³n  (1978) and Miguel Otero Silvas  Lope de Aguirre, prà ­ncipe de la  libertad  (1979). There have been three attempts to make films about Aguirres El Dorado expedition. The best by far is the 1972 German effort  Aguirre, Wrath of God, starring Klaus Kinski as Lope de Aguirre and directed by Werner Hertzog. There is also the 1988  El Dorado, a Spanish film by Carlos Saura. More recently, the low budget  Las Lgrimas de Dios  (The Tears of God) was produced in 2007, directed by and starring Andy Rakich. Source: Silverberg, Robert.  The Golden Dream: Seekers of El Dorado. Athens: the Ohio University Press, 1985.

Persuasive paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Persuasive - Research Paper Example By criticizing tobacco politics and highlighting financial burden, health hazards, and its prevalence, paper tries to persuade the readers about the danger of secondhand smoke and necessity of adopting effective laws and policies to protect people from secondhand smoke. On 18 June, 2002, Lynn French, a non-smoking flight attendant who worked for TWA airlines from 1977 to 1998 when smoking was still permitted in commercial flights, was awarded astonishing compensation of 5.5 million US dollars by the Miami Jury in a historic verdict against some of the leading cigarette manufacturing companies such as, Philip Morris, Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Brown & Williamson Tobacco unit, and British American Tobacco (A WSJ News Roundup, 2002). The case against tobacco companies was filed under the accusation that Lynn French’s nonstop work in smoky, enclosed cabins of airlines caused significant negative impact on her health, including sinus problem. Lynn suffered from serious sinus infection due to the constant exposure to secondhand smoke, requiring long-term medical treatments (A WSJ News Roundup, 2002). The Lynn’s case is just another example of numerous victims of secondhand smoke all over the world, however, majority of them are not as lucky as Lynn in getting the justice. Today, the number of active smokers is rapidly increasing in the world. Consequently, at the same time, a large number of non-smoking populations, including children, has been exposed to secondhand smoke. Various researches and scientific studies have regularly highlighted serious negative effects of secondhand smoke on the physical and psychological health, yet the issue of secondhand smoking is widely neglected. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize on the severe negative effects of secondhand smoking and necessity of implementing effective measures against it. Before revealing health hazards of