• Figure out what you’ll owe and start to save early –
Creating a budget early will allow you to build a solid
foundation for repayment after graduation. Setting aside
money each month toward future savings for repayment will
set you up for success come graduation day.
• Understand your repayment options – There are several
different options available to start paying off student loans
based on the type of loan you received. Common federal
loan plans include standard, graduated, extended, or income-
based. Standard plans are payments in fixed amounts that
ensure loans are paid off in 10-30 years (these payments
are often very high for new graduates). Graduated plans are
payments that start out lower and increase every two years,
also ensuring loans are paid off within 10-30 years (based on
loan). This plan assumes you’ll continue to make more money
as you continue your career path, so additional money is
allotted to repayment as you go. Extended plans may be made
in a fixed amount or a graduated amount and ensure payment
in full within 25 years. Income-based plans take 10-15 percent
of your discretionary income and are recalculated each year.
Once you are married, your spouse’s income will also be
considered, if filing jointly on tax returns. Any outstanding
balance on the loan will be forgiven after 20-25 years.
• Consolidate for ease – If you have multiple federal loans,
consolidating them into one can make repayment easier.
But there may be fees or other conditions associated with
consolidating, so be sure to do your research.
• Is forgiveness an option? Some programs offer loan
forgiveness if you meet certain criteria or work in a particular
field. People in government, nonprofit, and other public
service jobs may have the remainder of their loans forgiven
after 10 years of service. Additional forgiveness options are
available for nurses, teachers, AmeriCorps and Peace Corps
volunteers, and some state and private programs.
PRE-K – HIGH SCHOOL
The first public school opened in the United States in 1635,
and the Boston Latin School remains the nation’s oldest public
school. Early education didn’t focus on math or science, but
on the virtues of family, religion and community. Nearly 400
years later, schools are harnessing the fundamental principles
of community, and although it may look very different in this
day and age, a strong focus is being put on the importance of
creating a safe school culture and tapping into technology for
limitless learning.
24
724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
❘
icmags.com
In 2019, students, parents, teachers, and administrators
are seeing changes both inside and outside of the classroom.
One of the biggest changes in recent years comes in the
form of technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues
to change education tools and is expected to increase in
implementation in U.S. classrooms by 47.5% in the next
three years, according to the Artificial Intelligence Market
in the U.S. Education Sector report. In addition to AI, other
technologies are providing students with the opportunity to
connect with classmates in other countries, giving teachers
the ability to educate a virtual classroom from the comfort
of their own home, and expanding access to applications that
were once inaccessible.
Another key focus in education this year is on ensuring
that students feel safe, connected, supported, and challenged
through a variety of different ways. School culture and safety
are being addressed and adapted based on recent school
safety concerns across the country. Teachers, administrators,
families, and community groups are putting a critical focus
on social-emotional learning activities to facilitate a better
look into dealing with anger management, conflict resolution,
empathy, and other important life skills. School is often the
only place where social and emotional learning deficiencies
can be addressed; therefore teaching students these
invaluable life skills ultimately prepares them to become
active members of society. This is another pivotal point in a
teacher’s role in the classroom.
Teachers continue to play an integral role in the lives of
students, one that cannot be replaced with even the most
advanced type of technology. This isn’t to say that the way
we taught even 15 years ago is suitable. Teachers’ roles are
continually changing, and their need to adapt is critical to
students’ success. School administrators must also support
and train educators with the tools and techniques they are
being given to ensure successful integration in the classroom.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
It was recently reported that teenagers spend nine hours
a day with technology. Whether in the form of social media,
listening to music, playing games, or texting with friends,
technology plays an integral role in their lives. Educators
have taken note and are now reaching teenagers where
they are spending a majority of their time. Digital tools are
providing teachers with the opportunity to incorporate
personalized learning to students in a way that benefits them.