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Libra, Weekly Horoscope, December 08 to December 14, 2024: Opportunities for creative expression ariseJerry Yang didn’t speak English when he started school at L.A. Nelson Elementary. Now, as a Guyer High School sophomore, Yang is a budding teacher, and among 18 Denton ISD students qualified to advance to nationals from their work in Texas Association of Future Educators contests. Yang and his peers are also eligible for the Educators Rising National Conference. How did the high school student go from being a Mandarin speaker in an English as a second language program to a competitive aspiring teacher? Yang credits Denton ISD’s Teach Denton and how it channeled his enthusiasm for learning in elementary school. “I believe it’s because I was not a native speaker,” he said. “And I usually excel more, like faster than others. So then I helped others, and then it clicked for me at the same time.” Guyer High School sophomore Jerry Yang qualified for a national competition for future educators. Yang is a member of both Teach Denton, a Denton ISD program that offers training and development for students who want to be teachers, and his campus chapter of Texas Association of Future Educators. Yang said his ESL teacher nominated him for the program. “I was like ‘OK,’” he said. In elementary school classrooms across Denton ISD, teachers notice when some students help their classmates out. They might explain part of a small group activity, or help a friend stand in the right spot. They are eager to learn, too. Since the 2016-17 school year, teachers have tapped those students to join Teach Denton, a program that introduces students — some of them as young as prekindergarten — to teaching. Since its founding, Teach Denton has fed campus chapters of the Texas Association of Future Educators, a three-year education training program at LaGrone Academy that certifies students to work as classroom aides. Teach Denton is also a pathway to LaGrone’s teaching internship, a program that gives students professional development and student teaching experience ahead of college programs. Since the program was founded, 88 of Teach Denton’s alumni have returned to Denton ISD in full-time teaching positions. Denton ISD leaders are proud of that number, and officials from the Texas Education Agency have visited campuses to meet Teach Denton students and the school leaders who are shepherding them toward a career in the classroom or administrators’ offices. “We’re planting these seeds; we’re planting Christmas trees,” said Leah Zavala, the coordinator of Teach Denton. “We’re not going to have all of our vacancies and spots filled tomorrow. But this is that long-term goal. It’s building Rome, you know?” Leah Zavala, Denton ISD’s Teach Denton coordinator, speaks at a event for Teach Denton students in February. Zavala said the program has attracted attention from school districts across the country. The program grew out of a campus improvement plan, a sprawling project that the leaders of each campus complete regularly to align classrooms with everything from state standards to the needs of the regional and national labor market. Zavala said a deputy superintendent likened the initiative to planting trees that would bear fruit generations later. District leaders routinely consider the challenges that face public schools. Texas has been dealing with a teaching shortage for more than a decade, a situation worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and political upheavals. Denton ISD has fared better than other Texas schools. It’s a destination district, and boasts an 81.8% teacher retention rate. But the program isn’t about filling vacancies, Zavala said. It’s about connecting students who excel in the classroom and who show leadership traits to a vocation that makes an impact on lives, and on a granular level. Texas public schools act on a 2019 mandate from state lawmakers to make sure students can graduate from high school ready for college, a career or the military. Denton ISD has the typical pathways for students to pursue those outcomes. LaGrone Academy, the district’s advanced technology complex, offers certifications in longstanding trades, such as cosmetology, nursing, auto mechanics and welding. The campus also has a menu of newer certification programs, such as commercial photography, animation, law and forensics. Zavala said the campus improvement plan process sparked conversations about teaching. Every teacher and administrator knows students who are clever, curious and willing to lead. “The questions came up: Why are we not marketing our profession?’” Zavala said. “We have the career-tech complex. We have law enforcement, we have health science. All of these were feeding into a profession. And education is feeding into that same profession, but there was this disconnect with students dropping off and not going into education [in their] postsecondary [education]. And so we started asking, ‘Why are we not doing this?’ “It was really just an idea from [a Denton ISD deputy superintendent] of, like, ‘Hey, why don’t we?’ And if we are in the business of education, why are we not marketing for education?” Zavala said elementary school students and even prekindergarten students who demonstrate empathy can be considered. The youngest students can take part in activities that develop empathy and positive interactions. When they get into kindergarten, Zavala said, they can start attending monthly Teach Denton meetings. Middle and high school students in the program can join their campus chapter of Texas Association of Future Educators. Student in the Teach Denton program at Denton ISD are set on education and career paths in teaching, with the ultimate goal of returning to Denton ISD for their careers. Among their peers and with their faculty advisers, those students drill down on teaching and focus on things like differentiation in education, which prepares them for a typical classroom and its varied students and abilities, to classroom management. Yang will compete in the Area 10 TAFE Conference at Texas Woman’s University over the weekend. The conference at TWU, hosted by the College of Professional Education and the Educator Preparation Program, includes students from Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant and Wise counties. Staci Scott, one of the two coordinators of the LaGrone Academy education internship program and campus TAFE chapter, is helping guide 85 students through the internship, which offers dual credit to students who plan to become certified teachers. The program, separate from Teach Denton, starts with five weeks of preparation, and then interns travel to Denton ISD campuses, where they do hands-on work and student teaching with younger students. “The more that I meet other teachers from other districts, I feel like our district is leading the way with this program,” Scott said. “So many districts want to get it going, but they’re not where we are.” Scott is in her third year sharing the helm of the internship, and she said she’s seeing some important things happen for the interns. “I think starting at an elementary level, keeping kids engaged and excited through their entire [school] career matters,” she said. “I think the fact that they are in classrooms actually teaching — it’s not for everyone, right? Teaching? I tell them, ‘This is such an opportunity for you to spend $75 to take this course and get to do what juniors in college do.’ “Because let’s be real, some people make it that far in college and then they do their student teaching and they’re like, ‘Oh, maybe this is not the route that I want to take.’ So the opportunity to be able to try it out and see is huge.” She also sees that the internship puts students in the classroom, a challenging place that is changing fast, early. By the time alumni are in collegiate teacher preparation programs, they’ve seen how students learn and interact. They’ve had a front-row seat to the challenges and the triumphs that students start experiencing the moment they start school. Scott said she sees room for growth in Teach Denton. “I think the earlier we can get kids in TAFE, and keep building that, we’ll be even better.” Students as young as pre-K can enter Denton ISD’s Teach Denton program. Many times, teachers notice certain characteristics, like helping others and a passion for learning, and recommend them for Teach Denton. An event in February honored the hundreds of Teach Denton students in the program. Yang is two years from graduation from Guyer High, but he’s already considering teacher preparation programs at the University of Texas and University of California. He’s also thinking of a career teaching high school biology and perhaps trying his hand as a public school administrator or college professor. And when he thinks of the future, he imagines teaching in a public school. Until then, Yang said, he’s going to mentor new TAFE students and continue competing while studying honors courses. As a Teach Denton student, Yang is already thinking about what the classroom will be like when he starts his career. “Our world is changing right now,” he said. “Technologies are more advanced, and new generations are coming up. We have to adapt to like the ever-changing present. I believe we should use resources, like AI, to help us, because that’s becoming a big thing. And I know ... teachers think that AI is cheating or something like that. But I think that in the future, AI is going to become like a useful resource.” Yang said both Teach Denton and TAFE have created a community for its members. Just like in team sports, Teach Denton students forge friendships. The students have built a support system for one another. And Yang said the skills students develop in Teach Denton don’t have to stay in classrooms. “I think a lot of people think that you’re in the program, you’re going to be kind of teacher and stuff, but I don’t think that I think that you’re in the program just to become a teacher,” Yang said. “You can do [work] in the program just to build your relationship with others, and basically strengthen your skills.” Zavala said Teach Denton has attracted attention from districts across the country. “Dr. [Robert] Stewart used to be our assistant superintendent of human resources, and he used to tell me all the time, ‘We’re going to take Teach Denton on the road, we’re going to take Teach Denton on the road!’” she said. “And we essentially have. We have gone to several different states in the U.S and talked about Teach Denton, and helped other education agencies in different states develop their grow your own program. Teach Denton is an exemplar for other districts.” Success! 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The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF allows investors to own shares in multiple big tech companies, including Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon, at a lower cost than buying individual shares. The ETF has a 61.4% allocation to big tech and includes all S&P 500 Magnificent Seven members in its top ten holdings. With a 35% increase in value in 2024 and a 10-year return of 16.30%, this ETF offers potential for growth, but its performance is heavily tied to the fortunes of big tech, making diversification important. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Any S&P 500 Magnificent Seven stocks would be a welcome addition to any investor's portfolio. Unfortunately for most investors, Magnificent Seven shares are so expensive that they're largely out of reach if you're not already wealthy (or close to it). Thankfully, that isn't the case because of a unique exchange-traded fund (ETF) that allows you to own shares in four Magnificent Seven stocks simultaneously. Don't Miss: This well known prop trading firm is offering 100% of your first $25,000 profit per account and 90% after that. Here's how to get a special 50% OFF CODE that lets you start out with monthly investments as low as $147 today. If there was a new fund backed by Jeff Bezos offering a 7-9% target yield with monthly dividends would you invest in it ? The Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF heavily focuses on big tech, which accounts for 61.4% of the 71 stocks in the ETF's portfolio. However, 45% of the ETF's portfolio is invested in Apple (13.36%), Amazon (6.82%), Microsoft (12.35%) and Nvidia (12.52%). Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia are all at the forefront of the AI revolution, while Amazon has become a dominant force in e-commerce. That's impressive enough, but the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF doesn't stop there. Regarding weight allocation, every S&P 500 Magnificent Seven member is included in the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF's top ten. That means you'll also be investing in Meta and Tesla. The fund also holds shares in market share and sector powerhouses like Eli Lilly, Visa, Costco and McDonalds. See Also: CEO of Integris gathered a team of senior investment managers who have $34.22 billion in combined owned and managed assets in the West Coast — here’s how to invest in their private credit fund that targets 12% annual interest rate. All these companies offer products and services in high demand from large segments of the buying public. They also have a level of global recognition that is difficult to overestimate. According to Ycharts, the combined market cap of the S&P 500 Magnificent Seven is over $16 trillion. Ycharts data also shows that Magnificent Seven heavyweights Google, Nvidia and Microsoft are up by nearly 50% in 2024. The same data also reveals the Magnificent Seven stocks have been responsible for 64.1% of the S&P 500's market cap growth for the year. So, when you buy into the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF, you buy shares in multiple companies that have grown rapidly throughout 2024. They also look set for continued growth in 2025 and beyond. Trying to buy individual shares in these companies would be cost-prohibitive for all but the most successful everyday investors. However, you can buy Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF shares for $350.36 (according to Vanguard website). Vanguard's public filings also indicate that the Mega Cap Growth ETF has increased in value by an incredible 35% in 2024. Trending: Commercial real estate has historically outperformed the stock market, and this platform allows individuals to invest in commercial real estate with as little as $5,000 offering a 12% target yield with a bonus 1% return boost today! The 10-year return (per Vanguard) is an impressive 16.30%, meaning this ETF also has potential as a buy-and-hold investment that can grow your wealth significantly. Although this ETF focuses more on growth than passive income , it currently pays a quarterly dividend of $0.374 per share. It's easy to see the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF's potential when you look at the total package. The downside risk is that the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF's continued performance is heavily tied to big tech's fortunes. The AI revolution is pushing companies like Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia into the stratosphere regarding value, but nothing goes up forever. That's why even though this ETF is highly diversified, putting all your eggs in this one basket may not be wise. Interest Rates Are Falling, But These Yields Aren't Going Anywhere Lower interest rates mean some investments won't yield what they did in months past, but you don't have to lose those gains. Certain private market real estate investments are giving retail investors the opportunity to capitalize on these high-yield opportunities. Arrived Home's Private Credit Fund’s has historically paid an annualized dividend yield of 8.1%* , which provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, this one has a minimum investment of only $100. Looking for fractional real estate investment opportunities? The Benzinga Real Estate Screener features the latest offerings. This article If You Like Big Tech, You'll Love This ETF That Lets You Invest in Microsoft, Nvidia And Apple At The Same Time originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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Judge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopolyNEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday said protection of citizen's safety and their right to live in safe social environments is as important as incorporating mechanisms in provisions of new penal laws to protect the rights of a person accused in organised crimes, reports Dhananjay Mahapatra. The observationcame from a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan as it deferred hearing on a PIL questioning the validity of three provisions of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) relating to organised crime, terrorist activities and sedition for allegedly not incorporating measures to safeguard rights of the accused. Senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy said the validity of two laws Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act have been upheld because of the safeguards incorporated in these legislations that curbed potential misuse and framing up of persons in organised crimes or terrorist activities. "These provisions in BNS and BNSS are cut and paste from the earlier legislations," she said. Justice Kant dissuaded her from using 'cut and paste' phrase for legislation enacted by Parliament and said there is an overwhelming presumption of the validity of such laws. "If the law is toothless, then it is not good for society. Maybe by inserting stringent provisions, a message is being sent to the offenders... Should the new penal laws be not given some time before their validity is tested."
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NoneFriday essay: 'A future of dust' – Jeff Sparrow on Gaza and why, in evil times, writers have a responsibility to take sides
NEW YORK (AP) — lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies before sentencing. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney's office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. Those options include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won't include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn't sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday that the only acceptable option to them is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. If anything, the immunity statute should require dropping the case altogether, not merely limiting the judge’s sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump" who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend a jury’s finding that came while he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, , a friend of Trump’s, is even as he leads that nation’s wars in and . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his conviction on . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel has , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.MVP calls claims Paul-Tyson was rigged 'illogical'Dastgir laments unable to meet Nawaz in a year
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