Continous personal development in my place of work Essay

Continous personal development in my place of work - Essay Example However, regardless of the personality the prison staff has, they have been subjected, and made to adapt, to changing circumstances in the past few years. From the working role of prison staff as depicted by Woolf to the new role of bringing about a balance and accomplishment of a constructive, aberrant behaviour work with prisoners, prison staff members are facing a dire need for continued professional development (Liebling, Price & Schefer 2011). The changing times have shifted the focus of prison roles from delivery of justice and fairness to better management of the attitude of the prisoners. Better and improved theoretical and practical models have been developed for achieving this managerial role. Power culture, role culture and person culture have all seen significant changes in the past years (Harper 1997). Moreover the advent of new technology and changes in the architectural design of the prisons, coupled with innovations in the operating framework of organizations and grea ter external monitoring of the position and utility of prisons, have widened the scope of the responsibilities prison staff are required to meet (O'Toole & Eyland 2005). This has implications for prison staff. According to Boyatzis, Cowen and Kolb (1995), educators are not in touch with learning anymore. They give out information that they have and which helps to achieve the expected results. Educators today have become intertwined in the business of giving out information rather than being proactive in learning. The changing times have served to highlight this deficiency. This is evidenced by the fact that people working at the prison are now demanding better training programs and greater opportunities to further their skills. This serves to highlight the need for any individual working at the prison to indulge in a continuous process of professional development in order to satisfy the demands of the modern era. Before scrutinizing the professional development I, being an employee at the prison, can undergo, I will revisit the models of professional development. These models will be reviewed and linked to how they apply to my place of work i.e. the prison. Generally speaking, professional development entails to the concept of improving one’s personal self as well as bringing about advancement in one’s career. It encompasses a range of initiatives undertaken by the individual such as diplomas, workshops and conferences, training and other informal means of learning offered at the place of work. One of the essentials of professional development is the evaluation of one’s progress and how aligned the process is to the goals. The programs undertaken can be formal or informal, and group-led or individual. Keeping the need for professional development into consideration, Sparks and Loucks-Horsley (1989) have cited five models for staff development. Often people follow a combination of these models to advance professionally. Before evaluating on eself through these models, one needs to answer the question that what is needed to become a better educator. Analyzing all professional development models keeping this question in context, I believe I can chart out a comprehensive continued professional development process. The first model of professional development pertains to individually guided development. It is a natural phenomenon for a person to be curious. Curiosity is a great teacher and

Gregory of Nyssa Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Gregory of Nyssa - Research Paper Example Gregory was born in a saintly family, during A.D. 335, being the third son, with two brothers and three sisters. He was the younger brother of the great St. Basil. As he got his education at home, he did not have much interaction with the outside world, during his early years. While he visited the Chapel for the Mother’s Convent, to attend to the services conducted in honor of ‘Forty Martyrs of Sebaste’, he got a dream where the martyrs ridiculed him for not getting baptized. Accordingly, he agreed for the baptization, at his adult age, and determined to become a reader also. Gregory followed the profession of teaching, before finally joining the monastery in Pontus, as his brother and friend Gregory of Nazianzus pursued him to do so. While reading the Holy Scriptures, he also wrote many descriptions about the natural beauty. Bishop of Nyssa Gregory was appointed Bishop of Nyssa in A.D. 370. However, he faced difficulties, as he believed in Orthodox faith. In addi tion, due to his defense of ‘The Holy Trinity and the Incarnation’, Arian and Sabellian authorities targeted him. The prosecution sent him summons to appear before the Synod of Ancyra, for misuse of church funds and being improperly ordained. He got very upset with such allegations and fell ill. His brother Basil made efforts to clean his tarnished image and was successful in getting the Synod of Bishops declare him innocent, as he was not fit to travel to Ancyra for attending the trial. However, his opponent arranged for trial at Nyssa, while Gregory refused to attend it. Finally, he was banished and deposed in the year 376. He had to change his residency many times, as he was subjected to harassment and cruelty at many places, which resulted in his despondency. However, the death of Emperor Valens in 378 changed his fortunes as the succeeding Emperor declared that all orthodox bishops must be allowed to return to their positions. Gregory went back to Nyssa and was wel comed there. Gregory succeeds Basil After the death of his brother Basil, whose funeral was preached by Gregory, he succeeding Basil and followed the Nicene Faith vigorously. Later he went on pilgrimage to Arabia, Babylon and Jerusalem, as the Emperor provided him the required carriages. Gregory’s death He died in the year A.D. 395. However, his legacy as the aggressive defender of Orthodox Faith and great teacher earned him acclaim as ‘Father of Fathers’ and ‘Star of Nyssa’. His faith in all religions and unknown destiny is expressed in his words,†all religious truth consists in mystery†.(Heroes of Fourth Century) Life of Moses The book is a treasure for Christians, as it deals with the virtue and perfection detailed in Christianity. This fourth century scripture by Gregory of Nyssa was originally written in Greek. English and French translations of this book are available today. As the book has two parts, first part details the ‘h istory of Moses’ in 77 paragraphs and the second part deals with the ‘contemplation on life of Moses’, in 321 paragraphs. Explaining a few excerpts The book has referred to verbal roots, as showing affection or having a friend. This has been mentioned in the book as a meditating tool to overcome physical and mental struggle. Another excerpt is regarding ‘Horses are eager to run’. This refers to the human nature of being over-zealous and always busy like winning in a racecourse. (The life of Moses) Referring to a child being given an ark, it details that the ‘ark’ is for crossing the stream safely. The ‘ark’ is the education that the child must have to fight the challenges of life, as it holds the child above the waves of the stream. Virtue is the ‘ark’ shaped carriage for human beings to fight the struggles and it can be acquired through education and patience. (The life of Moses) Contributions in spirituality G regory of Nyssa has contributed to the Christianity in giving us the holy script called, ‘