The National Personal Finance Challenge

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The greatest accolade given the Naval Academy was by the North Vietnamese commander Major Bui to captured John Sidney McCain III, USNA class of ’58 when he said, “They have taught you too well, McCain! They have taught you too well.”

You don’t have to be a third generation applicant, son and grandson of a four-star Admiral and future presidential nominee to be one of the 10% of applicants who lands a coveted spot in the Naval Academy, but you do need a plan. That’s the first secret. Plan. Here are eight more:

1. Compare yourself against the bare bones requirements here. Is that you? Now check the ‘average student’  here. Still in the running? Even if it’s not you right now, could it be in four years? If so, you’re half way there.
2. Know this is where you want to go. Research your options. A good checklist for comparing schools is available in the book, or create your own. Just do it so when you’ve made a decision, you know it’s right.
3. Look at the long To Do list and understand they must be done. It includes not just becoming physically/mentally fit, but getting a Congressional nomination, passing a physical examination, working with the Blue and Gold officer, filling out piles of forms, possibly attending several sessions at the Academy to be sure you’re right. Accept that. It may interfere with other High School duties, but that’s the Academy way. They want to see how many balls you can juggle at once and still come out with applause. It’s doable and you can be that person. There’s a checklist in the workbook I used (Building a Midshipman) that makes it easy to complete everything, but be ready: It’s quite long.
4. Make a resume. Yes, you’re young, but if you don’t start it now, you’ll forget that when you were in eighth grade, you won the Science Fair, and when you were a freshman, you were the #1 violinist at the area orchestra competition. There’s a sample in the book that can help you.
5. Are you a mix of physical/mental/verbal? You don’t have to be the best in any one category, but a Navy Officer requires all three. You have to be physically fit, mentally sharp and able to communicate your thoughts and ideas. Some schools just want one or two. The Navy challenge: You must have all three.
6. Keep trying. The Naval Academy values people who follow through even when they’re failing, even when there isn’t enough time (think about preparing for Pearl Harbor–did they have as much time as they needed), especially if it means working under pressure (like every battle America has ever been in). That ability to work through problems and stress is as important as the 4.0 and ASB President that Ivy Leagues want.
7. Follow through. Once you’re in the application stage, send the information the Admissions Office requests, then follow through to be sure it got there. They have a handy update feature you can check or use the one in the workbook. Your goal is to be sure they think you’re in the same spot you think you are.
8. Start now.

The biggest secret: Believe you can do it. Anything you can believe and conceive, you can achieve. Set your GPS to ‘USNA’ and get going. (more…)

Ask a Tech Teacher discussed school counselors a few years ago–their importance in a student’s career-college choices, how the profession has changed over the years, and more. Their seminal place in the life of students preparing to leave school for their future is more important than ever.

Why School Counseling Is Essential in Modern Education Systems

Modern education systems face constant pressure to support academic success, emotional well-being, and social development at the same time. Students deal with stress, identity challenges, peer pressure, and digital distractions every day. Schools cannot rely only on teachers to handle these complex needs. School counseling fills that gap with structured guidance and personal support. Counselors help students build confidence, manage emotions, and make informed decisions about their future. Strong counseling programs improve school culture and student outcomes. A well-supported student performs better in class and handles challenges with resilience. That reality makes school counseling an essential part of modern education systems.

1. Addressing Emotional and Mental Health Needs

Students today experience rising levels of anxiety, stress, and emotional pressure. School counselors step in to provide direct support through conversations, coping strategies, and structured interventions. They help students understand emotions and respond in healthy ways. This support prevents small struggles from turning into serious issues. Counselors also create safe spaces where students feel heard and respected. When students trust someone in school, they open up more easily. That trust improves emotional stability and focus in class. Strong mental health support leads to better academic performance and fewer behavioral problems. Schools benefit when students feel balanced and supported. (more…)

Those interested in a life of Christian ministry must be prepared to:

• build a godly character
• serve faithfully
• be patient and accountable
• pursue training.

If this seems like the right path for your college-career goals, here are suggestions from the Ask a Tech Teacher team for what you can expect:

What to Expect When Studying for Christian Ministry

Studying for Christian ministry shapes both the mind and the heart. It calls for discipline, reflection, and a willingness to grow in faith while serving others. Many enter this path with passion, yet the journey demands more than enthusiasm. It requires steady commitment, intellectual curiosity, and emotional maturity. Coursework stretches thinking, while real-life ministry experiences challenge comfort zones. Growth happens through study, prayer, and community engagement. Expectations should remain realistic, since the process takes time and effort. A clear understanding of what lies ahead helps students stay grounded, focused, and ready to embrace both the challenges and the rewards of ministry training.

1. Academic Rigor and Theological Depth

Students often expect spiritual discussions, but the academic intensity surprises many. Courses require critical reading, structured writing, and deep analysis of biblical texts. Professors expect engagement with historical context, language nuances, and theological debates. Assignments push students to form well-supported arguments rather than simple reflections. Time management becomes essential, since reading loads grow quickly. Students must balance intellectual growth with spiritual insight. This combination creates a demanding yet rewarding environment. Consistent effort builds confidence and sharpens understanding. Those who stay disciplined find that their knowledge expands in meaningful ways that support long-term ministry goals and practical leadership. (more…)

Here’s an overview and a check list for what you want to accomplish this year (reprinted with permission from Building a Midshipman):

For many college entrance requirements, sophomore year starts the academic record- /GPA-/placement in the class-countdown. But not the Naval Academy. They count Freshman-Sophomore-Junior year. Senior year only counts for applicants on the scholastic bubble. This summer, like last summer, will be spent on scholarly pursuits, repairing damage and preparing for sophomore year.

• Develop a plan of action for the next twenty-four months designed to correct freshman year flaws and insure the accomplishment of your dreams. You post it on the wall above your desk. Every time you sit down to do homework, you’ll see those goals, remember those reasons, and study harder.
  
• Retake Geometry over the summer. Your confidence in your math and science abilities fractured after Honors Geometry and this will reinforce what you did learn while backfilling what you didn’t understand
• Drop to non-honors Algebra II and non-honors chemistry for sophomore year. These fit your aptitude better and you hope will allow you a better chance to absorb the material
• Play summer soccer with the District’s soccer league. You’re aiming for Varsity next year, so spend this time ironing out shots on goal, dribbling, and perfecting soccer strategy. You practice four days a week, play ten games, and get to know teammates and coaches. A good investment of time.
• Recommit yourself to violin. Dedicate several hours of each summer day to practice, and reevaluate next year. You had a few setbacks with your violin. You didn’t qualify for All-State, and because of the shortened weekly practice (studying for classes took a lot more time than you had planned), you didn’t progress sufficiently in the classical repertoire required for college auditions. Still, this summer can make a difference. Violin gives a voice to your ‘other’ self buried beneath math formulas and memorized facts.
• Research the fundamental premise of your science project. DNA has intrigued you since seventh grade. Read about singalization, hybridization, plate tectonics and paleogeology, and try to puzzle out your hypothesis.

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5 Top Benefits of Adolescent Outpatient Programs for Mental Health

Adolescents facing mental health challenges often need consistent support without leaving their normal routines. Outpatient programs make this possible by combining professional care with the flexibility to stay connected to school, family, and friends. These programs help teens receive structured therapy and emotional support while maintaining daily stability at home.

Families often look for treatment options that fit real-life schedules and responsibilities. Outpatient programs meet this need by providing multiple forms of counseling and structured hours of care in a safe environment. This balanced approach encourages healing and growth while keeping the focus on progress and connection. (more…)

Education is changing as the world does, too. It’s not just undergrad and then grad or trade school. Here are more ideas from the Ask a Tech Teacher team of what’s available:

Opportunities Driving Broader Educational Reach for Students Today

Education today isn’t locked into classrooms or bound by rigid schedules. Students can build their learning around their lives instead of the other way around. Whether it’s joining an online program, traveling for a short-term study experience, or tapping into free materials, the doors are wide open.

What’s changed the most is the range of choices available. Students can learn from international experts without leaving home, explore career-focused programs that fit into part-time hours, or find specialized courses that match their personal goals. The variety means each learning path can look completely different, shaped around what works best for the individual. (more…)

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Man in the Arena,  a speech by Theodore Roosevelt

 You didn’t even know the US Naval Academy existed until your brother decided to attend a Service Academy Night at the School District. He’s a year younger and a passionate student of military history. Mom joined him and when they returned, pronounced, “It’s you.”

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Since 2020, U.S. software developer employment has been declining, with fewer employed in January 2024 compared to January 2018, but those with the appropriate skills experience an eye-popping low unemployment rate of 2% and a median salary of $132,270. You’d think High School and college students would flock to these jobs, but they don’t. The Ask a Tech Teacher team decided to dig deeper into ways to encourage students to consider software engineering to be a realistic job choice:
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How to Inspire High School Students to Pursue a Career in Software Engineering

Photo courtesy of Pexels

Getting high school students excited about software engineering isn’t always easy. The subject sounds complex, the career path feels far away, and most teens have other things on their minds. Let’s explore how to spark interest early, show real-world impact, and give students a clear path from the classroom to a career in tech that actually feels achievable.

Connect Software Engineering to Real-World Impact

For most teens, talking about theory isn’t enough; what grabs them is knowing what builds the apps they use, the games they love, and the real tools behind everyday technology. When students realise software is behind everything from Spotify to Snapchat, it feels less like homework and more like something they already live with.

Once you have their attention, share real-world examples they haven’t thought about. Talk about engineers building tools for disaster relief, climate data, or accessibility tech. These stories show how coding helps people. If they’re serious about it long-term, something like a masters in software engineering online can help them build tools that change lives, not just screens.

And sometimes, the spark comes from seeing tech used in completely unexpected ways. Whether it’s farmers using software to monitor crops or artists using code to generate digital installations, these examples prove that software isn’t just for Silicon Valley, it’s everywhere.

Introduce Practical Skills Through Coding Programs

Letting students code, build, and see something work on screen changes their perspective entirely. Once they get that first small win, like a game that actually runs or a website that responds, they feel capable. That moment sticks with them, as it often does when students start planning early for a tech-focused future.

That feeling leads to questions, like how real developers do it, how bigger systems work, how software runs behind the scenes. Tools like Raspberry Pi, Unity, or basic app builders become stepping stones. If they keep pushing, they’ll eventually want something more serious. That’s where a masters in software engineering starts making sense, it becomes a goal, not just a dream.

Encourage Mentorship and Career Path Visibility

Students often struggle to picture themselves in tech because they rarely meet people who actually work in it. Bringing in mentors, whether recent grads or experienced engineers, makes the idea of a career in software feel a lot more reachable.

That shift matters, as it gives students a face, a voice, and a backstory to connect their own journey to, especially when they wonder if software engineering is still worth it in 2025. Once that connection forms, you have something real to build on. Mentorship helps replace doubt with direction, and that small shift can change everything.

One way to make that connection even stronger is through alumni panels, tech career days, or virtual Q&As with professionals. These moments let students ask honest questions, hear real answers, and picture themselves following a similar path, and with their own twist.

Endnote

Inspiring high school students to pursue software engineering starts by making it feel real. When they can see its impact, it no longer feels out of reach, especially when schools find creative ways to bring more technology into under-resourced classrooms. With the right support, tools, and guidance, students stop asking if they can belong in tech and start planning how.

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“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.