by California Casualty | Educators |
Educators make a difference.
Every day they work hard to plant seeds in vibrant minds, helping grow a brighter future for California. They don’t do it for money or glory, and they certainly don’t do it alone. Their dedication is matched by supportive staffs and schools led by forward thinking administrators who push the envelope to incorporate technology and new ways of teaching.
We realize that all too often educators are the unsung heroes working hard to make sure our children excel. They give their time, encouragement, and frequently their own funds to make sure their students learn and achieve. Their reward is the satisfaction that they made a difference in a child’s life.
That commitment is embodied by Daniel Jocz, nominated as California’s candidate for the 2016 National Teacher of the Year. Mr. Jocz realizes that incorporating 21st century technology, like YouTube, in his high school social studies classes makes the content relevant, rigorous and engaging. Mr Jocz has taught for 11 years at the Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles where he is a department chair and associated student body advisor. Those who know Mr. Jocz say he instills a sense of success and pride that students take with them throughout their day and beyond school hours.
Another educator who digs deep to make lessons applicable and memorable is Tara Buford, an elementary school teacher in Escondido, California. She has a passion for learning and is committed to helping every child in her classroom. As a “life-long learner” herself, Tara wants to expand opportunities to make lessons fun and engaging for all of her students. “If I’m not having fun they’re not having fun,” she said.
Tara estimates that she spends as much as $1,000 a year of her own funds to make sure her students have the tools and materials they need to succeed. Her students benefitted in 2015 when she received one of California Casualty’s $2,500 Academic Awards. Tara was able to purchase electronic learning systems and games geared to preparing her classes for the Common Core curriculum.
California Casualty values the contributions of educators like Daniel and Tara. While we might remember a favorite teacher that motivated us, few of them get the public accolades they deserve.
That’s why we’ve teamed up for a second year to be the presenting sponsor of the California Department of Education’s (CDE) School Recognition Program that honors educators who inspire students to succeed, recognizes schools that continually show high achievement and celebrates the support staff that provide the backbone for quality education. California Casualty’s support makes possible the following 2016 California School Recognition Programs:
- Gold Ribbon Schools – honoring exemplary public elementary schools which demonstrate significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap
- Teachers of the Year – recognizing exemplary teachers and their contribution to quality education
- Classified School Employee of the Year – highlighting those who symbolize the profession’s commitment to education
- California Green Ribbon School Awards – recognizing schools that accomplish great things in the areas of sustainability and health
- California Blue Ribbon Schools – celebrating schools that promote and support the improvement of education
With a relationship that spans 65 years, we understand that great teachers often need help to accomplish great things. That’s why we do more than just provide the CTA Auto and Home Insurance Program; we give back to the communities we serve in meaningful ways that have real impact on their lives. These programs include the $2,500 California Casualty Academic Award, that helps offset the money that educators spend of their own funds for classroom supplies and equipment; the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grants, given to public high schools in California that demonstrate the greatest need for their sporting programs; and the Impact Teen Drivers “Create Real Impact” contest, that awards students and schools that design the best interactive messages to prevent distracted and reckless driving – the number one killer of teens today.
Teachers and support staff do make a difference. Their devotion to our children is why the CDE’s School Recognition Program is so important, and why California Casualty is proud to be a sponsor.
by California Casualty | Firefighters, Peace Officers |
Have you ever stood on the side of a busy road or highway? It can be a bit intimidating as traffic roars by; you can feel the wind of speeding cars and trucks and the sting from dust and pebbles thrown as they fly past. Now imagine that you are a first responder, law enforcement officer or maintenance worker trying to do a job, often just off of or in busy lanes of traffic.
Every day the people who protect us put their safety and lives on the line when they get out of their vehicles to help a stranded motorist, block a lane of traffic, clear up debris or provide first aid to someone hurt in a crash. This should be a reminder that we all need to be more careful as we drive along the byways and highways on our daily commutes or while on a special trip. Over the next hill or around the next curve could be an unexpected situation with a first responder or law enforcement officer who might be in a vulnerable situation while trying to help others.
Just such a situation recently turned deadly for 33 year old Colorado State Trooper Jamie Jursevics who was hit and killed while assisting people involved in a crash off I-25. Another driver, who has been charged with driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter, slammed into Trooper Jursevics. She died at the scene leaving behind a husband and an eight month old daughter.
The pain that Jursevics’ family is enduring is felt by hundreds of others every year. The National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund reports that between 2005 and 2014, 134 officers died after being struck by a vehicle. In addition, hundreds of highway construction and maintenance workers were also struck and killed while on the job.
We all owe the men and women who keep our roads safe our undivided attention. This means not being distracted by cell phones or other electronic devices, never driving while overly tired or after consuming alcohol or taking certain prescription drugs, and slowing down when we see emergency vehicle lights either in traffic or off to the side of the road. It’s hard to imagine the horror of being distracted and causing injuries or death.
That’s why all 50 states now have Move Over laws on the books, to try and protect the men and women who protect us. Move Over laws require motorists to slow down, change lanes or move over as far as possible when approaching an emergency vehicle. More of us need to be informed about those laws, though; with surveys showing that 71 percent of Americans still have not heard of Move Over laws.
The American Safety Council reminds us to be extra vigilant when we see an emergency vehicle and to:
- Pull as far to the right as possible to let them pass
- Stay at least 500 feet behind them
- Move as far over as possible when nearing a stopped emergency vehicle with lights activated and slow to a speed not more than 20 miles less than the posted speed limit
The men and women who swear to serve and protect us, as well as ambulance drivers, tow truck operators and construction workers deserve all the extra safety we can give them.
by California Casualty | Educators, Firefighters |
Here at California Casualty, we care about
the fun stuff.
We know auto and home insurance isn’t anybody’s absolute favorite thing to talk about. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have some fun around here. For me, the most entertaining part of my job is…
announcing the winners of our giveaways!
No matter what we are giving away, no matter who wins, no matter where they live… it’s always a blast.
They’re also excited.
They’re always surprised.
And they’re always so grateful.
(Which is slightly ironic, considering our giveaways reward people who truly deserve it and are our way of saying thanks to them.)
We’ve recently announced the winners of TWO giveaways: Our “Work Hard, Play Hard” Polaris ATV and Our School Lounge Makeover.
The winner of our Polaris ATV is a very deserving volunteer paramedic and EMS instructor named Ellie Piatt of Huber Heights, Ohio.
Congratulations, Ellie!
When we headed to Ohio to surprise Ellie at a department meeting, we learned she’d never even so much as sat on an ATV before! But that didn’t seem to curb her excitement. Ellie says she plans to use the $10,000 ATV to help her Bethel Township Fire Department better help the community.
Ellie, The Bethel Township Fire Department, and member of the California Casualty team all posing with the Polaris ATV
An extremely selfless volunteer paramedic!? I guess we shouldn’t have been surprised. But the genuine bigheartedness of the people we work with is always the biggest reminder of why we work so hard to protect these American Heroes.
Congratulations, Ellie, and thanks for continuing to volunteer your time, talents, and treasures to your community.
As if that wasn’t rewarding enough…
We also revealed our most recently completed School Lounge Makeover!
This time, we had the pleasure of working with EON Designs to remodel the Teachers Lounge at Tusky Valley High School. (Tusky Valley is also in Ohio, what a coincidence!)
I had the pleasure of going out to TVHS in May to help surprise our winning teacher.
Kelly Gulling is a highly regarded and much beloved Chemistry and Physics teacher.
Congratulations, Kelly!
For the last 3 months, the EON Design team has been working hard to give the TVHS Teaching Team the Teachers Lounge they deserve. One with chairs that don’t break when you sit in them, enough space for everyone to enjoy the space, and a decor that is relaxing and soothing.
So here’s what the lounge looked like before the School Lounge Makeover…
On Tuesday, we revealed the newly made-over TVHS School Lounge!
Are you ready for this?!…
Doesn’t it look fantastic!? I really love the color…
And here’s Kelly, our winner, in the Lounge with her local Union President (far left) and the Principal at TVHS (far right).
I can’t tell you guys how great it was to see the Before and After of this School Lounge Makeover. The entire community at Tusky Valley High School was a pleasure to meet!
We hope you guys have a rockin new school year in your new lounge! Thanks for letting us get to know your community and reward your educators for everything they do.
by California Casualty | Nurses |
Alright, what’s the secret?
There has to be something our top bloggers know that I don’t. Because for the life of me I cannot figure out how you guys (and gals!) find time to do all the things you do!
Today’s Battle of the Blog spotlight is on our FIRST NURSING blogger!
This is Keith Carlson, RN (aka: “NurseKeith”)
NurseKeith is a registered nurse, professional coach, writer, AND rock star blogger. Oh, excuse me, did I forget to mention he also co-founded an internet radio station called “RN.FM Radio: Nursing Unleashed”?
Seriously, people, how can you pull all this off!?
The name of Keith’s blog (well….one of them) is Digital Doorway. In his blog posts, NurseKeith discusses everything from the latest happenings in the world of nursing to book reviews to personal stories from his nursing experiences.
The real miracle is that Keith found some time to talk to us about his blog. Learn more below!
How would you describe Digital Doorway?
Digital Doorway is a venue for my thoughts, opinions and reflections on issues related to nursing, health care, and coaching.
What would you say is the focus or mission?
The mission of my blog is to be informative, thought-provoking, and intellectually stimulating, and to communicate important and timely information related to nursing and healthcare, as well as social justice and related topics.
What inspired you to start it?
I started Digital Doorway as a means to use my voice as a nurse and writer in a public format.
My blog began more as a personal exploration of issues important to me, and in the last 4 to 5 years it has become increasingly focused on nursing and health care.
How long have you been writing on this particular blog?
Digital Doorway has been active since January of 2005.
Do you have a favorite thing to write about?
My favorite subjects to write about are nursing, health care, social justice, and health.
Tell us a little bit about your blog ‘community’ …
My blog community is varied and sundry. I am sometimes surprised by the amount of attention that certain posts engender, and I am frequently gratified by the wonderful encouragement and feedback that I receive.
What would you say has been your best experience as a blogger?
My best experience as a blogger has been the ongoing relationships with other nurse bloggers that I have developed over the years, as well as the organic notoriety that has been created by the blog.
I have actually met several people face to face with whom I first connected through Digital Doorway. It’s wonderful to create a real friendship out of an online connection.
What have you learned through the experience?
I have learned a great deal about writing, blogging, the internet, nursing, and the intersection between internet technology and healthcare.
If you win, to which charity will you donate your $200 winnings? Why?
I will be likely to donate my $200 winnings to Madre, an excellent organization that assists women and children around the world.
Other than the blog, where can we find you on the web?
On Facebook and on Twitter.
We are so happy to have our first Nursing blogger profile! To learn more about Nurse Keith and check out some of his blog posts, click here. To vote for your favorite Nursing Blog in Battle of the Blogs, click here!
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Helpful Tips, Safety |
We all know the basics: stop at red lights, obey the speed limit. What about laws about passing cars on the right, or restraining pets in your vehicle? We put together a list of the lesser-known traffic laws that potentially could land you in trouble if you break them. Not knowing about them – unfortunately – isn’t a defense if you get stopped.
Use your turn signal.
Most states require that you signal when you turn right or left and when you change lanes. In fact, you are supposed to signal 100 feet before you turn or move to a new lane. You could get flagged for a non-criminal moving violation if you fail to do this.
Don’t change lanes in the middle of an intersection.
In some states, it is illegal to change lanes in the middle of the intersection. You’re expected to stay in your lane as you cross through it. Even when it is legal, it might be unsafe, and you can be pulled over for that, too.
Come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
You may be tempted to pause rather than stop at a stop sign. The law clearly states that you must come to a complete stop. That means no forward momentum with the speedometer at 0. If you don’t come to a complete stop, you can be cited for running a stop sign. We suggest stopping for three seconds, which will be long enough for an observing police officer to see you have stopped. It’s also long enough for you to check for oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or road hazards.
Follow the rules at a four-way stop.
With a four-way intersection, every driver has a stop sign. That means each vehicle should come to a complete stop. The first vehicle to arrive has the right of way. If two cars arrive at the same time, the car to the right goes first. Bicycles must follow the same rules as cars at a four-way stop and yield to the vehicle who arrived first, or the one on the right. Pedestrians, however, have the right of way, and can cross before any vehicles proceed.
Know about improper passing.
In New Jersey, you cannot pass a car on the right except in special circumstances. The car must be turning left or there must be at least two lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Illinois, it’s illegal not to move to the right if a car is trying to pass you. In some states, the far left lane is only for passing.
Restrain your pets.
We want to keep our pets safe, and there are several states that have laws on the books to make sure we do. New Jersey has a law requiring you to secure your pet in a carrier or with a seatbelt. In Hawaii, you can be fined for having your pet on your lap or rolling down the windows without restraining your pet. Maine, Connecticut, and Arizona classify pets under distracted driving.
Know when to yield.
It may be obvious that you need to yield at a yield sign. But did you also know that in many states, you must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk? You also must yield to those who are blind and using a white cane or seeing eye dog. In a “T” intersection, where a road dead ends into another road, the car at the dead end must yield to the continuing road. Finally, if you’re making a turn onto a road, you must yield to traffic on that road.
Move over and slow down for emergency vehicles.
When you see flashing lights, it’s time to slow down and move to the side of the road. This allows for the safe passage of emergency vehicles. Every state has a Move Over law except for Washington, DC. If you don’t move over or slow down, you could be subject to a fine, license suspension, or even jail time.
Put headlights on when it’s raining.
Visibility is down when it’s raining. That’s why several states require headlights to be on anytime your wipers are in use, even in daylight. Some states only require headlights in dense fog, low visibility, and at night. In these situations, your headlights can help other drivers see you better.
Don’t tailgate.
Tailgating is considered a traffic violation. While states aren’t consistent with how they define tailgating, often such tickets are issued after a rear-end collision. If you’re alert and focused on the road, it takes you about 2 seconds to react to a roadway hazard. That means a safe following distance is at least 3 seconds or more. Use the 3-second rule as a starting point. You can measure the distance in seconds this way: Find a landmark such as a mile marker or telephone pole. Start counting once the car in front of you passes that landmark. Count slowly until your car reaches the same landmark. That is the number of seconds that you are traveling behind the vehicle in front of you.
Wear your seat belt.
Most of the country has laws for seat belts. Some states require you to wear both front and back seat belts. Others just focus on front seat belts. If you’re caught without your seatbelt, you could be subject to fines.
Know your state’s cell phone laws.
Most states require cell phone use to be hands-free, and consider texting while driving as distracted driving. However, some states go further and penalize drivers for accessing, viewing, or reading non-navigation content on phones.
Keep the minimum insurance.
Most states require drivers to carry auto insurance. The state sets the minimum amount and type. Generally, this includes bodily injury liability and property damage liability. If you have a leased car, your lender will require you to have more extensive coverage.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
