I also try to minimize outside school work and allow "in class" time to reinforce competancies.
Hi Van,
Good point. Listening is a valuable teaching tool and instructors need to really develop that skill. We often feel we have to talk all the time but by listening we show our students that we care about them and their input.
Gary
Sometimes just being a sounding board is helpful. I also try to make sure that homework is not onerous and is of direct correlation to curriculum. I have also helped to discuss career options when they have had questions or directed them to other resources either within the campus structure or out in the field.
Hi Peter,
With your story and example you are modeling all kinds of positive behaviors that should inspire your students. They know you have done it and that they can do it as well.
Gary
I use myself as an example. After re-entering college I had to reprioritize my life and make finshing school job number one. I had to give up some of my "free" time, but I told myself the rewards would be great and longlasting. I encourage my students to do the same.
Hi Maria,
Great question with many possible answers. I will be looking forward to the responses that this question gets since a lot of the support needed depends on the location of the students. I have visited a number of different settings throughout the country trying to get some answers to the question you asked for myself. I am based in the midwest and we have not had the same level of reductions in force as on the coasts so we have different supports we use for our students here. I was recently in the Northeast and there many students are going to have to relocate if they are going to be able to get employment. Hard choice--both relocation and new employment. Many of our students don't want to do either. They want to go back to doing what they did before. So they have to mentally adjust as well. Very complicated situation that requires some very intensive thinking to find the needed solutions.
Gary
