I'm ony human
I try to connect with the students that need me most.
The guy or girl that stands out, or is in a shell
are the ones I target most.
I wish I could spend more quality time with each and every student, but the time frame is to short.
This leaves me with the question, could I have done more to save the student?
I wish I could save the world, but I'm only human
I teach adult edu and realize that a key element that is lacking is 'Nurture' -- something that students had in high school. I try to incorporate that in my labs and periodically tell them that I am proud of them.
IT always seems that the guy that does not care gets the most attention and the ones that are trying to learn suffer because i am busy with trying to get them involved and not able to give the guy that cares all the info i want to.
I agree that we have to recognize these students as well. A lot of our energy goes to the students who are NOT engaged, but we can't lose focus on the ones that are. I make it a point to thank them for tutoring, volunteering, etc.
While I also try to reach that student who is in the shell or who is withdrawn I never forget that student who does all the work completes the labs before everyone shows up on time and follows all the rules this student also needs a pat on the back and told thanks .A lot of time these students go unrecognized.
yes dennis i believe if we focus on the student who want to be there,our retenion will go up because the more we focus on the connected student and stay engaged with them our student will start trusting us more and open up to us to let us know whether they understand what we are teaching or not.( the world will save itself dennis lets just make more horsepower).
