Agree. We are enabling the success of others, and to do so requires us to where many hats and engage in a host of issues and challenges that leads the student to a successful conclusion.
I have many students that tell me they can't wait for my class, yet I have a reputation for being one of the toughest instructors. They know I care because I wont let them off the hook and treat all students with equal opportunity.We need to be leaders not just instructors
I agree that it isn't possible to train all of the instructors to be guidance counselors for many of the extreme situations, but it is important to train them to identify them and be skilled at making referrals to useful resources.
Don't forget the student hat! I'm continually learning from my peers and students.
Some of the issues that come across my desk on any given day leave me speechless. Students that attend our schools face many very serious life problems that they bring to school with them and we are trying to guide them in the right direction toward success. It is not possible to train our instructors to be guidance couselors for many of these extreme situations. We have to just remember that what they face outside of school often makes our campus the safest and happiest they will be all day long.
Keep the faith, Carleton. You have the ability to change lives - even for those who aren't obvious partners in the process.
I would say that is how I feel also. Although it's hard to continue feeling that way when you get students that make it blatantly obvious that they don't care what grade(s) they get as long as they pass.
There are all sorts of motivations to go to school. I hope the student is furthering her skills in her chosen field. Otherwise she's just paying to play.
I agree completely. The most recent one that comes to mind is a student who decided to further her education after our career school, but her passion was to play college softball. We spoke about it at length, and she is currently playing college softball at a division 3 school and is very successful. It has been very rewarding for her to discuss her experiences and how happy she is that she made the decision to attend. Not only to play softball, but to further her education.
I agree an instructor is not just someone who handles classroom issues often times we have to help students with life issues as well.
When students set you up as a role model that is the best compliment to get from student.
Yes, I totally agree with you. Instructor is not only an instructor forstudent. Instructor job is not only to go to class thand try to teach or cover as mmuch as they can witthin class time But apart from it An instructor has power( understanding) to know about the students need and expcatation too.
I total agree. I find that my students come back to me after they have a few other insructors and say that they want back in my class. It has to do with my passion as a teach and a chef. I always want to lead by example. Class room management is key along with the right out put(words and body language). that why so many student come back to see me and up date me even years after they have graduated. by the way even my bosses notice the vistors and ask why that instructor???
My students also see me as a role model and mentor. It is imporatent that they see me as being "human". I let them know that I make mistakes, but I then I correct those mistakes. I share with them some of my own struggles and then I share my victories!
I am a strong believer in that a good teacher can make the most difference in retaining a student.
If a instructor has passion to impart knowledge and to amke sure he his student succeeds then that school will have a good retention.
Classroom management is key to retaining students.Instrictor is not just a instructor but he/she is also a mentor, giude and philosopher.
As an instructor I get to combine my two passions health and education. My students see me as a mentor and a role model.
Thats the balance thats hard to see from our perspective it seems. It takes other people around us to help as well, other faculty, Directors, Student Services personnel. Group effort all the way.
Paul, I agree with you! It is very rewarding and I know I have done a good job when my former students come back to visit. Every day I feel I wear several hats; teacher, mentor, life-skills coach, and counselor. Even though some nights I am dead tired…I would not give it up.
You are correct that it is gratifying, but we must remember that we are not counselors. We may error on the side of getting too personally involved.
This thread reminds me of a quote from ― George Bernard Shaw.
“I'm not a teacher: only a fellow traveler of whom you asked the way. I pointed ahead - ahead of myself as well as you.â€
Happy travels!
