Keeping the dream alive
In class on a regular basis I ask the students, WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR, I see what the response is and tell them your here for a reason and not to give up on their dreams.
the school's like a gps if you get lost or side tracked we'll help you get back on the right road.
... and those turns aren't always well marked. What role does the school play in helping the student find their way?
i also say that the road to your dream will have some right and left turns maybe even some u-turns but when you get back on track and make it to that dream its even sweeter do to all the hard work it took you to get there.
This sounds like a very lengthy conversation. How often do you talk to those that you have enrolled? Do you coordinate the effort with faculty or support staff? Do you keep a record of the conversations?
I agree that keeping the dream alive is key to empowering the student to persist and stay on track to make it. The day they enroll they have the dream alive. We need to constantly draw it out of them again in their own words. Why are you here? The student should be answering that question every module to remind themselves. I never settle for a short answer such as 'to get a better job'. I re-probe, even when I alrady got the answer from the student in the admission interview. Why do you want a better job? What have your previous jobs lacked that makes you want to move on to this? Do you want better income, security, better hours, upward mobility, etc? Really ask the student to explain over and over again why they are here by re-examing their past and having them describe the future they desire. Then link the past and future together into the why now and why here question so the can visualize the path to success! Reinforce accomplishments, even as short term as passing a two week intro course, to remind them of their forward progess towards a new future and to let them see the growing distance from their past.
some times they loose course, and they need to be realign on their thoughts, this is needed to help them be succesful.
My version is to ask where they would like to be after they graduate. I generally use survey questions and am careful not to step on the dreams.
In each of the classes that I teach I always ask the students to tell everyone what there plans are after they graduate. Were they plan on living and working. Do they wnat to return to thier home area or move eslewhere. This keeps them thinking about the goal ahead.
What's the next step after an instructor is identified as not caring?
I always refer back to a gem that they learned in jump start.it is a story about building the source to build the resource. They are the source and by attending uti the are building the resource
I agree that sometimes a constant reminder as to what brought them here and why is a good start for them. And then reinforce that with the understanding that every Instructor here is here because we want to make a differnce in there lives for the better. I hear it from students constantly that they know who are the Instructors that really care and those who don't. I allways follow up by reminding them that as in the field sometimes our methods are not the same but does that mean that the job does not get done well. and that that method inparticular should not be taken as an indicator as to wether an Instructor cares or not .the end result should speak for it self. did you learn in that course or not ?? the answer I get back after is usualy YES.
I feel that reinforceing the reason for thier commitment to attend school is something that we cannot let slide, just because they are here. Every course we have to encourage our students to revisit their dream and realize that they are one course closer to achiveing it. You cannot achieve success if you do finish the tasks that are required to get you there.
I agree with everyone about reinforcement of their goals, short and long term. Also what they can accomplish after they finish their education here and move out into the world. Remind them how short the time they are here compared to the time they will work. To keep they focus on the things they are doing short term then by the time they think about it the long term has arrived. Give them positive reinforcement alot and often.
Keeping the dream alive is so very important to the students. People get distracted easy and then have a hard time getting back on track. By keeping the students goals alive and encouraging them to achieve their goals students can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
I absolutely agree, with all the issues that arise during their education process it gets easier and easier for them to lose their focus. It is very important for us to help them remember what they came here for.
The facilitators have the new students make goals (short & long term) during the first couple of days of their education experience. I frequently ask students to re-visit and update their goals to make sure they are grounded and on the right course.
I couldn't agree more Steve. When talking with my students I can't believe how many of them are the first ones in their families to go beyond a high school diploma. I try share with them how proud their families will be upon graduation and how proud that I will be of them for accomplishing their dream.
I agree and think that by contstantly asking them to restate why they are going to school will keep reminding them what is driving them to be the best that they can be.
