RETENTION
I agree with Truit Gaines, put aside all negative thoughts from your daily life. When I get out of my car in the morning, I will see several students on my way into the building, I greet every student with a smile. If I know the student, I will ask what class they are in and ask how they are doing. If a student is having difficulty, I will ask if there is anything I can do to help.
Roger,
You make a good point here. A big part of retention is making students feel like they are a part of something important and special.
Jeffrey Schillinger
atention = retenion, yes. just by saying a frendly hello how are you doing. by paying even a little attention like greeting them will have an effect on the students, they feel they are welcome and belong, most people like to feel they belong to what ever they a part of.
Take an interest in the student by learning his or her name. Find out where he or she is from. Do you have prior experience? What type of work do want to do when you graduate? Watch grades closely; observe the students in lab. Help them with problems in lab. Show respect.
Thanks, Charles.
These are all tried and true methods of building rapport with students.
Some of the ways I so my students I care is by finding out where they are from their interests and motivations for being in my class. Meet them at the door when they arrive and say good bye to them at the end of the day.
Great post, James.
When I interact with a teacher, I always ask myself if I would like to have been in that class or if I would want my children in that class. My impression based on this post is "yes."
Your grandmother sounds like quiet a lady.
I always smile. I always talk as I walk. I even say off the wall things to students I greet every day, especially the ones who I have not had in class yet. For example, I may be walking down the hall between classes and strongly tell a student, "No running in the pool area" or "No diving in the shallow end" or "Please remain seated untill the captain turns off the seatbelt sign". This always brings a smile and before I know it they are greeting me with the same comments. Keeps them wondering what I'll say the next time I see them. Always leave my problems at the door. No matter what is going on in my personal life. There is a time and a place for everything and my personal problems do not belong on campus.
I try to think about a dentist for example. How would I feel laying in a chair with my dentist involved in a heated discussion with his assistant about a law suit between him and one of his patients? I'd be ready to get out of that chair! It's really not that different with students. They usually look up to you in some way and if you're buisy with details about your job or complaining about a student then they will ready to go too.
One of my most influential mentors was my Grandmother. She used to tell me that if I let the clouds gather around me, nobody will get close because they dont want to get wet, but if I let the sun shine on me, everyone will get close to feel the warmth of its rays. It's so very true. Our students have problems too, why dwell on daily life problems when we can create an environment on campus that is an escape from daily stress...a place that students look foward to comming to every day... I try to make this place, my place.
Thank, Patricia. I would guess that your students relate to you quite well.
I share experiences from when I was a student, new staff, and old timer on the job. All stories are meant to show empathy and sense of humor.
Thank you, Brian.
Other than learning and usins students' names, what are some other effective ways for a teacher to show that he or she cares?
I like to get to know students names I have found that if makes them more at ease. Once they get that feeling that you care and want to help it seems to keep want to stay in class when they have problems with the work in the class.
I honestly believe if you dont know your students by first name, then you are going to eventually lose them from the program. Knowing them by name and talking with them more, shows the student that you care.
I agree with Mr. Shaul, When I get off my motorcycle in the parking lot I smile and greet each employee and student I see. For the students, I ask how they are doing and if I can help with anything as far as tutoring or getting them to someone more knowledgeable than me.
Alcide,
What are some of your behaviors that clearly demonsrate to your students that you enjoy your job?
Showing you enjoy your job,and what your doing,while giving the students positive feedback,and showing you care about them will keep them coming back for more....
