John,
It is a good sign when students feel comfortable coming to you with personal problems looking for advise. We need to be sure we provide advise and not try to serve as a counselor.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I know that there are several students that I teach that will confide in me, because they trust my judgement and because they see me as a caring mentor. So yes we do deal with mental health issues.
We do serve multiple purposes, we need to build confidence, self esteem and improve on their current skills. Working with a diversified group that range in age there are many obstacles that vary from "away from home" issues to single parent challenges. It is often difficult to stay removed from these issues and find a balance.
I believe that this is a true statement. It is part of the function of each individual the student comes in contact with the believe in the student and help them believe in themselves. Some students have great potential which has never been realized because no one has cared enough to show them they can be successful. If all the successful people in the world listened to those negative people in their lives, many of the conveniences and technology we enjoy today would not be present. Education is not only a business for providing education, but for building up individual people who can be productive and give back to their community and global society.
Steve,
What are some specific things you do help the students see beond past challenges and get on track?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Yes I agree, some students have to be persuaded to learn because of other things that have affected their lives, so we as educators need to be able to see beyond that and help to get them on the right track .
I would have to agree, for us to be in the buisiness of changing lives requires that there be customers who want to change their own lives. The motivation for a life change could be financially driven, personal improvement, or just a desire for something different. Whatever the reason, the students see it as a way to improve their current situation and become happy (happier?). I'm no mental health expert, but increasing your happiness sure seems like a step in the right direction for mental health.
We are in more than a business. I agee we are in the "mental health " business as well. It's true, some students come with a lot of baggage, emotionally and mentally. We as faculty and staff will need to help them sort out some of these issues that seem such a burden. Many of the adult students must learn to balance school, home and work. They may feel alone in trying to handle this. I let my students know from day one about this possible balance issue and let them know I am here to help.
Good point, Juliana. We need to friendly without being a friend. We need to refer students to counselors when needed unless we are licensed counselors. We advise and we listen. It makes a difference.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree. So many times, as a part of being a Mentor, you have to listen to your students and their personal struggles, and let them know that you care.
What's important is to keep a professional distance. Be caring, but to not cross an inappropriate boundary. We are here to mentor, instruct, and help them succeed, but not to be their personal friend.
I agree. Most of my students are veterans. They come back from overseas with at times, short fuses. They haven't yet aclimated to civilian life or ediquite. It's our job to handle these issues when it arises
Carlos,
What are some specific things you do in your classroom to prepare students for "real world situations?"
Jeffrey Schillinger
As educators we must follow many guidelines and programs provided by the institution, at the same time we must also relate the program to what the student will encounter in the field, we must mentally and physicaly prepare the student for "real world" situations.
I agree, because I belive we help our students to reach there dreams and goals by bringing real world expereance to the classroom, therfore there dreams become that much more attainable.
Yes I Agree, we are in the business of educating, counseling, and motivating our students. It's not just about educating we have to pay attention to all details in order to keep the students happy and motivated to come to school.
Christopher,
What are some specific things you do to help students develop this positive mindset?
Jeffrey Schillinger
James,
We used to call this "cathing them doing something well." It makes a difference.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I fully agree. Being a successful student is more about have a positive mindset about learning, as oppossed to particularly good at a given subject.
I for one, feel that I can be good at any given job, task, or subject matter that I choose to accomplish. This is because I have conditioned myself (with the help of educators of course) to believe this way. As a result, I seek to learn about various subject matter.
Management of one's "mental health" is definitely a task that I feel educators should take upon themselves, no matter the type of educational environment in which they work.
Mental health of stusent very important. We help by listening to problims. We are seeing many problems and helping and listening when we can.
We have to show them how to have self confidence and think they are good at what they do. they need to believe in themselfs if they want to succeed
