Are We In More Than One Business?
Some career educators state that in addition to being in the education business, we are also in the "mental health" business. Do you agree or disagree? Why?
Yes we are, students look up to us, they want to be as good as we are, we set the sample of life for them.
I agree that yes in some ways we are in the "mental health" business. In order to let our students know that we care we must be able to support them in their daily interactions. This often involves counseling them on personal issues as well as academic.
We all need a lift up every now and then. So yes, I do agree we are in the "mental health" business. Sometimes listening to the student vent can help them see thing in a different light and help them to get back on track with there education.
Absolutely! We are in the business of changing lives! Sometimes we are supporters and motivators, the shoulder, the kick in the butt. We do what we need to in order to be who or what a student needs us to be.
Laura,
You make a very important point. Teachers and administrators have to recognize when a student needs a counselor as opposed to needing some advise.
Jeffrey Schillinger
If definitely seems there is a trend upwards in the number of students in need of mental health support these days. I also feel that we as educators need to be better prepared for identifying these students and of have resources to share with them. However, I think there is a boundary line that we ought be very cautious about and have a good sense of our own limitations.
We have to make sure that learners have a safe, healthy, and productive place to learn every day.
I disagree. A person's mental health should be in good shape before enrolling in a school. Students who are not in great mental shape will eventually dropout. Mentoring and encouragement is one thing the mental health business is something totally different. We have a moral responsibility to all of our students. We need good business practices in place to assist us with customers who need more than just the learning that takes place in our campus. Consider this example, you take your car in for new tires, the tire mechanic sees that you need to get an alignment but he does not perform alignments. He knows that you will need new tires again within 6 months without an alignment. Great customer service would be to let you know that you need an alignment first before selling you the tires. Poor customer service is to sell you tires even though the salesman knows you should get an alignment first.
Agreed as well. Many of my discussions with Students are guidance on subjects other than direct classroom issues.
Although we are not mental health professionals, there is a certain measure of truth to your statement. It is important that we are sensitive to the outside factors that can affect a student's ability to stay on and focus in school. I think I would prefer the terms "life changing and wellness" over mental health. Sometimes all a students needs to is for someone to listen and believe in him or her that they can succeed.
Great post, Ralph. This is a great description of what should be expected from career college faculty members.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I do agree that we are in the "mental health" business as well as being educators. When I was an instructor, I would have a least one student in every class that was experiencing life issues. In some cases, it was a younger student who was away from home for the first time and was dealing with a case of home sickness. With other students it was "the roommate", "the girlfriend", and other various issues. I would listen to their concerns or issues, and try to provide the most positive and motivating response as possible. Along with these responses, I would offer my advise and if possible, relate their issues to a life experience that I encountered. This was a successful interaction more times than not. If they were experiencing something out of my league, I would refer them to the right person or department to speak to.
I certainly agree. Many students will approach me with personal issues or problems looking for someone to vent to or for a bit of advice. Some educators are not comfortable with this, but I used to be a bartender and I am used to listening to my customers. This also helps in the sense that attention=retention!
I agree wholeheartedly! We are constantly acting as educators, psychologists, mentors, family, disciplinarian, etc. It is the balance needed to really reach a student and make the information relevant to his or her life. It's actually one of the best careers for work appreciation.
I most definitely agree. While we may not be providing traditional therapy, working with students requires understanding and consideration of emotions, thoughts and behavior. So much of education involves understanding and helping the student beyond just imparting information.
John,
What are the toughest non-academic issues one of your students have brought to you?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I would have to agree that we are in more than one business. As an Instructor i have worn many hats on any given day from marrage counslor, teacher, parent, life counslor is by far my favorite. I do believe that one of my favorites things to tell students is that I am here to teach you a craft and my goal is that you are employable. Things like following recipes, showing up on time or five minutes early, listening and being part of the team or soft skills they need in the workplace.
I can agree with this assessment. Truth is that most students have life issues that they are unprepared for, and many of them turn to their educators for guidance in these matters. School is a place where many student feel safe knowing that they can talk to almost anyone without judgement from them, in this was we become mental health specialists. It Takes some doing sometimes but getting that student to stay on track with their educational goals, is more mental encouragement than anything.
Daisy,
I agree 100%. I would just add one more E to your list :)
Educate
Engage
Encourage
Enlite
Thanks again for your post it was very encouraging to me as an educator
