BJ,
I really appreciate this post. It is important for us to realize that our students face some incredible challenges, just like you did. Linking them with other student and staff that they can see as "similar others" will go a long way toward helping them be successful.
I do the same. I lost my daughter while in graduate school and almost dropped out. Prior to that I was a working mother of three trying to finish my degree. I feel like I can relate to students - especially women - who like me are first generation college attendees. It also helps to pair students who may be struggling with students who can say 'been there, done that'. Our peer mentoring program has been successful because our successful veteran students have a lot to offer and make good role models.
This is definitely something I overlooked my first few years of teaching. Now, I have tried to help students work on identifying their goals right away. I have also had a lot of luck with having the students identify any obstacles they think might get in their way right off the bat and then we work out solutions or plans to overcome the obstacles. I have a lot of success with pairing up brand new students with students that have been in the program longer, that are also successful in class (not necessarily straight A students, but good overall role models).
I will ask my students to be pro-active, and then model that behavior.
Thanks, Lori!
What are some things you do to help build EQ in your students?
I agree. I think they have to clearly see that vision and have the heart or EQ to achieve it. EQ is much harder to develop in the long run - than IQ!
Thanks, Kevin!
It is a good thing to show your students that you have experienced what they are experiencing and have accomplished what they are looking to accomplish.
I share with the students my experiences to let them know that I had some of the same struggles they may be having now. To encourage them to keep trying
I share my personal feelings to some extent and experiences and encourage my students to share with their fellowclassmates and myself.
I teach healthcare courses, so I also make sure that my students remember to work with kindness, compassion, courtesy, and respect with patients.
Ginger Little
I try to help the students acheive some level of success in each class or exercise. By providing postive constructive feedback the students learn and gain confidence. This helps to build their EQ
Thank you, Donna.
Librarians can play a very big role in the success of a school's retention program. Good librarians provide a level of non-threatening support that many students need. They see Librarians like you as a go to resource who has no agenda except to help them be successful.
I have seen Librarians work with faculty teams to develop "standard" practices for written assignments in their schools. Once everyone follows these practices, the Librarians can provide assistance certain to align with what teachers expect.
I am a librarian, and manage the students all day long. When my help is needed I always try to be empathetic and help the students with whatever the problem is. Weither the printer is not printing, their program is not coming up, or help deciding where to get their info for a paper. Their seems to be a lot of frustrations, and feelings of not being able to do their work the way the teacher needs it done.
I try to show calmness and compassion with words, and body language. I believe in modeling and have always practiced this approach. They see that I am helping, and not judging and relax, which helps them in turn do what it is they need to do.
Troy,
EQ typically refers to soft skills rather than competencies like veinapuncters. What do you do to help students develop their soft skills?
In the Allied health field these skills can be honed during the clinical or externship phases of training. This is where the working skills of their profession can be developed , for instance perormimg successfull veinapuncters.
Encourage student they can get through this and meet the goals they want. All things we do in life will have obstacles however always let the student know they can get through it. If they always hear this it can change their EQ and they just may start believing in themselves more
The things that happen in the work world are good learning lessons.
I tell stories of my own experience in the field.
Some of the stories that have the greatest effect are the trails, and tribulations of the work place.
Some days everything goes right, and some days it goes wrong, but most of the time it’s somewhere in between.
This is a great way to approach our students. Thanks, Rocco.
I believe telling stories is a good way to develope high EQ. We have many first generation students and they don't have role models or sometimes believe they are the only person in the world who is struggling. By bringing in guest speakers to share their stories of success and failure often helps students see that they can also make it. They often see themselves in the story of the guest speaker.
We share success stories of past graduates, but for a more personal declaration we also encourage our graduates to return and speak to new classes about their experiences at school and now after graduating. It helps our new students hear it directly from the source and gives them much more to look forward to
Deanne,
What are some of the most common responses you get when you ask this question?
