I love the ideas that were presented where you are free to think outside the box. I appreciate music and have used it in the classroom to calm students down before taking an exam. I also love telling good stories with a purpose. It's a great way to get students to remember important concepts. I think these things make a teacher "real" to students and hopefully they will feel comfortable approaching the instructor with issues that may come up. These things are a great way to "connect" with students.

My office is a safe place for students who are discouraged, frustrated or upset to come for a "time out". They know it's a place where they will not be judged and where they can vent their frustrations and/or fears. They will find a listening ear and suggestions/advice upon request. It's also a place to share good news and happy times! The most important thing is that whatever discussion takes place will be kept in confidence and will not be "spread" around. Honestly, some colleagues find it beneficial and use my safe place as well!

I find this to be a wonderful start to a retention module. Like many others in education, I am responsible for many organizational tasks and sometimes find myself glued to my office chair. I love the idea of connecting with 5 students at least once per week to create a bond. This is a good way to get me away from my desk--and can also keep the true purpose of my job in perspective...the students!!!

The part of my job I take the most seriously is treating students with care and immediate respect, and many times this works well in developing a good relationships. The negative side to that (for me)is setting boundaries. I want students to feel welcome and sincerely cared for, but sometimes that leads to me being walked over - or to students not respecting me. Do you have any tips on maintaining boundaries/discipline while still showing kindness and acceptance to students? I know this is an integral part of the 3 Ms, and I'd really like to develop those skills. Thank you.

Students want to be safe and comfortable in their learning environment and they want a sense of belonging. Often times as instructors we miss some small non-verbal ques from the students that they feel as though they don't belong.When this happens we need to realize this and make adjustments

I have found that many times the very things our faculty and staff want to hold our students accountable for, they arent doing themselves. I have often told my Department Chairs that they are the faces of their particular program and that the students they teach will take on the personality of their leader. It is the paying attention to detail that allows us to find the needle in the hay stack.

I think the first key element to a successful retention program is to first figure out who on your faculty and staff are supportive in your quest to improve your current situation.

I have found that probably the biggest mistake we make as educators is we tend to have an "I want to fix it" attitude and alot of times the students simply just want someone to vent to.

Stress is what you encounter when you are unprepared for a particular set of circumstances that find their way into your world. How you deal with these circumstances many times will determine your stress level.

It has been my experience that retention is similar to someone shopping at a chosen store. If you maintain that customer, then they have bought into what you are selling. When you lose a student, just like when you lose a customer, they no longer are interested in your product. Even though at this time it can be difficult, you have to find out why.

If you show your glad they are there and you really want to help the be sucessful and show an interest in them you are off to a great start. I don't mean you let them run the class but with a plan to help them get started on the right path you are going to be someone the students can relate to and feel they can come to you for help. Have a plan to involve them in the class.

It's very important to have faculity at orientation so the new students can put a face with the dept. Take the fear out of meeting with a professor. With a diverse group the students will see that the faculity is really just like them and if they come off in a positive attitude the students will become at ease. If you show you care it will go a long way!

Just because a student is taking a certain subject or getting a degree in ie Art that doesn't mean they will get everything they need from the art department. How about general ed dept. The math or English dept. etc. They will all have something that the student can use in there everyday life to make doing things easier. You may be an Art student but you'll need to know how to use a computer to do research and find everyday needs. How about the business dept.? You'll need to know how to protect your money when you become a famous artist.

A student is more likly to stay if they are challenged and shown that by taking this course they will benefit in the long run for it. If they ask, "what will I get from this course" and the ansewer is something that makes sense they will stay.

I have learned that my classroom demeanor has a major impact on retention. Getting students involved to place them in their comfort zone is critical.

As a part of my new job as retention coordinator, it's my privilege to teach the introductory Career Development class. In this class we discuss various topics that may be life changing for students who haven't been exposed to topics like study habits, using technology, dealing with stress, time management, careers, diversity and relationships, positive self talk and affirmations. This allows me to connect with each new student (I plan to become involved to some degree in the sections that I'm not teaching)and share vital information for personal and professional success in addition to developing a relationship with each one. I'm hoping for great outcomes!

Colleges should try and use more formative assesments to help especially weak students

We give the student advisements if they miss class so they always know where they stand.

This way there is no confusion if you ask them to change something because they are not following the rules.

Make the student feel more comfortable in the classroom, and they can relax and learn what they need to.