In my experience, maintaining retension has come in the form of creating a fun but challenging environment. Instructor personallity plays a big part in retension. The ability to connect with all students through light humor and engage them in learning is definately a skill worth attaining.

It is vital for all departments have a shared goal or vision. Each department plays its own role in achieving it, but everyone is "rowing" is the same direction toward success.

I believe that a student beleiving in themselves is one of the most important attributes for success. If a student believes in themselves, I can teach them the techniques. If a student doesn't, it is as if they are not listening.

I am a big believer that the more successful our students are, the more successful the school will be. It only makes sense to do everything we can to help students succeed, including helping them see it for themselves.

External Customers are just has important has the students. The reason is because if the students cannot seek employment then why would they show up for school to start.

Customer service is simple. Treat people like you want to be treated. In our adult education, people come from large versified background with life experience. Must of our students, you give them an outstanding product (Knowledge) with respect makes great customer service. On the down side though, you mistreat the customer (the student) you now have poor customer relations.

I believe it is very important for students to have a mentor. It will help them know what it takes to succeed. Both the Mentor and the Mentee, so to speak, benefit from the relationship.

I have my new students start working on their resumes during the first few weeks of school. That way they are already thinking about the future and can focus on adding skills to the resume as they proceed.

I believe one should begin with the end in mind. I mention to my new students how wonderful the graduation ceremony is and invite them to imagine themselves walking across the stage. Then I tell them to keep that thought in mind if times get rough.

I have always strived to have more advanced students help mentor the new students. The new student will feel more comfortable working with another student and they both benefit from the relationship.

I believe it is important for the prospective student to truly understand what the profession they are entering is all about. Not what they think it is about, or what their friends think it is, but what it actually is.

We are absolutely in it to change lives, but I know I work for a for profit school, so, if they do not make money, some one will lose their job, and it could be me. Everyone needs to work as a team for the students, after all, isn't that why we are all here?

I highly agree with Mentoring and getting to know your students. I have had many students tell me, if I had not encouraged them and helped them think outside the box, they would have dropped out. Many of the students we are teaching need not only the education in the chosen field, but a lot of times, professional and life skills. I know, sometimes, I forget that. Some of these students have very difficult lives and are just barely making it to class.

We encourage Instructors to Ask students why are they here and what do they expect to get out of this class on the first day of class ..

Our Instructors always talk about all the different jobs they can have and all of the different types of work in the field.

I tell my Instructors they are much more than just teachers of our particular subject. We have to serve in so many additional roles. Cheerleader, mentor, advocate, adviser, role model, tutor, etc. When you get this combination right your students are successful.

We contact our students when they are absent from class on a daily basis to express our concern about their absence.

Here are just a few thoughts. First are we as instructors just chasing numbers for record keeping purposes? Second is there a real problem in holding back students that do not perform as expected?

As an instructor at a technical school, we see a lot of students who have become obsessed with the idea of becoming a automotive technician. So much so, that they take on a large debt trying to complete our program. Their intentions are solid in signing up, but after a few classes many, almost half, drop out. Viewing this phenomenon from the inside gives a lot of insight, that many do not see. Some students struggle with basic comprehension, and the grasp of technical, and sometimes not so technical language, to the point that they feel lost. It seems our admissions department enrolls students who show interest, but may not have the ability, or strength to pursue this field. If you cannot read or write well, this industry will be hard for some. I think, at an instructors level, there is not much we can do but try and show the students how to succeed, but sometimes it proves too late.

I have mentioned this before, but if they are having fun, they are learning and will stay. I believe in this, I see this work and for todays students it is very important