We also need them to be resposnible, I have students phone in when absent, getting them use to doing this as they would on the job. This means having someone else phone if they've been hospitalized etc.. I have 32 students, would be tough to call them daily. As many as 6 may be absent in a day!
Hi Therese,
Right you are about being a support to your students. Many times our students find
themselves in educational settings that can be trying at best. They are going back to
school to change their lives, while life continues to swirl around them. It is like trying to roller skate down a bobsled run. There are sides to the run to give general direction but the real challenge is to keep the wheels on the ice not crash.
We as instructors may be the only stable point these students have in their lives. As you mentioned the single mothers are trying to run their homes, care for their children, and make satisfactory progress in their school work. What a tremendous job of balancing. With a kind word, illustration of progress, and reward a long the way, instructors can have major impact on these learners.
Your use of student groups to work on projects while providing support is good. Peer support is very important. I have successful graduates with like kinds of backgrounds come into my classes and speak about how they completed school and are progressing in their careers. These individuals show the students how they can do it if they will continue to stay in school and work at their studies.
You have a clear picture of the need, keep up the caring.
Gary
In my 20 years experience I have realized how many times we are the ONLY support the students have. Many are single mothers with not much else going for them. We have "teams" of students designed to work together on projects and basically be a support for each other while they are here.
Therese Vogel
Hi Michelle,
As you well know the key to a successful career college is student retention and placement. In order for this to occur instructors have to have a strong rapport with their students. As you learned in the Module, students need to know that someone cares about them and their success. As instructors we have to develop different ways of showing that we care about student success. This can be done through reward programs as well as grades. Encouragement is always welcomed. A kind word or a simple note of support often times makes the difference between retention and dropping out. In working with non-traditional students traumatic events occur in their lives that are often missed until the students “crash†in our courses. We need to be observation to changes in our students and work to be supportive when these changes occur. It is a fine line we walk between being intrusive and supportive. Instructors of excellence have developed strategies for walking this very thin line.
What strategies do you use to show your students that you care about them?
Gary
