Sharing is Essential to Life
To me, sharing is a key service that I offer my students. I heard a statistic once that 90% of people today have NO ONE with whom they can share their feelings, thoughts, and the like in a way that is open, honest, and nonjudgmental.
We live in a society that is the most connected through social networking, with literally millions of people with whom we can reach out and talk, even if we want to do so anonymously. But yet, as connected as we are, we are the most socially detached group in human history.
And we wonder why we have an addiction problem in this country?
Instructors and supervisors, learn how to be a counselor now. It's essential, particularly in the career college sector where the clientele is more apt to have deferred to alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, food, or whatnot to handle their problems, rather than having someone to share with.
And if you are in the 90% of people who have no one with whom to share, that should go right to the top of your priority list. /rab
Rick, I do find it helpful to be honest about my concerns in the job. So far, I have not been fired as long as I express my concerns tactfully.
Lisa, Sounds like you have found a great outlet in simply having a change of pace. That's great to hear. Yes, while it may be counter-intuitive to think that hanging out with teenagers or a new baby would be relaxing, it probably helps you get away.
Dr. Melissa Read
I have found that when a student does come to you with their stressors and you can connect with them it lets them know that they are not alone or the only one who has been through this. This also helps to create a bond. Sharing technniques and suggestions for relieving and/or reducing stress may be helpful to both parties.
In my personal experiences sometimes just doing something like hanging out with my kids (older 18 and 20) and their friends is rejuvenating. I also like to take care of my nieces baby for a while then give her back. My hobbies are also helpful including exercise and baking....
Mr. Butler, your points are well taken. I am amazed at the number of students who have little in the way of support systems to share with others things that stress them to the point of being ill. Although in today's society, when we are told not to intervene in someone's "life", so to speak, we are doing those folk an injustice. There have benn times personally that if I had not shared stressful things with concerned, nonjudgemaental freinds or colleagues, I would have been so worse for wear. I still am of the opinion that it does a take a village to reais a child, even an adult one, like myself.
Darlene, These are inspiring words and so true! The one-to-one connection that instructors make with students can be life changing. Our roles are critical. We want to be able to leverage technology to amplify our success in enriching students lives. At the same time, we want to make sure that technology does not take away from the connection that is so critical to our success with them.
Dr. Melissa Read
I totally agree with Rick and the 90% statistic is very understandable. Social networking does allow us to communicate with anyone all over the world, but this technology has come with the price of our day to day human connection. We are losing our ability to interact with each other on a very human level. We as educators have a responsibility to make ourselves available to our students to share any issues they may have and give them the resources needed to continue their journey in life. How many of us owe a debt of gratitude because a teacher made a difference in our life? What an honor it is to be in a position that you could make that difference.
In one of the classes that I teach I have the student in the last 5 minutes write in a journal. They can write about anything. At the end of the week I tell them they can turn them in or not. Those that turn them in I read and see if I can help in anyway or are they just talking about the class. This gives the student a good way to talk to someone with out facing them.
Cory, So true. Sometimes just getting things off our chest is a great way to clear our minds and effectively get back to work. Sometimes it's hard to work when we are too stressed and we've got to take care of what we feel first.
Dr. Melissa Read
I cannot agree more. I often have students whom I caome to find hav eno one to turn to and I work very hard to let them know that I can be thier sounding board. I find once they open up their performance usually increases.
Rick, These are such great points. Thanks for sharing both these statistics as well as the perspective. I couldn't agree more. We really do need more sharing and connection in our society. There are several benefits. First, it really serves as a great outlet and can reduce stress. Second, it can help set expectations that others have of us in times of great stress.
Dr. Melissa Read
