dealing with student isues outside of class
one thing that is hard to get used to is how to deal with student isues out side of class. i find it is nessacary to be a good listener and not try to fix there problems but show you care
try to remind the student that although we are in school it is wise to keep personal life outside of school and work in future to keep professional and not allow clients to get into personal business.
I agree that students must learn to separate their home issues from that of the education. But I also realize that many of these students do not have the coping mechanisms to be able to separate the two. I had one student who I dropped in her capstone as she had such personal issues that she claimed that her life had been threatened and she had to move out of state for a while. When I asked for law enforcement documentation she could not provide any.
I have inherited a small group of students that were not held accountable for their attendance nor their behavior. Instead of passing them for their term, I have either dropped their grades accordingly or failed them. Yet, they still seem to allow the distractions in their lives maintain control. My institution also provides a student assistance program to assist them in personal or financial matters.
I am amazed at how instructors today become sounding boards for student problems. I would have never considered sharing so much with my instructors when in school. It is a shift in our culture. The students know that my door is always open. What I do is listen and ensourage them to be able separate their personal from their work and school so that they can tackle what is right in form of them at theat given time.
I agree, I think you should listen to them and then refocus them back to the subject your teaching.
Hi Tina,
WE are going to always have problems! Students have to learn how to make the seperation. No one wants to hear about your problems on the job.
Patricia Scales
ALL of my students seem to have issues at home/work/boyfriend/etc. I routinely remind them that when we walk through the classroom doors, we need to leave everything else outside. Everyone has their own issues, and we have to learn how to not let it affect school when you are here.
