As most of us have stated in discussion here, there is a fine line. Remember, they came to us not because they didn't know they had a problem, they didn't know how to solve it. I believe most students want to know how and want to be given direction...they don't want us to perform the fix ourselves. I like to give suggestions, probe so I can promote open communication, but I never give the suggestions as ultimate answers. Give them the tools to decide. Document everything. I've been in situations where you give a kid a hug because you know they are hurting and the next thing you know you have a stalker situation. Be careful...care, help but be professional. I'd love to feed everyone of them, get gas in their cars etc., but eventually, I'd be in the same boat as they are now. If you can't do it for all, don't do it for one...as hard as it is. I know I wasn't in the shoes of the one who brought the student home, but I'd be real nervous about how that could evolve into a potential lawsuit real easy. Also, can you do that for every student?
How do you determine where that line is, Marion? Is it different for different students or different faculty/staff?
I feel when we get personal sometimes we are too involved. We should make sure the student is safe in their enviroment, but as far as bringing them home you should draw a line.
Sometimes when you get too involved,you can wander away from the things you were trying to acheive in the first place.
Sometimes it's very hard to maintain that line, Davida. Keep up the good work.
I feel the same...I really care about my students overall...I love when they really get involved in their studies...I dont have to tell them when to study...they bring back new ideas or want to do a project. Watching them grow as a person can be so rewarding. I try not to get involved in my students personal life...but it is hard especially if it's causing them to lose focus on school. I have given students money to get back and forth to school( lunch money) and try to counsel them along with another staff members(DOE)...just to try to keep that line of
professionalism.
How do you determine when to get involved and when to maintain some distance, Efrain? What is the appropriate “distance�
Yes, You can get to involved. There has to be some distance or you will get sucked in and be of no use to any of your students.
Student support services also come into play, Donna. Students who have issues that go beyond the normal relationship with a faculty member may be able to get support from others in the organization.
Donna, does your institution have any guidelines? Is the topic covered in new faculty orientation or faculty in-service training?
Sometime it's hard, Rochelle, to find an appropriate balance between the many roles that faculty members play. When is it appropriate to intervene and when should we stay out of a student's personal affairs? I would be interested in learning whether participants' schools have developed any guidelines.
Yes we want to give our all to our student but there is a fine line. You have to know where to draw the line. Getting involved in our students personal lives happen but the extent should not be any further than in school.
There are many times when I would like to do more for those students that have personal issues. After teaching for a few years, I now try to keep my involvement at a more professional level. I have helped my students get the strength to enter rehab programs, relocate to safe houses when they are in danger, find child care and counsel them when they are discouraged in day-to-day life.
Bringing someone into your home, Stephanie, certainly goes beyond the normal call of duty. How did it work out? Would you do it again? If so, under what circumstances?
