Connecting with Every Student
The motto at our school is "Every Student - Every Day - Every Time."
For instructors, this means making a personal connection with every student in class every day. Making that connection can be as simple as greeting the student by name as he/she walks into class. Telephone calls to absent students to touch base with them, let them know what they missed, and letting them know they were missed!
For educational administrative staff, getting into the classrooms daily even if only for a few minutes to see what is going on, asking questions of students, participating briefly in a discussion, gives the students a sense of those they can go to when life starts to get in the way of school.
For other staff and managers, getting out among the students at breaks or lunch periods lets the students know that we are all committed to their success.
Personally, as I have gotten out of my office and into the hallways and classrooms, I feel I know our students better and they are more willing to come to me with questions.
Glad to hear that you feel such a responsibility to your students, Wendy. Is this a school policy and if so, is it part of a person's performance review?
I agree. It is important as an instructor to make sure you are in contact with each and everyone of your students everyday. If my students are not in class I am personally calling them on the phone or sending them an email to see why they are not in class. I feel it is the responsibility of all employees in the school to be in contact with all students regardless of their positions at the school.
Marco, what techniques do you use to engage quiet students? Do you specifically address the self esteem issue with students?
I find that every student has to be approached differently, and quiet students many times struggle with self esteem. When faced with these students, I work with them one on one to help them feel more comfortable and therefore less fearful.
Naturally, there are the "resources" that I formally recognize as "resources"; student services, Retention Officer, Counselor, Ed. Manager, Chief Instructor, etc. I have through use and familiarity become increasingly familiar with who to go to for what, and that helps my batting average. For early intervention, I guess that comes back to the culture I create in my classroom and the fact that I have a lot of one on one contact with my students. In a word, I have to earn their trust and that demonstrate to them that I truely care about there experience. If they are not enjoying themselves, they're learning experience takes a nose dive. Most recently, I view everything around me as a resource when it comes to meeting my students expectations. Yes, I have a curriculm that needs to be taught, but if I have an advanced student who doesn't feel challenged than I need to challenge that student
by presenting his/her hands-on tasks at a more advanced level. Conversely, If I have a student who's struggling I need assess how I can best lift them up either by tutoring or pairing them with an advanced student or spending more time with them myself.
What are some of the resources that have become available? Are they related to early identification of problems? Can they be used with similar effectiveness by others?
Denise,
Love the moto! I think for instructors that really want to and enjoy teaching, caring about the well being and learning experience of your students comes naturally. I spend the majority of my time assessing/teaching in a lab environment, so there is plenty of opportunity for one on one interaction with the students. What has helped me help my students the most has been a greater awareness/availability of resources at my disposal to impact the students perception of the school, the manufacturer, the curriculm... By early identification of a potential problem or stressfull situation and mobilizing the resources available to me, situations can be righted, stabilized and turned around with astounding results.
The President of our College, a priviate institution, has a sign on his door..not his name, but the word "Helper." This services as a very important communication of his philosophy and keeps us all grounded.
Yes I agree it's important for faculty and staff to connect with the students. In doing so it shows the student that staff is approachable and that we do care about them and they could come to us with their problems.
How do you engage the students while you are making your rounds, Samara? Do you speak with people who are by themselves or select groups to talk to?
I agree. As student services manager, I find it helpful to circle the halls daily and greet the students. This way they know you are here for them.
Great job, Natalie! How do you find the time to get so connected to your students?
Some of the ways that I personally attempt to connect with every student are, one, to greet each student by name when I see them; two, to often ask them if they are comfortable with the material we are covering (in a one-on-one setting); three, to listen to their questions and concerns and try my best to help them through whatever seems to be holding them back; and, four, to involve ALL students in classroom discussions. I find that this helps me get a better feel for the students who are "getting it" and those who are somewhat lost. It helps me to know which students might need more reaching out than others. I do these things because I genuinely want to see every student succeed.
No, believe me, our winners are not embarrassed by the attention. If I was to come upon a winner who I thought might not be able to "handle it," I would definitely pull them aside beforehand. Everyone is supportive and applaud for the name that is announced. I have never had a situation where a "Student of the Semester" did not use the parking space when they've earned it. And, no, that spot has never been vandalized either !!!
Jill, do you talk with the selected students about the award program? Do you ever have a 'winner' who is embarrassed by the attention? Are their classmates supportive or chide them as 'brown nosers'? Do you have students who don't use the parking space because they don't want the attention?
At our school every semester we have a "Student of the Semester." We have an assembly to announce the new student in front of the whole student body. The chosen student gets a parking spot up at the front of the school where a sign reads "Student of the Semester." They also receive a gift certificate to our bookstore and usually another little surprise. This motivates other students to want to earn this title and boosts morale for everyone involved.
Natalie, could share a few of your favorite ways of connecting with students each day? Thanks.
I feel that demonstration is the most effective way of teaching anything. If you make an effort to connect with every student daily, even in a small way, your students will be more likely to attempt to connect with you. They will be more likely to trust you when they have questions or concerns and will feel comfortable with you. As instructors, it is always our responsibility to set an example first in order to set a positive tone.
yes, I agree that it's important to see the students in classrooms, or on break. It's a great icebreaker and helps make them more comfortable with you,
