time frame
So is there a certain time frame in the semester when you should be looking for contact with the student? Is it closer to mid-way through the semester...?
I always try to start out my Course by letting the students know that there is always help available to them. Weather it be before they find themselves in trouble or after. I feel that it is important to let them know that we are there to help them through the tough times. A good positive and friendly attitude can also help to build a strong student teacher bond. That also seems to help the student come forward and accecpt the help.
You need to get to know your students from the first day they walk into your classroom. We greet our students at the door and get a feel of how their day is going. This helps set the tone for the day with a thoughtful greeting and to gauge if there is any problems the student might be having.
Patricia, could you share some examples of how you accomplish this with your students, please?
It is important to treat all students as individuals and to take the time to listen and encourage them to find the answers.
I believe that the time frame for contacting students should be start right away not as to bug them but to ensure them that you are there when help is needed. Also to make sure that they understand the proper people to contact when or if a problem arises.
I believe that you must be in touch with students from the moment they enter the school. Many students encounter unexpected problems starting on the first day: transportation or child care problems, financial pressures, balancing their time between school, work and family, etc. If you wait until some artifically determined date that is convenient to the schedule of the staff and faculty, you may have lost the student.
Some students require more support than others; some will be offended by what they deem as too much contact. The key is to have a system in place that is flexible enough to be readily accessible without being intrusive.
