Perspective
It's difficult to fully understand the stresses associated with urban students, who are involved in legal trouble, custody battles, and issues that I personally don't have experience with. What's the best way to guide these students?
Certainly instructors shouldn't "take on our students stress"; generally instructors can't relieve student's stress anyway. The makes developing and demonstrating empathy even more important.
I agree it is not appropriate to take on our students stress. If we do not have the answers for their particular situation, we should guide them to the proper resources within the community. I think sometimes instructors can be empathetic to the point where they are taking on way more than is necessary or healthy.
Yes, as instructors we should not try to be every student's counselor. Our job is to educate and encourage them to help themselves, and when they need additional support send them to the right department or person in the school or community to assist their needs. Taking on student problems adds to our personal stress as an instructor.
It's not possible to solve everyone's problems all the time, Amanda. By being vigilant you can be very effective in directing students to solutions.
I have recently started teaching students I feel
Like have these type of issues and was wondering how to deal
With it .. Good to know its ok to get them support
Elsewhere ..
Kisha I agree. I see a lot of instructors trying to help solve issues they are not qualified to solve or give advice. It is always best to point the students in the right direction and get them on a more successful path.
Good point of leading students to a place much more suitable in helping them with their various needs. Just by you lending a listening ear and giving direction would mean a lot to a student who may feel they have no one to turn to or who will simply be open to helping them can and will go a long way.
Great point, Amy. The problems that students encounter are basic human issues, framed within the context of their environment. Likewise, at their root, the solutions are fundamental and common.
Hi Stephen,
I can assure you those particular stressors are not limited to students in urban environments. We live on the edge of a county/rural environment and each of the descriptors you name are common problems here as well. My response is to send them to the student resources center for advice on matters not dealing with their educational progress. I really limit myself to helping only in matters of education while letting the student know that I do care.
Stephen, does your institution have a well trained student services department? How about a working relationship with external social service agencies that specialize in the problems that your students are experiencing?
Even though you don't have personal experience with many of these issues, you can work effectively with your students if you have adequate supporting resources.
