Get Your Students Hired
Do you ever confer with colleagues about how to handle unusual student circumstances, Don? A different perspective may lead to a creative solution.
Being able to discern what is in your realm of expertise as far as when to direct the student to a counselor is one's personal call.
When a school tells students "we care" they implicitly accept some responsibility to act accordingly. Listening proactively is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate that commitment. Taking the second step of connecting the student with is the point that separates the good from the great.
remember there are to many laws about what we can and can not do. If a students wants to talk to you (and they come up with some strange stuff), listen and take it from there. You may want to refer them to another person who is capable of dealing with that concern. Just wanting to listen seems to help out a great deal, or even knowing how to get them in touch with the right people is a bonus sometimes for them.
I think that students may tell an instructor about personal issues because of the trust most place in the instructor. It is the instructor's responsibility to guide the student to the appropriate support personnel in order to solve the problem.
Hello Tim! I am there to listen and respond vaguely and only coach so they may find there solutions based on tools provided. The tools provided may assist them in solving personal isues however I avoid probing into personal issues.
I agree, you have to stay objective when dealing with student issues. It's easy to want to solve problems for them, but that won't help them in the long run.
I think the fine line is variable, by that I mean you can never predict what problem a student
may present to you. If they are coming to you that is good "I guess" because that means they trust you. However "personally in past jobs" I have been approached with many issues that were clearly out of my capacity to assist with. (Suicide, marital problems, diseases,drug use ect, ect) In these cases I could only listen or point them in the right direction, which is usually what the persons wanted anyhow.
How does that happen at your school? Are students aware of the services or referral resources available through the school?
I agree with you I believe that people that are having personal problems if they don't feel like talking to a professor should jus seek professional help.
I believe that how much is too much depends on the person's role and personal make-up. Clearly there are issues that should be referred only to a professional counselor.
Other issues may be inappropriate for a faculty member to become involved with. It is important that those evaluating a student's performance be able to do so objectively. It is probably better to refer non-academic issues to support staff.
I hope others will also respond.