First week after orientation Student Support team served ice-cream to all new students to welcome them and to introduce each other, let them know about the recources we provide for them.
1. Classroom visits by campus leadership team.
2. Schedule leadership team member informal interaction with students during breaks.
3. Set up meeting with State Department of Economic Security to lay ground work for partnership to support our students that have severe economic hardships leading to situations like homelessness.
To provide a classroom that is a positive and safe environment for learning and one that is acceptance of diversity; one that affords opportunities for success.
To continue to pay attention to each student as an individual - to be observant and respectful of any changes in a student’s demeanor.
To communicate and work as a team with other faculty, staff and administrators in order to ensure the retention and success of all students.
I will encourage students to maintain a positive outlook and to keep their goals in focus, I will try to make contact with each student and address them by name more frequently, I will quickly make referrals if issues are identified.
1. Let student know about support programs we have.
2. Talk with students on a more personal level about learning barriers.
3. Ask the class about issues they have having.
Praise the students for a job well done, hands on experience, availble when needed.
Monitor the quality of education within the classroom as well as the instructor's relationships with their students.
Acknowledge the students with awards of their performance throughout the term.
Offer the students a way to have their work on display for the public.
One thing is to let students know that I not only empathize with them on difficult material, I also use personal examples of my past failures and how I overcame them.
I know that I can't always relate well to every student as the "connection" is not always there. I will continue to try, but I will also discuss with the other instructors this problem and see if one of them can form the 'connection'.
Even though I am very busy - I will take the time to read the "cues" from the students and give them the opportunity to discuss issues with me.
I think that's true for some students, Jamie, but probably not all. Some people don't relish the recognition; others fear making a mistake and looking foolish in their minds.
Mentoring
Develop a better understanding of student needs
Impliment results from the mid course survey
I think it brings out a competitive nature to strive to have the most pins.
1. Positive reinforcement of acceptable behaviors
2. One on one discussions with struggling students
3. Kudos for students showing improvement
I plan on developing a better relationship with my students to the point wear they fell comfortable discussing problems and obstacles in their personal life that may affect their attendance, I plan on coaching my students on the importance of their attendance rate and how it can affect their financial aid, and finally make myself more available to students who are struggling with understanding the material before they get discouraged.
Show the student you care. Talk to them about their jobs and their own car problems. Tell them they did a good job on lab tasks they have performed. When dismissing student, tell them to have a great day and I'll see you tomorrow.
The three steps I will do to improve retention are...
1. Allow the students priority to override the days timeline. Make up the possible missing parts of the days lecture at another time.
2. Build a more personal relationship with the students by engaging in their hobbies and interests.
3. By following up more with the students after intervention takes place.
The three things I can do to improve retention would be first to listen and observe the students for the signs of stress both academic and non-academic. Next, assess the way I communicate to the students my commitment to their overall success and willingness to help them overcome issues. Third continue to self assess so that I remain in touch and not stagnate in my approach to helping students succeed.
I find for example that even after teaching for over 12 years that I can find new ways of getting a concept across to a student...the same has got to be true for seeing the underlying issues and helping to resolve them....
Jamie, why do you think simple rewards like pins are so effective in motivating students?
Loren Kroh
Retention improvements that we will be practicing include:
1. Student appreciation week
2. Lunch with Faculty
3. Career Fair
All three of these events typically have good participation from students and faculty.
The ability to show the students that we care about their success. Rewards for success are a good way to show that we are paying attention to their achievements. We award pins for certain achievements. Students love to collect these pins on lanyards with our school logo on them.
