Making Students Feel That They Belong
On the first day of class, I have the students introduce themselves and encourage them to exchange telephone numbers as soon as they feel comfortable with their fellow students. I encourage them to develop "study buddies" or sources for notes on days they are forced to miss. We have "Potluck meals" at the end of each module, and we celebrate student birthdays as they arise.
Many of our students have financial problems. We have fun here for them which they couldn't afford otherwise. They can earn prizes for decorating their classroom doors for Hallooween. They had a "pie in the face" contest today and the best costume. We have trick or treat for them and their children.
We are planning a Chrsitmas party for the students and their children and many other opportunities for them to win prizes.
We have Thanksgiving baskets in which all help by bring in canned goods and then share with the needer students.
We will be planning Christmas for needy students also. It is so much fun and the students really get involved and truely help each other out.
Mary Willaims, Instructor
I began my first term finding out when my students birthdays are after something one of my students said. I knew that my students were all returning students with families and children. They were struggling financial and getting to class took effort and organization for most. Logistics with the cars and babysitters presented challenges. Most left before their kids got up for work and did not get home till after their kids were in bed. One of my students mentioned his birthday was coming up and it seemed important to him. I asked what he had planned. He responded nothing, no time to do anything. I brought in cupcakes for everyone on his birthday. He still mentions it classes later. Everyone in the department came by and got a cupcake and told him happy birthday. I able to do this for all my students birthday's because I have small classes and a small department. It is something from feedback I know means alot to them and gives them a little break from the ordinary.
Scott
Working in an online school, one of the things I encourage students to do is send an introduction e-mail to their instructor the first week of class. This is a great way to keep communication flowing and provides an opportunity to teach life skills that will be useful no matter what environment their in.
You should have activities other than the academic to bring the students together. The feeling of belonging is other source for retention
A potluck meal at a culinary school. WOW.
Does the lack of financial resources for students present an opportunity to develop a focus on low cost meals that students could use in their personal lives? They could also share hints to manage the cost of meals.
I have also begun a "potluck" meeting on the 3rd Thursday of every month... however the students usually come empty handed because they are so broke! It's a shame, but I've also been told that some don't attend because they're embarassed that they can't contribute. Sometimes I gather extra product from around the school (cooking school) and whip up a big batch of something, but purse strings are pretty tight on campus and extra is harder and harder to find. But I keep trying anyway. Getting students involved with one another is very important to creating a sense of belonging, as well as providing a built-in support system.
I pretty much do the same thing. I have found out that if I get the students to bound to each other the class is much more stable.
I do the same thing at the beginning of the students rotation with me.
Sounds like you do a great job of reaching out to students and creating an environment where they can develop strong, supportive relationships. Do these same students stay together as they progress through the curriculum? Have you gotten feedback from subsequent instructors about their esprit de corp?
