THEIR REASONS FOR BEING HERE
People come to school to facilitate change in themselves. If we can make them relize this, we clear the way for sucsess. Thiers & ours!!!
Going to college for me was about making a change. After High School I made the decision to join the work force. I was offered a position with the Eastman Kodak Company and accepted that position. I landed a job with a great business and I was satisfied with that. My first position with the Eastman Kodak was performing general maintenance. I then moved on to material handler, assembly machine operator, and quality inspector, and then back to material handler. None of these jobs I found satisfying. The move back to material handler made me realize that I did not have a career but just a job. I also realized that I was going no place fast and that was not about to change unless I made a change. It is at that point I decided that I needed more from my employment than just having any available job. What I needed was a college education and college degree. I needed the skills to move in the direction of having a career.
I use something similar to this so they can see "the big picture". It also allows them to see there is more than one way to do some tasks and they feel validated from being able to contribute especially when the class is able to use their ideas and put them into practice.
Maple--
It is true and a little discouraging at times to see the excitement disappear from new students' faces! One of the suggestions in this class was to have the students write down their goals for returning to school and also the barriers they may face. It can be useful to show them that these things were bound to come about and reconfirm their commitment to their original goal.
Susan
I believe that we must refocus our students to the reason(s) why they made that first call to come to school. Often times, they are very excited in the first couple of weeks, but when they are faced with barriers they become discourgaged and want to quit so as their instructor, or director, we have to bring them back to their goal(s). This can be done through group activities, class projects, developing a plan, or provide resources that can help remove some of those barriers that are hindering them from their career goal.
Scott--
How exciting that you have promoted an atmosphere that encourages students to find alternative methods! Great job!!!
Susan
I try to apply the lessons in a way that makes them want to return to see more, giving it to them in a way that relates to what they want or do as directly as possable.
In my classes we tend to get a number of people asking " What if I did it like this instead?". Ill take their idea and draw it on the board and put it out to the class to let the class break it down. The students tend to like this and it shows them that you have to know how it works because the book dosnt always cover all possable angles.
Bryant--
I do agree that it is not our responsibility to actually change their lives. I do, however, believe it is our job to enable them to do that and to encourage them to continue as it is often a difficult thing to accomplish.
Susan
I am not sure if our job is to help the student to realize that they are here to change their lives, in fact, I believe we are here to simply provide the vehicle which will assist them in this change. If we begin to think that we can help people realize they need a change in thier lives that we are setting both parties up for failure. We should show the student what the vehicle looks like and simply ask them if they would like a ride. this is metaphorically speaking of course. All we can do is show them the way, encourage them along the way,and provide them with the best opportunities upon graduation. This is what i think.
Kelia--
This is an excellent perspective and you are so right! We have an amazing opportunity to help transform lives. Transformation can be very stressful and it sounds like you do an excellent job of mentoring your students. Kudos!
Susan
CHANGE. That is a key word.
Not everyone come to school looking for change, however, we are in the position that we can help them understand that there is change involved in their desicion to stay and that this change is positive.
Some of the students just enroll looking for something else to do, because they are bored. Some students don't know any better but what teachers in high school said because they don't have a suppert system at home to convince them on how education will change their lives.
WE are then, in charge - maybe for the very first time - to make them aware that this journey requires change. Sometimes changes in their behavior, their plans, their social groups, their decisions.
At the end, our job is to help them through this change and make their life, not easy, but one that they can be proud of.
We are only successful when the student is.
It is unfortunate that too many of our city schools have not done a good job with the reading and writing/spelling skills required now in our vocational technical schools.
Now the student's reason for being here is diminished.
As a result they do not do well in class or lab.
Some students say, "I'm a hands on guy" I'll be fine.
I wish these type of students well.
I agree. If we project positive change, the students will follow our example.
Kevin--
You make some excellent points. It is absolutely true that teachers especially, but really all employees, play a huge role in encouraging students. Also, that we sometimes get jaded. In most cases, we never really realize what a huge difference we are making for students and not seeing the results sometimes gets us calloused.
Susan
For me it started as a way to complete what I started 30 years ago by the time I finished 3 years later it was an adddiction I love learning and competing for a grade and challanging my self to write a better paper.
The main reason I became addicted to school was I went on campus for 2 years and on line for 1, the school and teachers are the reason I finished and want to get my masters. Each and everyone is committed to seeing us complete and holding every student accountable.
The school counslores and financial aid counslers went out of their way to assist us.
I feel many teachers in the industry get calloused and jaded and transfer this to the students.
Christopher--
How true! Education should be a transformation.
Susan
