Make it more then a job
If the students think your only here for the pay check they may think your cutting corners . If you show you really are interested in them as a person and a student you will get a lot more from them.
Show you care, interact with them and go above and beyond what is expected; find the ansewer to their questions, help them with a problem that may not be your course, etc. and they will become more then students.
If you're there just for the pay check it will show and they will look elsewhere for guidence and knowledge.
Besides the day will go a lot faster if your not always looking at the clock to see if it's time to leave.
John,
The great thing about being a teacher is that if our job is boring or unenjoyable, we can change it ourselves.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree, if we don't enjoy being at work and doing this every day then we aren't going to be very successful shaping the futures of those to whom we have been entrusted.
I wholeheartedly agree with your post. If they know you care and realize that you are not in it just "for the money" they will respect you and listen. Many times students will ask questions that some instructors wouldn't answer because it is personal. I have found that if I answer without giving too much detail the student feels that I am human just as they are and will come to me with questions instead of feeling that I don't care.
I believe by modeling and caring, we can change lives.
My class has a multicultural environment with many new immigrants. I know they try hard to study and at the same time work. Most of them have responsibilities with their families. I am trying to listen to them as much as possible and finding some solutions about their problems, even I will put extra time before or after classes to help them in some subjects that are difficult. I love my job; I don't look at my job just as a source of income.
The Financial Aid team touches nearly every student. If they are not positive about what they are doing, it will rub off on the students and other staff members.
There is no easy solution to this. All of us need to see our students as "student-customers" and show them the respect that all customers deserve. Consider a meeting in which your team discusses what they like about their jobs and about our student-customers. Ask them to role play tough service situations.
Another technique is to find ways for them to get involved and connected with the students. These do not have to be complicated things. Sponsor contests. Walk up and down the hallways passing out Easter candy. Hold raffles. Grill some hotdogs. I have seen all these things work well in schools.
If attitudes don't change, you may be faced with a need for some positive turnover.
How do I change that mindset of "I'm here for the paycheck?" My staff are very rigid towards our students and often how them in contempt for their actions or lack there of; sometimes treating them as a burden.
I've only managed them for about 8 months, and they have made strids to move forward and improve their attitudes, but there is still an underlying feeling of disconnect with the students.
Any tips for improvement?
Thank you for this post, Jennifer.
Students can easily identify which faculty members are the ones that care about them the most. In that we are not yet able to clone our best faculty members, ousr next best choice is to hire folks as much like them as possible.
What are some of the things we should look for to find the "clones" we are looking for?
I have instructor working for me who does just that, goes above and beyond in showing that he truly cares about each and every student, even if they aren't from our discipline. It speaks volumes. I have had several students ask me to clone him because he really cares (their words exactly). Students are very intelligent and can tell day 1 if an instructor is just there to collect a paycheck or not.
You are so right never looked at it quite that way, wow you made a job I love even easier!
Mark,
Mixing passion for a subject with a passion for teaching makes for a great experience for our students. The more we learn about teaching and learning, the better the experience for our students.
Most of us are here because we have a passion for what we do. My wife said that I am finally getting paid for talking about cars which I would do anyhow. That passion is what carries me through.
Everyone feels more interested in something when they feel they are being taken an interest in.
Lauren,
Thank you for this post. The old saying "People don't care what you know until they know you care" really does apply well in our business.
Your observation about how much better a day seems when you are doing something you like and not watching the clock is right on target.
