Steve,
Why do you think students confide in you instead of other teachers?
Agree. Module 2 addressed a topic that is prevelant at my school. Most of our enrolled students and prospective students have parents that never attended an institution of hiring learning or post secondary education.
During Fin Aid appointments parents may become disturbed by some of the questions and some are even rude/disrespectful towards their child. It is our job to intervene and reassure the student that he/she can succeed and obtaining a post secondary education is possible.
I don't have a pyschology degree, but feel like I do when working with students. I think it's imperative to interpret what they are saying and why.
The suggestion to focus on their HABE's is a good point. We track a student's history as well as their parent's history for highest level of education, residency, etc. It may be a new idea for me and our staff to pay more attention to this information and realize how and why certain student's develop certain patterns of behavior.
true. i deel with students emotional problems on a daily basis. school problems, girlfriend problems, problems with pmom and dad. toy name it, i have had to help them out with it.
Yes as well as financial advisors, parents away from home, a ear to bend, and the list could go on and on. I don't want this to come across as fratinizing, but we hear alot of issues that the students have. As a company in most cases YES one business, As employees many.
That is better known maybe as facilitation. Providing the right environment where "aha" experiences can be nurtured, cultivated and promoted. Wow, learning is happening! That is being in the "zone". That is getting in the "flow". A nurturing of the mind! Great point!
Marlene,
It is great to see someone use the word "safe" when describing what a school should be. Too often, we focus on books and equipment and forget how important a safe atmosphere can be. Students need to feel free to make mistakes without fear of being ridiculed. They need to know that they are welcome and appreciated each time they are campus.
I agree. It is inate human trait to seek to be understood. The pressure of school can be overwhelming to students. Students need to feel like other s relate to them and know that others believe that they can do it. That they can accomplish whatever they set out to do. As faculty and staff, the school must be able to create that safe haven for the student. Councel, advise, chat...it is necessary for them to know that we are there to help them in any way we can.
Of course the students need to know that you care about them, before they care
Thanks, Gabriel. What are the signs of "self-defeating attitudes" that you see in your students?
In as far as helping a student identify and change self-defeating attitudes and behaviors, an instructor can contribute to a student's "mental health."
The way the question is worded I think not therefore is Disagree. Now if you mean do we have to take into account the mental aspect of our students then yes I agree.
Having been a professional soccer coach for 20 + years I most definitly coached the age and sex of my players. Girls will give you more with a lighter touch, boys you challenge them. There were other tings involved but you get the idea, I hope.
Thanks, Carlos!
What do you do to find out what is "going on in your students' heads?"
I agree that we are in more than one business.
You have to figure out what is going on in a students head so that you can better comunicate with him or her so that they will participate better in your class.
When I was an auto shop owner/technician, I felt at times I was also in the "mental health" business. I knew that my customers’ daily mental health sometimes hinged on their experience with me as the person who could make their grind easier by fixing their car. My current day customer is now the student. Their daily classroom experience is something both I and the student must agree to partnership in so that the outcomes benefit both of us. They learn something and stay engaged in school and I gain satisfaction that I had a part in it. I guess, like Glenn said, I'm now in the people business.
jasen,
Thanks for this post. Teaching is rewarding in a lot more ways than those who do not teach realize.
I agree. I didn't realize when I started that I would be playing so many parts. At first it was a challenge but now 7 years later it is very rewarding.
Good points, Glenn.
As teachers, we play a much more important role than just the dispensers of knowledge. We have to model, mentor and monitor in may more areas than just our subjects.
Teaching students how to develop and prepare for their future career is like handing them money for life.
Besides the instruction provided in regards to normal subject matter we as educators provide coaching and mentoring as it applies to needed life skills.
We as educators are in the "people business"
Great post, Robert!
The real trick is to find faculty members who believe that effective education involves much more that just what goes on during formal lessons. Once we have a staff full of intelligent hearts, our student success and satisfaction rates really take off.
In education letting someone know what we do "exactly" is sometimes not so easy. It is much more than just teaching and the payoffs for our students can be much more than just taking classes. If we see ourselves in the human enrichment business we can find a plethora of ways to help, teach, and propell students into their "dreamed of" futures. By-the-way our personal rewards are also enriching to "we the people" of the college/institution.
