On the first day of class I give the students my personal cell phone number and tell them they can call any time if they need to discuss any issues pertaining to the class. I also tell them if they have any issues with ANYTHING please let me know before class, during break time, or after class
Anita,
Just the invitation may not work. What are some things you do to ensure youractions in and outside of class clearly demonstrate "approachability?"
Jeffrey Schillinger
I give a verbal open invitation on the first day of class so students know I can be approached and am available to discuss any needs they have. I also talk to students individually when they get a C or below on any tests.
Anita,
Whhat are some of the specific things yoy do to cultivate these HABEs in your students who do not come to you with them already developed?
Jeffrey Schillinger
Good attitude. Genuine interest in wanting to learn the subject matter
Throughout my career as an educator, I have noticed that positive work habits, attitudes and behaviors do spread out to other students in class. The instructor can use this tendency to help her develop students' confidence and motivation by creating a system of rewards to praise positive work habits, attitudes, and behaviors.
I am always proud of my students but more so of the ones who don't start out so successful but along the way, because they learn to brake free of their HABEs (family education, background, not good examples of friends or close ones) and influence of good role models and motivation from our part, they strive to become greater and actually do so well that they have job offers during their internship. I see how HABEs can hinder people everyday
Jessica,
This is why we are in business! Great job!
Jeffrey Schillinger
My best example is Johnny. He came into the program very guarded and had a list of "I can't." By the middle of his program, with help from my mentoring and monitoring, he walked arond the campus with confidence and I never heard "I can't" ever again.
Together, we mapped his career and alined his goals. He is doing great!
Peggy,
The self-motivated students are relatively easy to deal with. What are some of the things you do to inspire the less motivated students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
A successful student is early for class, in class everyday, reads their assigned chapters, takes notes and is engaged in class. They ask questions and when they don't understand something they make an appointment with the instructor.
The not so successful have a lot of excuses on why they were late, why they have to leave class a lot to answer the phone. They complain instead of finding solutions. If they get a bad grade and asked if they studied they say no, but your test are just too hard.
Some good habits are study skills, a lot of our students today do not have these. So I ask after every test what are best practices used to help you achieve the grade you got. They have positive atitiudes and they are looking forward to a new career and a better life for their family.
Thank you, Theresa.
What are some classroom activities you facilitate to help develop these HABEs in your students?
Jeffrey Schillinger
They are helpful and caring. They have no problem working in a group and offering assitance to the weaker classmates.
They are on time and had in their assignments on time. If they are having trouble comprehending the course material they ask for help.
Vida,
Well done. The attention you showed her could be a life changing experience for this student.
Jeffrey Schillinger
There are always a handful of "good" students, those who come to class prepared having read the assignment and ready to learn. Then there are the students that want to just get by and always say this is to "hard", I can't do this and want to give up without trying. To those students I repeat what I say the first day of class. The word "can't" is not allowed in my classroom. You must try and try again until you succeed.
I inherited a student once whom almost every instructor had taught and would talk bad about. In there opinion she was the worst student. Having heard this, when I walked into the classroom I didn't know what to excpect, but I knew I was not going to prejudge her. I found her to be rather pleasant and only became "bad" when she was frustrated and didn't understand that information begin taught. I made it a point to walk around the room and help students one on one so she wouldn't feel singled out. At one point during a discussion on behavior, she stated she was the "bad student" and all the teachers had told her that. I stated you're not "bad" just a bit misunderstood. You're okay in my book. She loved this and I noticed a change in her attitude and her willingness to accept that her behavior is inappropriate when she doesn't understand, she merely needs to ask for help.
I was very pleased, she ended up being one of the best students I have had the pleasure of teaching and I still communicate with her today. She is an office manager in a clinic in LA.
Janelle,
How do you teach these HABEs to students who do not naturally already have them?
Jeffrey Schillinger
My most successful students are organized, utilize their syllabus, invest the time in reviewing material, writing notes and completing all assigned work. They are fully vested in their education and do not allow external distractions to divert their attention. The least successful students are easily distracted, are less invested in the learning process, are more emotive and are far more susceptible to peer pressure.
Our successful students are those that have a "never say die" attitude about bettering themselves, despite obstacles that inevitably come up in their lives. It's powerful.
I like to inspire my students to learn as much as they can, but my most successful students are the ones who always try to go the extra mile. They may come to class early or stay late (whichever suits their schedule) if they miss a day or two, they will complete the project at home and bring the piece in for me to see and grade.
Their attitude is upbeat, positive and even if they are unsure about something they will attempt it as best as they can. If they make a mistake or something turns out wrong they will ask if they can re make it even if it is in their own time.They have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and they try to utilize their time in class to maximize all they can learn.
It is very rewarding to see these students develop and grow throughout the course and to see how happy they are when they finally graduate.
