The Intelligent Heart
we have alot of intelligent hearts - most if not all the instructors go out of thier way to help our students stay in school and to be asuccessful person at the end
How would you describe your school's culture? Is it made up of "Intelligent Hearts?" What is your perception of an "Intelligent Heart"?
Thanks, Dominick.
I will be sure to pass this comment on to Dr. Pace, the original course author.
This is an excellent course to make each person aware of the responsibility and accountability they have to each student. I told my supervisor that this would help bring all of our team together. Everyone is responsible and accountable for student success this module really does apply to all roles within the organization.
Thank you, Stacy. I am glad you found things in this course helpful.
You hit on a real key condition that all successfuls schools share - teamwork. Those in admissions, financial aif, student services and career services have a big impact on retention and student success.
I would describe our school's culture as very caring and very accomodating to a variety of students. I think overall our school is made up of "Intelligent Hearts." Every department has individuals that really care about "their" students, but also care about the overall mission of the school. One thing we have started to work on is better communication between departments at the school. Students can easily get upset if they hear negative comments or receive negative feedback from any employee at the school. Showing the students that the departments support each other and work together should only increase their belief that everyone at the school has their best interest in mind. I have started to share a lot of the ideas from this training with the instructors in my program. This is very helpfull!
Thanks, Megan!
What are some things that you do to try to lessen the impact of those who do not have the intelligent heart?
I believe there are many people who have an intelligent heart in our organization, but in the same respect I know there are some who are not and it can have a major effect on everyone.
Our school is actually very passionate about what we teach and when you have that you can't help but pass that same passion on to the students. I mean lets face it motorcycle repair is fun and we all do are best to make it that way in the class room everyday. Also a lot of the staff are former students so it gives us a better insight into what the students are going through and also what to look for (Red Flags) in the class to know when someone may need some emotional or other assistance.
I think that is a wonderful idea - this module really does apply to all roles within the organization. The attention necessary for retention really does need to be from all aspects of a student's experience in the school.
Thanks for sharing this, Marshall.
The way I carry my cheerful attitude in the halls each morning is where it starts. Smiling and greeting students by name is a sure way to build esteem in our students, because it lets them know we cared enough about them to remember them by name. I often take this a step further by asking," What classes are you taking this block?". They feel great knowing that I'm intrested in their progress and as a side bar, it opens the door to draw the student into a career based "question/answer" situation, that in essence is a minute exercise in interview preparation.
I ask for student input for potential clubs and organizations. It's brought a lot of response and I even have students intrested in being officers in a soon to be formed Creole and Cajun Food Club.
Marshall,
You described exactly what a successful career college needs to be. What are some specific things you do at Le Cordon Bleu to put smiles on your students' faces?
As a culinary professor, I stress to my students one common thread that we in hospitality share, whether we work in the "front of the house" or in the "heart of the house". That common thread that binds us all is "a servant's heart". Our profession is one of service and we gain our reward and pleasure in pleasing others. Sometimes its by the smile we put on a guest's face by meeting and exceeding their expectations or by the enjoyment they receive from a dish we have prepared. To me that expresses the foundation on an intelligent heart and school culture of Le Cordon Bleu College Atlanta.
Good question, Francis.
I can think of a few possible things you can do. Only try them if you feel comfortable.
The first is to say something when folks are bing negative. I have heard positive people ask negative people, "Is there anything about this school that you like?" It gets a reaction.
A more positive way to do this is to talk to your supervisor about asking folks to share what my school calls "mission moments." We start every meeting by calling on a few people to share something positive about a student or co-worker that illustrates why we do what we do. Rather than asking for volunteers, I try to call on the most negative folks more often than the ones that are generally positive all the time.
Our school has a majority of "Intelligent Hearts." Unfortunately, we have a few that create that negative energy that spoils the total effect. People with an "Intelligent Heart" work toward the common good of our students and of the mission of the school. Their practice is to follow through on the strategies that make for excellent retention and more importantly, successful students that have great EQs.
Those that practice the art of sarcastic humor defeats the atmosphere that should occur in meetings at which we are attempting to solve issues that make for a decidely improved workplace for employees and and excellent educational facility for our customers, the students. There are a few employees that seem to spend more time creating bad feelings than concentrating on what they are responsible for themselves.
How do any of you address the issue of these problem employees if you don't see yourself in a position to speak to the situation?
Thanks, JoAnn.
What are some specific things that you and your peers do to demonstrate "compassionate hearts?"
Treating students as we wish to be treated goes a long way in the teacher-student relationship. A compassionate heart demonstrates caring for each individual student, not just a number.
Thanks, James.
You should consider it an honor to be the faculty member assigned to teach the first quarter students. You may be in a position to positively influence more students than anyone else in the school.
Many career colleges put their best instructors in the early quarters. The trick is to duplicate that positive energy in all of the other quarters.
I'm an Instructor a Universal Technical Institute in Houston and teach the Basic Engines course, which is the first course in the school. We try to instill in the students the idea that working on engines should be something that is fun and exciting. You are supposed to enjoy school, not dread going. In order to teach this you have to enjoy your work and display an upbeat attitude at all times. People naturally work harder at something that is enjoyable. They put in extra effort and time. Maintaining this kind of attitude fights negativity and encourages student participation.
