Even though we have schools from coast to coast, there is a skeleton crew at each location. At my location there are 3 instructors and myself. We all wear many hats, we are all on first name basis, students and faculty alike. The owner is located on the East Coast, even though he isn't onsite our students are well aware of what he's all about. He is truly a generous open minded person. I've had students come to me with an idea of what would make their experience more valuable during the program and more often then not he gives the green light to proceed. It might be to buy a small piece of equipment or to allow someone to present a marketing idea and sometimes it's successful and sometimes not. The students really respond to the consideration given them.
One recent example is a student came to me and wanted us to buy a boxing bag. The school is a personal training school, when completed the student receives a diploma as a certified personal trainer. The student was a former golden glove champion in Chicago, he wanted to be able to bring his clients to our gym and train a future golden glove champion. I approached the owner and was granted permission for the purchase.
Once a student graduates they are allowed to run their personal business at the school gym for a minimal fee. It's a win/win situation, after graduating the student still has access to their instructors in case they encounter something they aren't familiar with and the school profits from the continued contact with the student.
I would describe my school's culture of being one that truly wants our students to succeed. Yes I believe our school is made up of "Intellignet Hearts". We have not only caring and understanding instructors but caring staff in all departments that take the time to listen to the students and help them work through issues they may be facing not only in school but in their personal life as well. My preception of an "Intelligent Heart" is having a positive attitude and thinking with the heart as well as the mind. When dealing with a student or anyone facing issues, I try to put myself in their place and feel what they are feeling to have a better understanding of what they are going through.
Donna,
Thanks for this post. I have read several versions of this story, and they all focus on making a difference. It basically comes down to one student who needs us.
Jeffrey Schillinger
We subscribe to the "Starfish Theory" at our school. When a beachgoer noticed hundreds of starfish stranded on the shore, he began throwing them back into the ocean, one by one. An onlooker saw the vastness of the problem, he asked "Why are you doing that? You can't possibly make a difference." To which the beachgoer replied as he tossed another one back into the surf "I made a difference to that one." As realists, we understand we can't be everything to everyone, but we can be true to our vision and consistent in our pursuit of making a difference.
Stephanie,
This is a nice definition of the intelligent heart. Thanks.
Jeffrey Schillinger
My school's culture is very nurturing. Most teachers are here to because they want to be here. They go above and beyond to help the student who is willing to help themself in any way, whether it be in the classroom or to help them handle a personal problem. It it the students that aren't willing to help themselves that are the challenge. They take a little more work but with the right teacher and the rapport that is built they too can be a success. They need someone to believe in them.
My perception of "Intelligent Heart" is someone who has a positive and caring attitude. They enjoy what they are doing and wants those around them to feel the same way. You want to be around the person with the "Intelligent Heart". They tend to light up a room.
Our school culture is aimed at developing the whole person. Each department has a stake in the student's successful completion of his/her program. Each employee is vested in that student and spends time getting to know that student as an individual. I make sure that I nuture the whole person when he/she is in my classroom because I know that he/she brings a whole life into the classroom with him/her.
Intelligent hearts, what a simple question. This heart should have just not ethics and morals, it should also include life experience. Be able to recognize body language and be alble to hold a higher level of thought process so that paramount issues can be resolved accordingly.
I believe my schools culture is a revolving mixture of positive and negative aspects. We have a high employee turnover rate which leads to uncertainty mixed with skepticism. And, for the most part I believe we have many intelligent hearts;however, some have left the organization. My perception of an intelligent heart is someone who truly cares for our students well being and continues to take the time to put the needs of our students first.
From the front desk, to the steps of graduation our student’s journey to graduate successfully and even guidance to finding employment is everyone’s goal for each and every student.
Bonnie,
Great post! This is what good career colleges do!
Jeffrey Schillinger
Intelligent Heart to me is putting the needs and concerns of students first. That both staff and faculty are an important part of that.
When I have a student come in and talk with me about a concern, I make sure that those who would have the greatest effect in helping the student are in the loop. Communication between departments is very important.
Our department heads have a meeting every week to see how the student is progressing and what other options we have not tried if we need to.
What are one or two of the clearest ways for an individual who is not a teacher to demonstrate the intelligent heart?
Katrena,
I am not sure I understood what you meant here. Please elaborate.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Umm It is made up of alot of pesonalities and some intelligent hearts as well.
I think my school is made up of people with Intelligent Hearts, but there is always room for improvement at every level and in each departments. An Intelligent Heart is not a status that is attained and then forgotten about, it is something that needs to be worked on everyday. I think it is important to operate all organizations with an intelligent hearts, it produces the best results in the end for both the employees and students (consumers).
My school is still seeking to establish a consistent culture. In less that 3 years we have had 4 different leaders and each culture is somewhat different. We have only 2 faculty members who have been on board for the entire run. I agree that that the establishment of a school culture and approach that has consistency is very important. We are seeking to get to that point.
I believe that there are alot of "Inteligent hearts " in this school. It shows , from the admissions department all the way through to the instructors that there is alot of caring about the students , we have such things as a food pantry to help someone who may not be able to get to the store, and there are things as bike shows where food and soda are provided for the students to have a good time and appriciate their time here.
Having all departments involved in the students success is our culture and we are truly made up of " Intelligent Hearts." Our goal is to reach all of our students by using the guidelines of our mission and vision. We follow the 3 M's. We are models, mentors and monitors of our students.
Our school culture is about retention and help student to graduate or completed their goals. Since our school is more on hand than academic, so we have a lot of contact with a student some sort of pone on one conversation. Most of them is adult, so it's kind of easy to find how to help them.
As instructor I know we play big part of their success.
