Not everyone is cut out to be an educator. It takes patience, empathy and motivation. The nature of our business is students that are real with real issues, we are required and expected to go beyond the normal job duty of educating and really get to know our students. We are firm but nurturing.
Our schools culture is becoming very student centered and improving every day. I think the school is full of intelligent hearts. My perception of an Intelligent Heart is a person that is very intuitive and has a clear view of what is needed with both mental an emotional intelligence. I have worked for a few individuals that did not have an Intelligent Heart and the entire school was misguided and miserable. Now leaders have been put into place that have the very essence of Intelligent Heart and they have everyone’s best interest in heart, not just their own. Having leaders that have Intelligent Hearts creates a strong school community. This results in happy, successful students.
Rebecca,
Thank you for this post. An unhappy minority can really undermine the efforts of the positive majority.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Jeffrey,
The negative folks affect the culture mostly by their comments/body language. It could be something as simple as being in a meeting with their arms folded across their chest and a pissed off look on their face. Little things like this are noticed by all those in the room and it can be silent poison. When we have an employee doing something like this we pull them aside after the meeting to discuss their concerns. Usually they are just resistent to any change and so we will discuss the reason for the change. Most of the time the individuals think that the change will make their job more difficult when in fact the goal and intent is to make their job easier. Once we have an open dialog the negative people tend to accept the new process or at least promise to be openminded toward it.
Rebecca,
What are some of the things the negative folks do impact the culture? How do you get them on board?
Jeffrey Schillinger
We are so lucky to have many intelligent hearts on campus. I think that there are a few people on campus who haven't bought into the goal of the campus and unfortunately their negativity is affecting the culture on campus. Luckily there are plenty of positive attitudes though so the negative are outnumbered. I appreciate those with an intelligent heart and it is fun to see the students gravitate to them.
Robert,
How do you get those that are not on board to either get on board or leave? They can undo a lot of good if left unchecked.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Leadership starts at the top, and we have some very good leaders with intelligent hearts. Perhaps everyone isn't on board, but most are, and having good role models at the top helps tremendously.
An intelligent heart is someone who is very caring, has intuition and wisdom that can assist others. It is important to have employess with an intelligent heart throughout the corporation. This sets a positive example and sets the bar for the students and their behavior.
I haft to say that the main goal "RETENTION is because of "The Intelligent Heart". This constantly on our staff's true "HEART FELT" commitment!
Changing lives is our goal, when i get discouraged, i have to remember: If i can reach just one, i have succeeded. And everyday, just one more
Our school culture is very positive. The instructors on my team work very hard to put the students first.
Connie,
Thanks for this post. Does you campus survey those stuents who do drop out?
Jeffrey Schillinger
We have a very upbeat and comfortable atmosphere. Many of our students say they enroll because of the feeling they get from the staff and the warmth they feel when thay are at the school. Our school satisfaction surveys and student evaluations of instructors seem to support this. It is extremely important to us that all staff (from maintenance to leadership) focus on meeting the needs of our students/customers by doing whatever it takes to serve them.
My school's culture is made up of instructors and administration that really want to see the students that attend the school succeed in their chosen field. I believe that it is made up of Intelligent Hearts. My perception of an Intelligent Heart is someone who cares about the students, but is still going to make them learn the material and do the work for the grade.
As Chef instructors we are fortunate--most of us are driven by passion and hard work ethics, of course this cannot be the same for all, but is a fair generalization. Our school culture resembles a passionate group which truly wishes to share their experiences mixed with modern teaching techniques to attain a well rounded student. These are intentions, not all students are all convinced of thier choices at the same time. The perception of the intelligent heart lives here in those instructors who continually strive to give the students the foundations that maybe he or she did not have.
Christella,
We need to be advisors to our students as opposed to counselors. We should be able to refer our students to qualified resources when their issues lead us to believe they need that type of help.
Jeffrey Schillinger
When students come to the instructors or myself, we take the student in another empty room or my office and listen to the student issues. We do not probe to get information but we can say things to make the student come out and state to us the reason or reasons why he/she is upset or having a difficult time in class. After the conversation, the student return to me before the end of the day to inform me that I made the situation a little better for he/she to tolerate. We do not try to be counselors but it only take simple kind words that we know of times that the student issues were once our issues.
Christella,
What are some of the behaviors that you and your peers exhibit that show that you care?
Jeffrey Schillinger
SUCCESS!!!!! We work as a team to help our students reach the goal or goals that they have made for themselves. All faculty and staff are here for our students if the student cares or not.
