Break the ice!
Welcome to the brand new Retention Performance Group! Simply put, this is the 80-20 rule in action! It’s probably safe to say that 20% of development is through formal training and 80% is through informal learning. We learn by doing and by sharing. So let’s get our learning community for Retention started. Who is going to break the ice?
My name is Sabrina Kennon and I am the Student Services Coordinator at MMTC in Lynchburg, VA. I mostly deal with retention issues and would love some ideas and suggestions form my peers! Please share!
My name is Mindi Orozco and I am the Externship Coordinator at CCMCC in California. I feel that when you make an emotional connection with your student their retention will be better. Remembering their names or little things they share with you and then asking them about it later will make them feel cared for and recognized which in turn makes them happy and eager to learn.
Hello, I am from NCE in California. I learned when I started in the industry that students will not listen to what we say until they know we care. The students in our campus know that we sincerely want them to succeed. From random "check in:" calls to students to informal conversations in the hallway, the staff and faculty cannot fake the sincerity of our care. As students see that we want to see them succeed, they work harder in their classes too. Graduation becomes an even more exciting event because of the connections that are shared between staff, faculty and students.
Hello, My name is Jeannine Mazurkiwecz. I've been an instructor at McCann in Hazleton for almost 5-years now. I am also a business owner and have a degree is Mass Communications. I could not agree more with the 80-20 philosophy. I tell my students that they should focus on knowing their "text" material in theory, and most importantly, know how to apply what they learn in a job setting. I find it easier to keep their attention when they are involved in "hands-on" projects.
We break the ice everyday when we speak to a peer, a stranger or to our students. Students have not experience good solid methods of breaking the ice. It is very easy to stay silent but with no reward. Some choose the easy life and never prosper from that mentality.
Engagement is a key factor to our students, we text one on one, we study one on one are alone and we sit in class and listen to a lecture giving by one person. Involving all students to participate in class discussions, interacting amoust themselves in groups and then as a whole pays real dividens to the class.
We also mentor our students and must assure them we are there for any reason they need. This takes dedication, and commitment and the students must see and feel that to build trust in the instrctor and staff.
