When dealing with students all everyone is attempting provide the most effective learning environment and that incules asking questions to find out students mental or emotional states. Students could be failing simply becuase they have no money for food or shelter...
Being a mentor/role model is to identify early the issue. We can not dignosis or provide a treatment for the student. There are many alternate ways to assist students.
Yes. We are in the business of creating future success visions, we are in the business of counseling. As Student Service Director, I am the principal, adviser, confidant, my job is to keep all students on track so they can graduate and succeed. Not easy but so often gratifying and fulfilling.
I agree. Many students come to me with their issues, concerns and woes. I strive to get them back on track and remind them why they are in school, I remind them of what is to come once they graduate and how much better things will be.
Thanks, Sandra.
You certainly have the attitude that a leader must have to be successful in the career school industry. How to ensure the rest of your team feels the same way?
Sandra,
Student Services plays a vital role in student success. What are somme specific things you do to ensure that Student Services and Academics are on the same page at your institution?
I agree that we definitely have to deal with the "mental" issues of our students in that many of them have personal issues that interfere with their learning. We may not be the expert in helping them solve these issues, but we certainly should be able to pick up on the fact that something is wrong and lead them in the direction of getting any assistance they may need. Many students need encouragement they may only get from us as their instructors. We may be the only smiling face they see all day.
I agree with this statement. There are times when I have to take the first few mintues of my class to allow my studnets to story tell and get whatever drama they are experiencing out of the way. I have found that giving my students this 3-5 minutes allows them to focus in class.
Undoubtedly the student's "mental health" status affects learning abilities both positively and negatively. As an instructor it is imperative that you identify red flags and possibly coach students through difficult situations or even spend more time one-on-one (office hours) to mentor, tutor and coach that particular student to success.
I agree. As an instructor, I feel it is necessary to keep my student's mindframe well, so that learning is at its best potential. When a student is distracted no learning can be successful.
Agreee, some days I feel this way. The challenge is to keep focusing on the goal.
That is funny, but I do agree. I believe a person's mental state of being can be directly tied to the success/failure in a classroom. We as instructors often have to find the root of the problem and aid students in fixing the problem instead of the symptom of the problem. For example, if a student constantly shows up late, we need to find out why and what is the cause. Everyone has issues and keeping those issues to yourself will not help the situation. Unfortunately, in order to solve problems we need to discuss the deeper issues.
Patti,
Several faculty members have told me that they are uncomfortable dealing with many of the "out of classs' issues students bring to them. What advise would you give them?
I completely agree with this statement Jeffrey. I think that any educator would agree with this, but I feel that our students definitely come in with their share of personal trauma. I feel that in order to help a student TRULY succeed in college and beyond, an Instructor must be nurturing, understanding, and ready to assist students with whatever means necessary.
I can recall a particular term when I was confronted with this. I had a student who was extremely insecure and thought very poorly of herself. She was excited to be in school but was pretty sure that she would not succeed as her mother told her that she was wasting her time, energy, and money. This particular student had been abused since she was very little and because of the extent of this abuse, had no front teeth. In order to pass the class that I was teaching it was required that each student complete the term with a presentation of their big research paper. This student would have no part. She was traumatized to stand up in front of her peers and speak. When it was time for her to present, she would not come to class. Her and I spent hours together after class preparing her speech, so I was sure that she was ready, but once it came time, she did not show. She skipped the following two courses as well. I then made it my personal mission to help her get through this. At the beginning of the fourth class that she skipped, I stepped out for a moment and searched the building. I found her in the library. As soon as she saw me, she knew that she could not escape this. I held her hand, walked her into class and told her to stare directly at me while speaking. She made her way to the front, turned awkwardly to see me, and gave her speech. Her classmates were wonderful and began clapping. :) She was so proud of herself that she began to cry. I have never had quite this same experience since, but I know that this moment changed this students outlook on her life. :)
My strategy is I always ask them, "are you ok?" That gives the students the opportunity to open up and share whatever information they wish. Some will tell me a lot of information, some will just say "yes." I leave it up to them to tell me what is wrong, but I always tell them that they can come to me if they need help. If I don't know what to do, I always refer them to the person they can talk to.
Patti,
When I first startred in this business, I was told that I would know that my students trusted nme when they came to talk to me about things that I would rather they did not talk to me about. It sounds like you are in that place.
Take it as a affirmation of what you do and how you carry yourself.
Thanks for sharing this, Shauna.
If you believe in assisting and identifying a students HABE's, then you must absolutely agree with this statement.
Our ability to assess, and stimulate a student's ability to "feel" and "Succeed" leads us to understanding the "molding" of a student's past into the Expectation to Thrive in their future.
TO keep with the analogy, students should also be made to feel that an "Open door with a couch" is always available to them to communicate difficulties and walls encountered in achieving their goals.
Though does this not lead to "Crossing the Line of Professionalism" which I have read in other threads within this site? Your feedback on this is appreciated as that line seems to negate our abilities in this manner??
Jeffrey,
Great Point!!!
The strength of our faculty is their diversity. Many different situations arise that I am not nearly as qualified as someone else in the Department or within the School. I have never been afraid to walk with the student to another member of the faculty nor recommend to a faculty member (with the students "ok") that their assistance is needed.
I am going back to the TEAM!!! aspect, but that is what the Environment in Education is!!!
Walking them to the correct help point is always better than sending them there! Thanks!
Absolutely we as educators are in the mental health business. If you have ever had an amazing professor or instructor, you know proof positively that they can effect your mental health. A strong, well organized, and caring instructor or professor can uplift your spirits and help drive your motivation to become a greater student.
