Yes,I do agree. As an educator we deal with so many defferent personalities and mental disorders. I would love to have training to deal with certain personalities. I have learned over time how to deal and make them into successful students. I have students that need to feel important (over-achievers) so I give them small projects. I also have the students that blame everyone except themselves on why they are not successful. For this type of student, I have them write things down which make them accountable for their own actions.
Stephanie,
Interesting post. Thanks. What are some of the most common things your students write down related to accountability?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I do agree with it , as I teach my class I feel to keep the students on the track to learn I have to cover all the business or problems they may have.
many students have barriers to their success, sometimes just letting someone talk about what they percieve as a basrrier can help them resolve and overcome the barrier. Part instructor part therapist. We need to learn to listen and give students the opportunity to vent concerns.
James,
Do you refer students to professionals when they come to you with issues?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree. A lot of our students have no self-confidence because they were never told that they were good at anything. Some of them have never completed anything either. When the going gets tough they quit.
It is important as an educator to help boost their self-confidence. Congratulate them on a job well done. Simple things like stickers on a test go a long way. Some times they just need someone to talk to who cares. Taking the time with a student goes a long way. Constant reminders (that vision) to them as to why they came to school in the first place hopefully will keep them on track.
It is important for them to understand that finishing school will be a boost to their self-confidence. It will also help them achieve their "vision".
Stephanie,
You raise a good point. Far too many folks now quit when they face any adversity.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Absolutely- our entry process does not allow for personality profiles or soft skills assessments. We often take the roles of counselors to help our students with their mounting financial and personal stressors. ST
Any suggestions for strategies or guidelines to put in place to help students be more accountable.
Stephanie,
Establish consequences and stick to the policies surrounding those consequences. It is helpful if this statrts the first day. (Consequences can be positive.)
Jeffrey Schillinger
Stephen,
Many institutions contract with outside services to provide professional counseling for students with issues that could be best served by a mental health professional. These schools "advise" students on matters related to college.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Ya we use ASPIRE, less than ideal, but it's what we have.
Stephen,
What do you see as the weakest part of ASPIRE?
Jeffrey Schillinger
I would agree.
The current challenges that impact our young students are becoming more centered around professionalism, attutide, and teamwork skill sets. This is not what is topically covered withing traditional curriculum.
Thus, we are in the business of mental health business for our current generation of students.
Harvey,
Many career schools require their faculty members to build activities that enhance the "soft skills" you mention into their daily lessons.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I don't think there is any question that we are in the mental health business. If we can change the HABEs of one student and help them succeed we have changed their outlook both mentally and hopefully physically
Yes, we as educators and spend countless hours trying to keep the students motivated (Counselling). Many students have many problems, from significant others to children, parents, and jobs everyday. When we get one problem solved another happens.
The #1 problem is many are medicated for one reason or another. Some of the issues students have are scary, and we want to help but one has to avoid over-stepping boundaries; especially when its financial. You don't want to walk away but have to or the next business would banker.
Cynthia,
Some career colleges have hired counseling services to help address these types of situations with professional expertise.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I definitely agree, we all have our own personal needs and individual situations throughout our lifetime. It is our job to discover what brick walls a student is encountering that may be interfering with their goals.
Yes, like there are different learning styles, there are different factions of the business of education.