Maria,
What do you mean by "intellectual thinker?"
Jeffrey Schillinger
Mary,
Good post. Our college contracts with a firm that provides professional contract services to our students and graduates.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree. We as educators need to understand that people seeking educations are sometimes doing so at a very difficult point in their lives. These stressful times in peoples lives are teaching opportunities. Students can learn that an education can be achieved by learning to manage their stress. It is important that educators help their students process stress and focus on their studies. If the student feels supported it will help to relieve some of the stress they feel. Once a student has some success during a difficult time in their lives it will help them to build confidence. They will realize that they can succeed through great adversity. This will help to create a professional employee.
yes i agree. Agreed. Sometimes you can be way more to a student than just a educator. Some need a role model and someone to believe in them.
Dale,
A frind of mine calls us "Edupreneurs."
Jeffrey Schillinger
Seth,
You make several good points here. Thanks.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I think the impact we have on our students' self-perception is maybe more important than giving the education. The demographic of students we work with are often of a low socio-economic status and have no experience with being more than they are. Helping students see what they are capable of as far as taking control of their lives is the main goal. They need to have the confidence to use the education they get and do well.
We are sooo much more than just teachers of our particular subject. We have to serve in so many additional roles. Cheerleader, mentor, advocate, advisor, role model, tutor, etc. When you get this combination right your students are successful.
I agree with the career educators stating that besides being an academical business the school is also a mental health business; The Soft skills or emotional intelligence besides the intellectual skills of graduates play an important role for them to succeed and stay on the job. Working together as a whole a business will have acquired the best employees.
We are definitely in the mental health business. Mental stability has a lot to do with the continuation and completion of a program.
Lorrie,
We nneed to remember we can advise, but not counsel. My college contracts with a service that provides students ith 24/7 access to many professional support services. It is worth it.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agreed that we are in more than one business, students comes to us from just more than tutoring, and homework help. We have to mentor, sometimes counsel, and even just to listen to what they are going through at home. Many educators or not trained for many of the personal issues that arises with these students , which sometimes is a burden to bear if you have 40 plus students with issues other than classwork.
Tracy-Ann,
Some colleges contract with service providers of couseling services in order to both better support students and to take a bit of the pressure off the staff.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree, sometimes at the end of the day I am exhausted from wearing so many different hats, although I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. I like to see my students excel in there academics but more so in their self confidence and achieving their goals no matter what they might be.
I have to agree with you , we encounter all kinds of students and it is important that we take the time to know then.
Lisa,
Sometimes the most important thing we do is to help students build EQ (emotional intelligence).
Jeffrey Schillinger
Well if “Mental Health†includes gaining confidence in one’s ability then I say “yes we areâ€. Working in a career specific school where students learn the required skill sets needed for the craft definitely boosts their confidence in their ability. This in turn allows them to gain employment in this field.
I agree because students are in a transitional phase when they are in school. They will bring emotional leakage to the school and it will be challenging but as the instructor that's why its important to be a mentor to listen to the students and understand options to offer them.
Teresa,
We are not conselors, but we can be effective advisors and ole models. It is a falacy to think students can leave problems at the door and just focus on learning. We have to be concerned and empathetic, without lowering standards.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Yes we are. We are always providing encouragement for our students. We talk with them from areas ranging from financial and personnal problems to helping them find a job in their career.
