Absolutely agree with your comment. While being teachers we are also counselors and advisors and social workers, etc. We relate with the students and hear their most intimate issues at times. We practice active listening and provide constructive guidance quite often (on a day to day basis).
I agree, because we have to take on so many different roles in order to be accessable to our students who themselves may or may not be mentally stable in thier lives.
With some student's this is true but not all of them. The ones who have come from a background where there has not been much success seem to be the ones who need the most mentoring.
They simply do not believe in themselves and it is our job to try and put that belief back inside them.
We are as we hear the stories of the students past present and future experiences. We are also in the position of listening, presenting an empathetic view and being there to support, console and motivate the students into achieving their goals, no matter what the odds are.
Absolutely! If students mind's are overwhelmed with the financial, emotional, relationship, parents, children, friends, partners, and work related stress then adding projects, homework, groupwork and attending classes can just become too much for some to handle. In checking in with students on a regular basis, giving the students resources such as instructors they trust, program directors and student services personnel to speak with will significantly reduce the negative "mental health" issues that we deal with on a regular basis. Again, knowing your students and having that rapport with them gives you the head's up when something really is going on with them that may need to be addressed immediately.
Karin,
Rapport is the big difference maker! Thanks for pointing it out.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I agree, handling a group of 20 to 30 individual personalities for 6 hours a day, and to have them actually learn something is nothing short of a miracle.
I agree. We have to help the students be in a good state of mind, so that they will be successful with school. As an instructor I want my students to succeed!
Scott,
"Miracle" is an interesting choice of terms. I never felt that I was performing miracles when I had successful students.
Jeffrey Schillinger
Yes, I do agree with this statement. We must realize that our students are facing challenges outside of the classroom. These challenges could have an impact on their success at school. By acknowledging this and helping the student through these challenges, we are in fact helping the student to succeed and reach their goals.
yes, i do. I feel students need to be mentally healthy in order to achieve. sometimes all we as educators need to do is a little "doctoring" of the student's mental attitude towards school and assignments and the light goes on and they move down the "success" road rather than the "failure" road. I always try to instill in my students the absolute value of having an education and the need to move forward every day.
I Totally agree, because when the students feel comfortable with you they will come to you with all of their problems. Which means that not only are we the instructors but we do become the "mental mentor" as well. Many students come in not mentally stable and in order to keep order in the class we have to deal with the mental issues and sometimes walk students through that trying time.
Yes I do agree, because when the students feel comfortable with us as instructors, they began to open up more to us. With that being said some of the students are not mentally there, and yes we do have to be "mental mentors" as well.
Thanks, Cordelia.
What do you mean by "not mentally there?"
Jeffrey Schillinger
i disagree. unless the instructor is a trained therapist, they shouldn't give out mental health advice. however, instructors should be aware of resources in their area to refer individuals who may be experiencing issues.
Julie,
As educators, we often are asked for advise, We should give our best advise to students, but we should not try to be counselors.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I totally agree. You have to be intuitive to students who are struggling, and try to determine is it a classroom issue or something else. Sometimes a simple "Hows it going, anything I can do to help" makes all the difference for them. Many times you can direct the student to a department that can help them with what ever problem they are experiencing if you can't yourself. Lets not forget to celebrate accomplishments also. Positive attitutes are contagious. YEA
David,
Celebrating accomplishments is a big deal. Thanks for pointing it out.
Jeffrey Schillinger
I absolutely agree. A lot of my students are 1st year college students that are taking our automotive / diesel technology courses because they feel that they have a passion for it. Unfortunately, for some of the students, their passion came from watching unrealistic movies such as "The Fast and the Furious". We have to really concentrate on mentoring the student to keep their passion, but to also focus them on building a successful career with their education.This means keeping the student happy as a customer/individual while educating them in automotive and diesel repair, professionalism, appearence, cutomer service, strong work ethics,life altering decisions and so on. Making the right decisions in your work and personnal life will definately help in keeping you mentally healthy and happy.
Oh, yes I believe that. Some of these peoples lives are awful. And the fact thast they are trying to better their lives is amazing. So we need to be another Positive aspect in their lives, not a negative force! All components go together to create a whole being - mental, spiritual, emotional, physical. We, as educators, play a role in all of these factors.
