Comment on Raul Martinez's post: I agree with your comment about the need to "care" for students. We, as instructors, can demonstrate caring in many ways. Below are some ideas on caring for our students, but they can also be applied to caring for our colleagues, too. It follows:
- Direct personal engagement signals to students that they are valued as individuals rather than just names on a roster.
- Personal Recognition: Learning and correctly pronouncing students' names as early as possible is a foundational signal of respect.
- Consistent Greetings: Greeting students at the door with a smile or a brief "hello" can increase engagement and reduce disruptive behavior.
- Availability: Being approachable both inside and outside the classroom—such as through office hours, prompt email responses (ideally within 24 hours), or brief "casual chats"—demonstrates genuine interest in student success.
Active Listening: Giving students full attention, setting aside technology, and maintaining eye level when speaking one-on-one shows that their perspectives matter.
