It is one thing to be an instructor and be the image of authority and the go-to for all answers. That is a tremendous feat to take on for one individual. However, it should not be so daunting. While students might have all the needs and wants, there is a finite amount an instructor can do. The most an instructor can do breaks down into two categories:
> Empathy:
An instructor can take the time to relate and recognize that behavior(s) might be sparked by events in a student’s life. For example, a student might live with other people they hardly know and the roommates are loud and disruptive. This creates a difficult situation at home for the student because they cannot study or sleep. This results in the student coming to class late, becoming irritable and doing poor lab work.
> Resources:
An instructor can be very helpful in assisting any student by recognizing the problem and solution. The solution being who next to hand the student off to so the student can get the necessary attention required to overcome their impediment to their success. Most educational institutions have people that are better equipped to address issues and focus on solutions. The best thing an instructor can do is listen and provide guidance.
