Of all of the content of this segment, the information on blind spots is probably most helpful for me and some of my coworkers/faculty. Both educators and staff can get caught up in not being able to see some of our most challenging (and challenged) students as being able to "make it through" the program. This to me, is where diversity in our staff's experiences and personalities can be a great resource. It is so obvious, sometimes we forget to "bounce" things off one another to obtain a perspective we could not otherwise have imagined, let alone seen for ourselves. Good job for bringing this to light.

I try to use the WIIFM with students,asking,how much more $$$ could you make,by being better the the next guy.Some of us are motivated very differently and money plays HUGE factor in the day to day successes and failures of both instructor and student.

Meeting class of adult ladies first time and acquaintace enters and takes the remaining front row seat. She annouces that her mother died a few days ago, she has no other family or ties in the community and doesn't see reason to complete school. Go ahead and pass out the class syllabus. Tell the grieving student that I am listening to her feelings. Encourage her to share her grief with a mutual friend of her mother's. Assure her that other staff members and myself are here to help her regain her purpose. Make a note to ask our student services coordinator to check on her. Plan to monitor all of the students on their first assignments to get a good start.

accepting and understanding the illusionary sphere we live in can sometime alleviate the amount of stress we are creating for ourselves in response to the environment around us. if we acknowledge its effect we then have a better chance to cope with it in adressing the outcome. the question is, can we really change the outcome

our job is to teach, as teachers we cannot change people, they have to change themselve in sharing knowledge, we act as a guiding light and supporting hand. remember the first time you learned to ride a bicycle,maybe you were successful the first time, maybe you failled down time and time again, or maybe you just gave up. the world is not perfect and natural selection remind us that the universe isn't as forgiving. but what would you have done if you never had the support from that special person. if offering help is the right thing to do, then so is retention and it starts now

I attempt to attend as many graduations as possible, the students really appreciate seeing as many instructors attending and shows our gratitude for all the hard work they have done.

Often help is available: money,gas card, food but the students pride will not allow them to take help. What are some of the best ways to ease the students concerns and bolster pride and gain get them to take the support?

What a devolution! Calling to Career to Job to Necessary evil. Having every student to follow his or her calling might take more than a quarter of study. These second year technical college students simply writ a paragraph about their career goals three years hence. Some express surprisingly high objectives. If they shoot for the moon and hit the clouds, it's better than aiming for the clouds and reaching the second floor.

we have alot of intelligent hearts - most if not all the instructors go out of thier way to help our students stay in school and to be asuccessful person at the end

A smile and a short hello how are you doing will go along way to making a good first impression

I agree we are in the mental health business also we must learn to look for signs that something in not right with our students. mood changes habit changes Sometims the student only needs someone to vent to about the things going on in his or her life and sometimes you might have to refer them to a professional counselor to handle a bigger problem. but as an instructor it is part of you responsibility to know your students

I had an instructor in a high school tech class that followed these procedures and i didnt see it then but when i became an instructor myself i understood why he was so concerned with our well being and how important our success was to him.

How would you describe your school's culture? Is it made up of "Intelligent Hearts?" What is your perception of an "Intelligent Heart"?

Human beings form a "First Impression" in 2 to 5 seconds. How can you make a better first impression with your students?

Some career educators state that in addition to being in the education business, we are also in the "mental health" business. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Most of us have had mentors that significantly influenced our thoughts, actions and directions. Can you explain how one or two mentors have truly impacted your life? What effect has that had on your role as a career educator?

Most of us have had mentors that significantly influenced our thoughts, actions and directions. Can you explain how one or two mentors have truly impacted your life? What effect has that had on your role as a career educator?

On the first day of a new rotation I inform the class that I am available for tutoring before or after class, if they are struggling with the computer work assigned let me know during class and I will make any and all accommodations possible for one on one time with them, and then reinforce that I will do whatever it takes to ensure they have an understanding of the information in this class. Just by letting them know I am making myself available seems to open the door for some students that would otherwise be hesitant to approach me on their own.

It is important to remember what keeps you motivated and what obstacles you have overcome or try to put yourself in the student's situation. They need to be encouraged to work through the issues and not allowed to use them as excuses to give up.

I believe it is evry Instructors job to improve the lives of his students. Dispalying a positive, freindly,& helpful attitude in class is very important to the students. Also holding them to high standards helps prepare them for later life and gives them a barometer of how they are doing. Helping them aquire the skills needed to succede is basically job one, but, you also have to show them you care about their personal outcome.