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Ask a question from your peers to help you in your professional work. Seek different points of view on a topic that interests you. Start a thought-provoking conversation about a hot, current topic. Encourage your peers to join you in the discussion, and feel free to facilitate the discussion. As a community of educators, all members of the Career Ed Lounge are empowered to act as a discussion facilitator to help us all learn from each other.

Allison Yourechko
Allison Yourechko

Creating a Syllabus That Fits Your Personality

I personally do not believe in using a standard syllabus and filling in blanks. I feel as though each instructor should be given a general template and be allowed to fill in information based on their personal expectations of the student in regard to polices from the institution. It is more difficult for instructors to follow a standard syllabus and in turn it may seem to the students that they care less about the class because they are simply following standard procedure.
Dorothea Barrington-Keith
Dorothea Barrington-Keith CHEP

Unity - Team Work

Teamwork is the key to success in any business, whether its a mom/popa two man shop or a Fortune 500 Organization. Without teamwork, there's a dysfuntion within, and will affect the whole institution.
Dorothea Barrington-Keith
Dorothea Barrington-Keith CHEP

The Hello Zone

This topic also referrs back to the 'First Impression Zone. Make it a habit to always smile, and speak to a student when passing, even if they do not speak back. students will always remember you and speak whenever the opportunity arrises.
Karen Durand
Karen Durand

Whistle while you work

I was shocked to see that it takes 11 people to undo the damage of one negative person. Wow, I feel tired already. Determining if a person truly is mission-driven is a critical part of a successful school. If faculty and staff don't believe that the students can succeed--how are the students expected to believe it?
Karen Durand
Karen Durand

When life gives you lemons...

Yes, I can still taste lemons after reading the visualization exercise! I love this strategy and see the need to incorporate it more in the classroom. This is a great starting point.
Karen Durand
Karen Durand

We're all in this together!

I think all staff and faculty members in a college need to "Walk a Mile" in the shoes of a co-worker to truly appreciate what they do. We recently completed just that at our campus, and I think everyone gained a new respect for others. Morale is critical in a school--because our customers (students) sense a positive or negative atmosphere, we have the potential to keep them with our attitudes--or watch them slip away because we haven't created the right environment.
Dorothea Barrington-Keith
Dorothea Barrington-Keith CHEP

Accountability

Students/educators should be held accountable for following through with their choice of delivery techniques. Students look to the educator to help mold them with skilled learning techniques so that they can be successful in their choice of career. If we fail as educators, what chances do our students have.
Dorothea Barrington-Keith
Dorothea Barrington-Keith CHEP

Customer Service

I agree with the fact that students are the customers in a learning environment. It our reponsibility as educators to ensure that our customers receive the best quality educationional training we/educators can offer. Therefore, our customers/students will know that we care about their success.
Cheri Durst
Cheri Durst

Positive Influence

I have found that a positive influence is something that others take note of. They think it's odd that an individual never speaks negatively and in fact, finds something positive in every situation. I often tell my students to operate on the "Thumper" rule. Thumper's mother (the bunny in the movie Bambi) always says, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!" She was very wise!
Cheri Durst
Cheri Durst

Have fun!

I love the ideas that were presented where you are free to think outside the box. I appreciate music and have used it in the classroom to calm students down before taking an exam. I also love telling good stories with a purpose. It's a great way to get students to remember important concepts. I think these things make a teacher "real" to students and hopefully they will feel comfortable approaching the instructor with issues that may come up. These things are a great way to "connect" with students.
Cheri Durst
Cheri Durst

Safe Place

My office is a safe place for students who are discouraged, frustrated or upset to come for a "time out". They know it's a place where they will not be judged and where they can vent their frustrations and/or fears. They will find a listening ear and suggestions/advice upon request. It's also a place to share good news and happy times! The most important thing is that whatever discussion takes place will be kept in confidence and will not be "spread" around. Honestly, some colleagues find it beneficial and use my safe place as well!
Karen Durand
Karen Durand

not getting lost in the paperwork

I find this to be a wonderful start to a retention module. Like many others in education, I am responsible for many organizational tasks and sometimes find myself glued to my office chair. I love the idea of connecting with 5 students at least once per week to create a bond. This is a good way to get me away from my desk--and can also keep the true purpose of my job in perspective...the students!!!
Amanda Richman
Amanda Richman

Boundaries

The part of my job I take the most seriously is treating students with care and immediate respect, and many times this works well in developing a good relationships. The negative side to that (for me)is setting boundaries. I want students to feel welcome and sincerely cared for, but sometimes that leads to me being walked over - or to students not respecting me. Do you have any tips on maintaining boundaries/discipline while still showing kindness and acceptance to students? I know this is an integral part of the 3 Ms, and I'd really like to develop those skills. Thank you.
Stephen Walker
Stephen Walker

Having a sense of Belonging

Students want to be safe and comfortable in their learning environment and they want a sense of belonging. Often times as instructors we miss some small non-verbal ques from the students that they feel as though they don't belong.When this happens we need to realize this and make adjustments
Kenny Covington
Kenny Covington

Attention vs Retention

I have found that many times the very things our faculty and staff want to hold our students accountable for, they arent doing themselves. I have often told my Department Chairs that they are the faces of their particular program and that the students they teach will take on the personality of their leader. It is the paying attention to detail that allows us to find the needle in the hay stack.
Kenny Covington
Kenny Covington

Retention Program

I think the first key element to a successful retention program is to first figure out who on your faculty and staff are supportive in your quest to improve your current situation.
Kenny Covington
Kenny Covington

Intervention

I have found that probably the biggest mistake we make as educators is we tend to have an "I want to fix it" attitude and alot of times the students simply just want someone to vent to.
Kenny Covington
Kenny Covington

stress

Stress is what you encounter when you are unprepared for a particular set of circumstances that find their way into your world. How you deal with these circumstances many times will determine your stress level.
Kenny Covington
Kenny Covington

It has been my experience that retention is similar to someone shopping at a chosen store. If you maintain that customer, then they have bought into what you are selling. When you lose a student, just like when you lose a customer, they no longer are interested in your product. Even though at this time it can be difficult, you have to find out why.
Lauren Thompson
Lauren Thompson

Setting the ground work for the rest of the class

If you show your glad they are there and you really want to help the be sucessful and show an interest in them you are off to a great start. I don't mean you let them run the class but with a plan to help them get started on the right path you are going to be someone the students can relate to and feel they can come to you for help. Have a plan to involve them in the class.