John Perrin

Consistency changes attitudes, which changes lives! Each day I meet and greet my students with a smile and a cheery hello or comment! Even the saddest sad-sack can’t help but smile and, whether they realize it or not, adjust their attitude in a positive direction. A positive attitude makes the entire class and day more beneficial for everyone!

After looking at the overall goal of student retention, I believe goal is the key word. If in the recruitment / enrollment process the importance of goals and achieving your goals was made clear to the student they would focus more on their goal of being successful and therefore, not finishing their program would not even be an option.

I have found that applying a test of reasonableness to the various situations that come up is a good way to avoid making them into stress generators!

As a Technical school instructor it is just as critical that our tool boxes remain complete and up to date as our course handouts for the course curriculum. We utilize a tool box inventory system at the beginning and end of the class to insure each class (three per day)have tools. Written handouts are are always done in advance. All this gives the illusion to the students that we are organized on several levels.

It is very important to ensure that the student feels comfortable in their surroundings at this time in their lives. Making them feel welcome, assisting with job searches, living arrangements, school professionalism expectations, first course syllabus, testing requirements, class times, issuing books are all EQUALLY important to making them feel that they are in the right place at the right time.

I have found that a funny "mess-up" story about something I have done helps the students see that I am human and therefore, not scary.

It is very true that actually getting the enrolled students to start the program is difficult and perhaps "iffy" is appropriate. However, once in we always go the extra mile to ensure they are comfortable and confident that their decision has been the correct one. As this is a technical school, getting them into the "core of the program" or "meat and potato's" of the course as quickly as possible helps them see that they can do this! Once that realization happens, they are eager to come to school and learn more.

We begin each class with a thorough overview of the instructors credentials, what is expected of the students and what the school can provide to help them be successful. I is plain that being successful also means hard work.

I like to do what usually works well for everyone. Carefully explain each part, why it is required and how it works. I usually have retention rates in the high 80's and up. So, It seems the method works.

I have my student teams compete for engine assembly time and ,of course, correctness and function. They really pay attention during the lectures.