This week, our Motivation Monday reading was "7 Things High School Juniors Can Do to Prepare for College". If you get a chance, please read through it. There are some great reminders to discuss with your student, especially if you have any who are juniors or younger. For this entry, I would like to focus on item #1: Build Relationships with Teachers.
The article focused on the importance of fostering those relationships so that students have resources to get letters of recommendation during the college and scholarship application process. Several students added that, since every teacher has of course graduated from college themselves, they could get advice from teachers about topics ranging from the application process, to scholarship opportunities, to college itself - what it's like, study habits to build, why they chose the college they went to, etc. I think that's a great idea! Nothing talking to someone who's "been there" to get an idea of what you are in for.
But I think there is another great reason to build relationships with teachers.
Every semester, every year, I hear things from parents and students like: "I would have done better on that test, but I didn't understand the material."; "I didn't know you that Jenny could retake a test in your class!"; "I didn't understand the instructions, so I never finished the assignment."; "What do you mean there was a due date? When did you collect that?!". Sadly, issues like these could have been handled LONG before the end of the semester, had a student just come to me to ask questions or get a little help.
Where am I going with this? How about building those relationships with teachers, and making those connections, so that you feel more comfortable approaching an instructor - or any other "authority figure" for that matter? In class I pointed out that it seems as though more students are much less likely to come see me (or other teachers for that matter) or seek help from me. Maybe there is a concept they don't understand, but don't ask for help. Maybe they have a question about their grade, but don't speak up in a timely manner. Or maybe they are confused about an assignment or due date, but don't ask for clarification.
This skill is referred to as self-advocacy - representing one's own views or values in a timely, respectful manner - a valuable skill in many settings, not just school. By building those teacher relationships and practicing self-advocacy in the relatively low-threat, familiar setting of high school, it might be easier to approach the professor of your college class with a question or clarification someday. Or seek an appointment with your advisor. Or talk to your manager about changing your hours so you have time for schoolwork. Or asking your doctor for clarification on a prescribed treatment.
I think I speak for most teachers - and definitely for myself - when I say that we WANT you to ask questions, get clarification, and advocate for yourself! So many conflicts that occur between teachers, parents and students stem from misunderstandings that could have been avoided if the student had respectfully gone to the teacher in a timely manner to discuss the matter. I post my GPS schedule every week and welcome students to see me after school. I schedule after-school study sessions. I even encourage students to bring their lunch to talk or work while we eat! I went into this career because I WANT to help students be successful (despite what I am sure many of them think). Sadly, too many of them never take advantage of these opportunities.
Two important keys to keep in mind:
Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.
Mr. Mason
The article focused on the importance of fostering those relationships so that students have resources to get letters of recommendation during the college and scholarship application process. Several students added that, since every teacher has of course graduated from college themselves, they could get advice from teachers about topics ranging from the application process, to scholarship opportunities, to college itself - what it's like, study habits to build, why they chose the college they went to, etc. I think that's a great idea! Nothing talking to someone who's "been there" to get an idea of what you are in for.
But I think there is another great reason to build relationships with teachers.
Every semester, every year, I hear things from parents and students like: "I would have done better on that test, but I didn't understand the material."; "I didn't know you that Jenny could retake a test in your class!"; "I didn't understand the instructions, so I never finished the assignment."; "What do you mean there was a due date? When did you collect that?!". Sadly, issues like these could have been handled LONG before the end of the semester, had a student just come to me to ask questions or get a little help.
Where am I going with this? How about building those relationships with teachers, and making those connections, so that you feel more comfortable approaching an instructor - or any other "authority figure" for that matter? In class I pointed out that it seems as though more students are much less likely to come see me (or other teachers for that matter) or seek help from me. Maybe there is a concept they don't understand, but don't ask for help. Maybe they have a question about their grade, but don't speak up in a timely manner. Or maybe they are confused about an assignment or due date, but don't ask for clarification.
This skill is referred to as self-advocacy - representing one's own views or values in a timely, respectful manner - a valuable skill in many settings, not just school. By building those teacher relationships and practicing self-advocacy in the relatively low-threat, familiar setting of high school, it might be easier to approach the professor of your college class with a question or clarification someday. Or seek an appointment with your advisor. Or talk to your manager about changing your hours so you have time for schoolwork. Or asking your doctor for clarification on a prescribed treatment.
I think I speak for most teachers - and definitely for myself - when I say that we WANT you to ask questions, get clarification, and advocate for yourself! So many conflicts that occur between teachers, parents and students stem from misunderstandings that could have been avoided if the student had respectfully gone to the teacher in a timely manner to discuss the matter. I post my GPS schedule every week and welcome students to see me after school. I schedule after-school study sessions. I even encourage students to bring their lunch to talk or work while we eat! I went into this career because I WANT to help students be successful (despite what I am sure many of them think). Sadly, too many of them never take advantage of these opportunities.
Two important keys to keep in mind:
- Be respectful. Even if it's a potential conflict. Calmly talk to your teacher, and give them the benefit of the doubt that they are actually willing to listen. And give them them benefit of the doubt that they know what they are doing and want you to be successful.
- Be timely. Don't put it off, thinking "it will all work out". Most issues are best resolved as soon as possible (especially if it could affect your grade!). Too often, issues go unaddressed until it is too late to do something about it.
Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions.
Mr. Mason