tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post652611329501581268..comments2024-03-10T20:46:19.274-04:00Comments on In the Middle: on becoming a better teacherCord J. Whitakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06224143153295429986noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-61683618684396338422017-10-27T22:36:14.456-04:002017-10-27T22:36:14.456-04:00Thank you for this post. I was once that strugglin...Thank you for this post. I was once that struggling college student, and I leaned heavily on counseling services and other resources my college provided. I doubt I would have made it without them. As a teacher, I see similar struggles in my students. I always direct them to counseling services, but I've been hesitant to do anything to seem as though I'm pushing "too hard." (I suppose I'm concerned that my own positive experience with counseling might color my opinion of it, and so I'm pushing it on my students.) After reading this, though, I'm starting to re-think that hesitance. I appreciate the thoughtfulness. Thank you.Briananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-690590960831875222016-02-04T12:53:01.074-05:002016-02-04T12:53:01.074-05:00Hi Jeffrey,
Thank you for making this post. I had...Hi Jeffrey,<br /><br />Thank you for making this post. I had a couple of teachers in highschool who were really remarkable in helping in the exact ways you mention above - telling us about resources, and one time when my friend was feeling suicidal after starting her anti-depressant, a teacher took her to the doctor and made sure it was attended to. Their care for us as individuals outside of the classroom made a huge impact in our lives. Thank you for sharing your experience; I hope others take it to heart.karinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03399168269865738780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-45483349364006566442016-02-04T12:19:32.727-05:002016-02-04T12:19:32.727-05:00I usually invite the school counselor to speak bri...I usually invite the school counselor to speak briefly to my classes at the start of term (especially developmental English, since those students are often very vulnerable). He discusses their services, and we talk a little about how we can all look out for each other and encourage others to seek help. I don't know if it has ever gotten anyone past the hurdle of taking the first step, but it might and that's enough for me.Rebecca Brackmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04500232638836780629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-14692784704395800602016-02-02T10:16:32.411-05:002016-02-02T10:16:32.411-05:00Thanks for this, Jeffrey - it's a heartfelt po...Thanks for this, Jeffrey - it's a heartfelt post and all the more valuable for that. I've been reflecting on this quite a bit lately, as I've been teaching a training session for postgraduates and others teaching for the first time. How can we strike a balance between being open and generous to students and taking care of ourselves as teachers as well? That said, I really like your idea of putting mention of mental health services in the syllabus and offering to walk students there. I think those of us who are clued up to mental health issues forget how many others are not, and how students may have had some very bad experiences with teachers who don't understand at all. Even just making it known that you will come to a support situation sympathetic to issues of mental/emotional distress is a big help, especially for students who have been brushed off elsewhere and might have been put off asking for the help they need. <br /><br />I do tell those I work with that we are not mental health professionals - but as you say, that can be interpreted as 'so take a hands-off approach'. I like the approach here - we are not mental health professionals, but we can be useful <i>alongside</i> them in helping students to access the services they need and to continue learning in the best way for them while doing so.Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18103404409681927866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-50160622241759460072016-02-01T20:00:13.509-05:002016-02-01T20:00:13.509-05:00I'd also like to thank you for this post, and ...I'd also like to thank you for this post, and for "being there" for your students. Not only did I personally suffer similarly in college, and not only did a professor help to save my own life, but as a future teacher I often wonder if I should bring that experience with me for my students, and to attempt to activate what I learned during those years for other young people in need, simply in the way of being present and warm, and praising courage when one sees it. Your voice is a very welcome addition to my considerations of the matter. LAudaPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06173568238517453039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21165575.post-41395216408989605032016-02-01T15:05:48.440-05:002016-02-01T15:05:48.440-05:00Thanks for this, Jeffrey. I had two very intense s...Thanks for this, Jeffrey. I had two very intense student experiences in the fall, and it led me to reach out to a few people in student services to try to get a sense of the broader lay of the land. Evidently, people who work in residence halls, student life, and counseling say that there is a nationwide uptick in student psychological and mental distress. Hard to pin down causes, but you hear a lot of talk about family pressure, financial pressure, the economy, global warming: the endemic features of a society in flux, crisis, and self-doubt. But there is always a personal story, as well, and that first conversation with somebody outside the family is often the most important step to some kind of healing. I wish you and your son the very best. Ashby Kinchnoreply@blogger.com