Can a teacher wrong a student?

[curlyque221]

I am what is called an "Academic Coach" at Rutgers University. I serve both undergraduate and graduate students. I essentially work to make better, independent students who feel successful by the end of their college career.

I am currently sitting in my office doing nothing but thinking (I have had 6 students already this morning and I will finish off the day with two more, starting in about 30 minutes) and I began to wonder about what happens when a student takes what I give them, brings it back to their professors, and they don't do better in their classes?

For example, today I worked with a student, who isn't a native english speaker, on writing papers. I helped him organize his thoughts, organize the paper structure, and went over some rules of the english language. While my grammatical corrections may have helped (we're not allowed to edit any papers...it's considered plagiarism), what if what I taught him, isn't what the professor wanted?

Another example, I helped a history student choose a topic for his research and guided him to different sources, available from our library. What if I could have better guided this student?

I had a another student this morning discussing social work with me, discussing not only literary analysis, but also the sensitive subject matter with which she was working. How do I know that I didn't confuse her more (though in this instance she left with a paper topic, the name of a librarian to contact to get primary sources, and a better handle on how she was going to present her sensitive materials)?

I see a good number of students every day...some of them have to be benefitting from my services.

What do you do when you can't help someone though? Or what do you do when you find you tried, and you didn't help?

Just thinking out loud...

[Rouger2]

Try your hardest and give it your best shot that is all anyone can do. I have a feeling that you are doing just fine.

[curlyque221]

I don't doubt that i can teach. I wouldn't have taken the job if I had any doubts...

I think my thought process was more philosophical. We (for the most part) take what teachers give us to be truth, essentially. I guess it's slightly chaotic for me to wonder what would happen if teachers started giving false information, with or without poor intentions.

[Phantom]

Be upfront about your competence regarding any advice you give. If you don't know what you're talking about, don't give advice. If you think you can help a little, but the help is an area not of your expertise - be sure the students understand this.

[7960]

Originally Posted by curlyque221

...what happens when a student takes what I give them, brings it back to their professors, and they don't do better in their classes?.............what if what I taught him, isn't what the professor wanted?

It's better than what the professor would have gotten if you didn't help, that's for sure.

Another example, I helped a history student choose a topic for his research and guided him to different sources, available from our library. What if I could have better guided this student?

The student came to you, correct? You gave advice the student choose to accept, or not. You're thinking about this the wrong way. You're thinking "did I do enough?" when really you should be thinking "the student came to me with no direction and I helped point him in a direction."

I had a another student this morning discussing social work with me, discussing not only literary analysis, but also the sensitive subject matter with which she was working. How do I know that I didn't confuse her more (though in this instance she left with a paper topic, the name of a librarian to contact to get primary sources, and a better handle on how she was going to present her sensitive materials)?

How do you know you didn't just plant the seed for a graduate thesis?

I see a good number of students every day...some of them have to be benefitting from my services.

What do you do when you can't help someone though? Or what do you do when you find you tried, and you didn't help?

I was a public school teacher. Sad as it may be and wrong as it may sound, you can't help everyone. Some people can't get it, won't get it, and refuse to allow themselves to get it. Focus on the ones who want help. As you're advising make sure you're asking for their feedback. Don't push your idea on them...give them choices and make them choose, then guide direction from that choice.

[RMNIXON]

Understand there is a line. Helping a student learn is not doing the work for them. You will get a personal sense of when you are helping and when you are doing too much for them. You should not spend time concerned with what every professors wants. The good professors will appreciate the effort and the improvement and the bad ones who simply want lap dogs don't appreciate anyone outside their sacred captive audience anyway.

Good luck!

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by 7960

I was a public school teacher. Sad as it may be and wrong as it may sound, you can't help everyone. Some people can't get it, won't get it, and refuse to allow themselves to get it. Focus on the ones who want help. As you're advising make sure you're asking for their feedback. Don't push your idea on them...give them choices and make them choose, then guide direction from that choice.

I never would have guessed!

Can we have you cloned?

[7960]

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

I never would have guessed!

Can we have you cloned?

I sense sarcasm, but ............ I'm confused.


cliffs: huh?

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by 7960

I sense sarcasm, but ............ I'm confused.


cliffs: huh?

You just don't sound like the kind of person who thinks "No Child Left Behind"
means dumbing down so others can keep pace? You do your best in each situation. You are not expected to be a miracle worker.

[7960]

Originally Posted by RMNIXON

You just don't sound like the kind of person who thinks "No Child Left Behind"

NCLB is criminal in my opinion.

It's more like "No child allowed ahead."