My recent post on Facebook was this: If we are going to engage students
to dream goals, we must help them create plans for success.
So how do we do that?
We have all heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child.
Well, it also takes a village to help a student find their way to college
and/or a career. If we have learned anything at all from history, there is
wisdom in the multitude of counsel.
Here are some points about how to engage students to set some goals and
create plans for their future:
First, make time to have conversations with your student. Take them to
Starbucks, Panera’s, or any favorite nook where they can relax and share their ideas.
This is not a reactive listening session, but an active solicitation of
thoughts, dreams, ideas, goals, etc. Don’t react, but let them free-think and
sort out their ideas.
Second, encourage them to research the topics that come up in your
conversations. Help them synthesize the information and compare and contrast
career choices, college opportunities, and future goals.
Third, let them explore. Help them find ways to volunteer in service
organizations, get a part-time job, shadow you or a friend at work for a day,
and visit college campuses while on vacation. These experiences will provide
new information and help them explore their interests.
Fourth, help without hovering. This is where it can be difficult to
determine when you are doing too much, or too little. Ultimately, we want our
students to take personal responsibility for their life, however it is our
responsibility to guide them along the way. Help them determine some goals and
show them how to establish a plan to achieve them. Then let them…
Fifth, success is born from the tenacity it takes to overcome our
failures. There will be some failures along the way. Encourage them to start
over as many times as it takes.
Finally, pray. This is every parent’s foundation; the constant prayers
of parents do not go unanswered.
May your village be full of wisdom and understanding as you encourage
your student to dream and create plans for their success. You are not alone!
On the journey,
Elton O. Brooke, Ed. D.
