And finally, why did I say the FYE teachers and advisers are
probably the most
caring of faculty or staff on campus? Because they are. Do you really think
that by and
large most academics other than the FYE teachers and advisers would be in those
first year
classes if they had a choice? Think they would much prefer to deal more with
professional
upper-class majors or graduates? Do you really think that institutional
leaders who crowd
those first year students into nameless and faceless lecture halls by the
hundreds in the
name of economy and efficiency really are fond of those students or give much
credence to
those classes? Do you think institutions would be concerned with retention and
graduation
numbers if it weren't for obligations imposed by contemporary outside
pressures? Do you
think the students don't know all that? Why do you think those students are
stunned,
literally stunned, when a professor truly cares about them and respects them?
If you want
a glimpse at the answers to these questions, take a look at PBS' Declining by
Degrees.
Now, why are those first year students crucial? My god, they're
human beings.
They're each a sacred, noble, valuable human being. They are each are
someone's son or
daughter and we should treat them no less than we would want someone to treat
our son or
daughter That's all anyone should have to say. But, alas, it's not. I've said
this once
and I will say it over and over and over again. I will shout it from the
rooftop and
mountain peaks. What if we imagined that an angel preceded each student,
walking before
her or him proclaiming: 'Make way! Make way for someone created in the image
of God!'
What if we constantly thought of this, believed this, felt this, lived by this,
clearly
saw and heard such divine and ethereal messengers. Think it would make a
difference how
we would see each of those students, how we would listen to her or him, how we
would feel
about and think of and behave towards her or him? It does. Trust me. I
know.
In a practical sense, those FYE programs are critical. Why?
Because the
first year students are at the intersection of fundamental issues for
themselves as well
as for the whole of society. If you nurture them and they make it through
successfully,
they're set up for life, and society is better for their achievement. If you
weed them
out and they don't make it, they could end up in the burdensome underclass.
This is why
it's almost malfeasance to treat the first year students the way most are
coldly,
matter-of-factly, even callously treated outside the FYE programs.
Do you know what caring, respecting, loving do? The FYE people do.
They know
those attitudes encourage optimal intellectual, emotional, and spiritual
growth; they know
where caring rules, there is no will to ignore. They know that the creative
heart and
mind plays with those whom they love. They know the condemnation does not
liberate, it
oppresses. They know respect does not oppress, it liberates. They know caring,
respecting, and love believe in the impossible and makes the impossible happen.
They know
caring, respect, and loving defy all reason. They know these attitudes don't
let their
humanity get numbed by automatic conformity or uniformity. Instead, they force
an
individualization of those in that classroom, clarify vision, focus the senses,
and
strengthen convictions. They know that caring, respecting, and loving offer a
deep
immersion with students that nourish and enrich-and scares the hell out of
those who
don't.
That is why a teacher-student relationship based on trust and
respect and
confidentiality--and love--is so crucial. I see it all the time. Respect,
caring, and
love connect, empower, illuminate and understand like nothing else can. When
given the
chance and support and encouragement, these supposedly "don't belong," "letting
everyone
in" students are incredibly thoughtful, creative, imaginative, and talented.
If you just
love them, they lose their attitude; they stop posturing they come out from
behind their
defensive masks of toughness or shyness; they melt; and, they make it.
Enough. Susan is stirring. Got to keep getting ready for China.
We leave
early tomorrow morning.
Make it a good day.
--Louis--
Louis Schmier www.therandomthoughts.com
Department of History www.newforums.com/L_Schmier.htm
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\
(229-333-5947) /^\\/ \/ \ /\/\____/\ \/\
/ \ \__ \/ /
\ /\/
\ \ /\
//\/\/ /\ \_ /
/___\/\ \ \
\/ \
/\"If you want to climb
mountains \ /\
_/ \ don't practice on mole
hills" -/
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