Providing Support for Students Will Help Them Succeed

Alexandra (Thompson) Blockton
AmeriCorps Member Teacher's Assistant – Adult Education
Lewis & Clark Community College
2021 IACEA Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year Winner

Have you ever thought to yourself, how beneficial it is to provide support for students? What is  the impact it has on their learning capabilities? No matter what your role is in Adult Education, whether you are in an administrative position, a pathway advocate, teacher, and/or coordinator, being able to support students matters in all areas. It may be for encouragement, comfort, and/or financial assistance.  

Adult Education learners come from all levels of society with diverse backgrounds. Some individuals may be young adults and others may be much older. However, they are all here to learn and to better their future. Often, these students have left school for some reason. There are also students who enroll in Adult Ed to receive their GED Diploma because it is a requirement for their employer.  

Providing support for students can assist them in reaching their personal, educational, career goals, and more. Students may be experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, have low literacy, and/or have been out of school for years, and they will need that extra push to keep them going. It really makes a difference in a student’s life when someone is there cheering them on for the next level in achieving their goals. 

According to the website www.rpgroup.org, listed here are 10 Ways Faculty Can Support Students’ Success:  

• Ask students about their educational and career goals. 
• Integrate career and educational goal exploration into course assignments. 
• Repeatedly ask students if they understand the course material and direct them to available assistance when needed.  
• Learn your students’ names and ask them how they are doing.
• Create opportunities for students to provide feedback on their experience in your course throughout the term. 
• Show students that you are proud to work at your institution and that they should be proud to be enrolled at your community college.  
• Provide opportunities for and encourage students to connect with and support each other. 
  
• Incorporate opportunities for students to share their personal and family history and culture in class assignments. 
  
• Connect or provide students with opportunities to help their peers.

Currently, in our Adult Ed program at Lewis and Clark Community College, pathway advocates meet with students both online and in-person to discuss their goals and barriers. Throughout the week, advocates check-in with students to see how they are doing and if there is anything they can help with. If students seem to be struggling with their classes and/or having any other learning difficulties, pathway advocates will inform teachers and counselors to assist within their learning style for accommodating that student. 

Our GED instructors, who are all teaching online due to Covid-19, also take time to support students in class. Before class begins, they make it a priority to ask students how they are doing, and while in the classroom encourage students to voice their opinion on learning styles that work best for them. One of the things I love the most is when teachers present their contact info, such as email and office phone numbers for students to reach them outside of class. Many times, students would prefer to speak to their instructor outside of class and this will assist them in being able to better explain themselves or any concerns they may have..

Being available to students and informing them that you are here to assist them really makes a difference because it will show them that you are willing to help them succeed. Sometimes these students may not have anyone who is encouraging them for the better, or if they do have someone, they may not be what the students are looking for. Once you take the time out and get to know your students, eventually, they will be comfortable in discussing their barriers and the goals they have set.