Our students are dealing with challenges that we, as educators, often have little knowledge or understanding of. This simple question can give us insight to some of these issues.
On the first day of a class, whether I'm teaching in person or online, I ask students to complete a "Getting to Know You" form. You may have a similar form you use - my form asked questions like, "Tell me what I can do as a teacher to help you be successful in the class" and "What are your perceptions of this class?" While the information I got was interesting and useful, it didn't really tell me much about my students.
A couple years ago I added this prompt:
On the back of this page, please complete the following sentence: "I wish my professor knew...."
I realized that students enjoyed answering this question, and the free-response, open-ended nature of it allowed students to share things I had never known before. Some students write a short phrase, others write several paragraphs. I give no other prompts, so students can share whatever they feel comfortable revealing.
While changing some details to provide confidentiality, here are some types of responses I have gotten from students:
I wish my professor knew:
-just how tired and anxious I am. All the time.
-that we are really busy with school, work, and families - and we like assignments that have meaning and aren't busy work.
-that I just found out my mom has breast cancer.
-that my roommate was killed in a car accident two months ago and I'm still dealing with it. Driving anywhere causes me great anxiety now.
-that I'm excited to graduate and become a nurse, but scared that I'm not prepared and might accidentally hurt a patient.
-that I'm excited to be done with school and be able to work full time as a nurse.
-that I fidget with things to be able to pay attention. Even if it looks like I'm distracted, I am engaged.
-that I work two jobs to be able to pay for this semester and sometimes I work nights, so if I look really tired, I am.
-that I love puppies.
-I have a three-month old baby who I am breast feeding, so on long class days I pump on breaks. If I'm late coming back from a break that is why.
-I have a GI disorder and may need to suddenly get up to go to the bathroom. Please don't call me out on this. I'll try to be quiet when I get up and come back.
-that my car just broke down and I'm still figuring out how I'm going to get to class and clinical.
-I'm taking care of my elderly grandfather at home and sometimes have to miss class if he is sick that day.
-how to juggle.
As you can see, not all of the responses are serious - but many are. I read through all the responses after class and send emails to the students who have shared something serious. I thank them for sharing. I want them to know that I read their responses and that I am willing to extend grace. I emphasize that I want them to be successful.
I hope this question also lets students know that I am approachable, and that if something happens or comes up during the semester they can share it with me.
When we show interest in our students' lives, we are telling them that we care. By having a better understanding of the challenges our students face, I believe I am better prepared as an educator to support them in being successful in my course.
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