Though the efforts are being made, in many countries like India, where educational institutions cannot afford a full time or even a part time counselors, trainers/ facilitators/ teachers, are required to take up this responsibility. This role puts the teacher in a very different perspective than just the conventional role of disseminating information in learning.
The traditional role of a teacher requires him/her to be a counselor for his students. Many teachers are not comfortable in handling this additional and sensitive responsibility. The reasons for this could be multiple – lack of training, burden of work, large number of students etc. Even if a teacher is not comfortable, this role has to be undertaken at some stage during the student's educational journey. This role acquires further importance while handling students with special needs. The special need could be anything from a physical to a physiological disability. Though teachers working with learners with special needs are given specific training in professional development courses, their training may not be sufficient for what is actually needed in the classroom.
The problem that students with disabilities face could be of a varying nature. It could be:
- Regarding Resources Management (Insufficiency, Complete lack or Mismanagement);
- Lack of Motivation;
- Lack of Information;
- Emotional Management (Family, Friends etc.);
- Assimilation (Family, Classmates etc.)
To be able to deliver in this role of counselor, a teacher needs to have good communication skills, needs to be a good listener, needs to have a lot of information, an empathetic attitude, a good rapport with the students and needs to be a good motivator. The learner has to be approached in a very engaging manner.
A few things that need to be kept in mind while discharging this responsibility for the teacher are the following:
Be a good listener: Remember, to be a good listener. Listening, has to be not just for the sake of listening, it has to be effective listening. The topic ‘Do teachers need to be good listeners?’ can also be read along. The learner needs to be encouraged to speak.
Assessment of need: It is important to assess the need of the learner. It is likely that the learner is just looking for some motivation or additional information and nothing more.
Be encouraging: How ever grim the situation may be, encouragement goes a long way to pull a learner out of it. Self confidence needs to be infused in the learner. Once talking to a trainer/teacher, the learner should feel light and motivated.
Advice Vs. Suggestions: Suggestions work better than advice. When a suggestion is given the learner feels that he/she is in charge and it is up to him/her to implement. This in turn makes the student feel confident and responsible.
Build trust: Most of all it is important to build trust and rapport with the learner. The student should feel that he/she is approaching a friend who has a little more experience and wisdom. In a relationship of trust, the learner feels and realizes that the advice being given is for his/her educational betterment.
In case, the need is felt to refer a learner for professional help and support, the teacher should not hesitate to do so. Without professional training, we may not have the talent and the resources to deal with every kind of situation. Additional information regarding the counselor role can be read at http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~jde7/ese425/eco/optional/counselor.html
