My Advocacy
I know the diverse group of students I am privileged to teach, guide, and mentor. Not every student knows how to speak up for themselves, and in some countries, students follow whatever the teacher says because that is how they were taught in their homeland. Advocating for students is a big part of my advising role. Students come to me with challenges and issues, and looking for solutions, I ensure a safe space for students to share their situation and provide solutions to help them stay on track with the program or find other suitable options based on their situation and needs. I believe no matter the situation; we can all find ways forward.
In the remediation course that I teach, I invite students to have coffee or tea to discuss their clinical experience and to share why or how they were unsuccessful and what plans they have to be successful moving forward. I also encourage the students to book open labs and continue practicing their skills. On lab day for the remediation course, I allow students to pick the skills they need me to guide them on or review with them. They usually leave feeling more confident and with a smile on their faces.
