Literacy Activities Handbook - Saskatchewan Association of Rehabilitation Centres

On Participation: “We do not force students to participate in this program against their will. We encourage regular attendance at the stations’ activities, but if on a certain day a student simply won’t work, we allow that. We try to find out why he doesn’t want to participate, then counsel and reassure him, but we don’t force participation in the academic program. The students here are like the rest of us – there may be a problem at home occasionally, or sometimes they just don’t feel good. But these people are generally willing to apply themselves and bounce back readily if they have had a day off.”
On Positive Changes: “The changes in our students are not confined to the intellectual sphere. These people have developed increased self-esteem: they are sociable, cooperative and purposeful.”
On Challenge: “They should allow an open time frame for accomplishment, challenging students but not pushing them too far too fast.”
On Roles: “Any literacy instructor needs to be compassionate and understanding, realizing that there are days when he will be called upon to be parent, playmate or friend as well as teacher.”
On Cooperation: “An instructor must remember at all times that he is part of a larger organization; he should work closely with activity center staff, for example, if that is where his program is being carried out.”
On Equality: “It is imperative that the instructor remembers that he is dealing with adults, not children. He should never “talk down” to the students, but consider them peers. They are peers – often they will be the same age or older than the instructor.”
On Respect: “I guess the word I’d sum things up with is respect – respect for your students and the work you are carrying out together.”