Teaching Veteran Students

As educators, we often overlook a significant portion of our student body: active military personnel and veterans. However, with nearly 5% of college students falling into this category, it's essential to understand their unique needs and experiences. A closer look at the advice of retired Major General Matt Smith, now the Executive Director of Veteran Initiatives at Emory University, reveals the importance of connecting with these students and harnessing their potential.

Background & Context

The military and academic communities may seem worlds apart, but they share a common thread – a strong sense of purpose and dedication. According to Smith, educators and military personnel share a deep understanding of the importance of discipline, teamwork, and sacrifice. This shared foundation provides a solid starting point for building relationships with military students and creating a more inclusive classroom environment.

With the National Center for Education Statistics reporting that roughly half of active military or veteran college students are veterans, and the other half are active-duty members of the military or the National Guard and Reserve, it's clear that these students bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the table. By understanding and embracing these differences, educators can unlock the full potential of their military students and create a more diverse and engaging learning environment.

Key Details

Smith emphasizes the importance of recognizing the similarities between educators and military personnel. "While the values that may have mattered at the time they made the decision to go into either profession may have been slightly different, they're really more alike than you'd find across other sectors of our society," he says. By acknowledging these shared values, educators can establish a foundation for effective communication and build trust with their military students.

One key strategy for connecting with military students is to learn about their experiences and backgrounds. Smith suggests asking simple, open-ended questions during office hours or private meetings to encourage students to share their stories. "Everybody likes to talk about themselves," he says, adding that these conversations can be "pretty entertaining and really insightful" into the student's perspective.

Another critical aspect of teaching military students is recognizing their expertise in teamwork and collaboration. As Smith notes, military personnel are often trained to work effectively in high-pressure teams, which can be a valuable asset in academic settings. By harnessing these skills, educators can create more effective and engaging team projects that benefit all students.

What Experts Say

According to Smith, the key to unlocking the potential of military students lies in recognizing their unique strengths and experiences. By understanding the parallels between academic and military professions, educators can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. "While the focus of our discussion is on military students, many of these techniques and strategies apply to students from all different backgrounds," he emphasizes.

Key Takeaways

• Establishing a connection with military students is crucial for effective communication and building trust.
• Recognizing the similarities between educators and military personnel can provide a solid foundation for building relationships.
• Military students bring a unique set of skills and experiences to the table, including expertise in teamwork and collaboration.
• By learning about military students' backgrounds and experiences, educators can create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment.

What This Means For You

For educators, understanding and embracing the unique needs of military students can have a significant impact on the learning environment. By recognizing the shared values and strengths between educators and military personnel, educators can create a more inclusive and supportive space for all students. This, in turn, can lead to improved academic outcomes, increased student engagement, and a more diverse and dynamic learning environment.

So, what can you do to support military students in your classroom? Start by getting to know them, recognizing their unique strengths and experiences, and harnessing their potential. By doing so, you can create a more effective and engaging learning environment that benefits all students.