Monique Gilbert is a student supervisor. She likes all of the aspects of a support relationship. “I’m responsible for sowing the seeds, but not for the outcome,” she says about the advice she gives students who attempt to break the rules.
Cultivating awareness
A quality relationship with students is essential to obtain their cooperation. “During discussions, we try to cultivate awareness of the impact of their actions and words.”
“I encourage them to think. Sometimes we have several philosophical discussions. They’re a work in progress. They question themselves. They need to form their own opinions. It’s what I’m passionate about!”
Managing absences
One of the lesser known duties of student supervisors is the administrative work of updating student files, which takes up a significant portion of their days.
“I follow up when students are absent without justification. I need to know the reason they aren’t in school. On the last shool day, in December, I received 500 calls. I usually get 100 calls a day, more or less, plus the 60 to 70 emails I send and receive every day.”
Even though telephone communications are decreasing, they remain an important link. “The contact with the parents allows me to better understand students going through their parents’ separation or other difficult times. It gives me the opportunity to tell the parents about the services available at school for their child.”
Where the action is
When she walks the hallways during breaks, Monique Gilbert is in the thick of the action, keenly aware of everything that’s going on.
“We need to listen to our young people and remain as fair as possible, while also remaining calm during every one of our interventions. We need an iron fist in a velvet glove,” she concludes philosophically.
