Happy 2023 to our CWS partners, supervisors, and friends! My name is Lucy Rothstein, and I have the good fortune to work with students who are placed at Cristo Rey Jesuit for their work experience.
Having spent 16 years teaching and learning with teenage students, I have long ruminated on the effectiveness of my written feedback to them and now to my student workers. Indeed, I think I’ve settled on strong strategies for my feedback, and I am happy to share them here.
I write directly to the student and use his or her name within the text. As well, I “sign” my feedback with a thank you and my name. Within the CWSP environment, this practice reinforces the value of feedback, because the student sees it as communication between two people rather than a communication between supervisor and CWSP staff.
I do not use a “sandwich” of feedback--a grow or negative comment sandwiched between two positive or glow comments. While it is a common structure in education, it feels too contrived to me. If a student exceeded expectations, I say just that; if not, I begin with a statement that shows my appreciation for the opportunity to work with and spend time with the student, and then I move directly to my grow comments.
I make specific connections between the hard or soft skill on which the student has received negative feedback to the value of that skill to outcomes for the business or department or a broader business goal. Students must see the point of their work--especially mundane and/or repetitive tasks.
Finally, I refer to my feedback in subsequent exchanges with a student. I might casually ask, “John, did you read my feedback on your work last week?” and then give him time to do so, or I might refer to specific details of the feedback within the context of instructions or modeling for a new task or new work day. Weave in short reminders of feedback whenever possible!
EXAMPLE:
It was so good to work with you again, Sarah, after our long break. I am concerned, however, with your productivity. Remember, a business expects employees to produce a quality product within a realistic time frame. Remember, too, the CRJ advancement department is in the business of securing support for our school, and it expects us to produce envelopes that are stuffed, labeled, and stamped neatly and accurately. Today, not only did you fall short of the 90 envelope expectation, but several envelopes were messy and labeled incorrectly--imagine the impression those would leave on the recipients. I certainly believe you are capable of working more diligently and with much attention to detail. However, Sarah, only you can make the commitment to doing so. Thanks. Ms. Rothstein
I encourage you to consider my ideas as you reset and begin again the timecard-feedback cycle in 2023. No pressure, just suggestions!
Thanks. Have a terrific second semester with our terrific student workers.
Lucy Rothstein
