Seeing students in public
I work and teach in the music industry. I usually go out a lot to different shows and clubs to meet with people I am either working with or may be working with. I use to run into students frequently and it always seemed awkward and I could not be myself in front of clients. Any advise for when seeing students in a public setting?
I agree with some of the posts. You can acknowledge, but do not interact in an unprofessional manner. You still have to maintain that professional role.
I agree you should not be someone in the clasroom and a completely different person in public. Your students need to see you as everyone in your profession would.
I will handle it by saying a quick hello and moving on to my own activities or business.
Hi Anne,
Simple, important and professional. This is how you should guide your life as an educator.
Gary
The professional rule still comes into play here. Act in public as you would in the classroom.
Hi Stephen,
This is always a source of discussion among instructors. What I have found that works best is take the lead when I encounter a student and introduce my guest/client and give a bit of an explanation for why I am there. (The explanation is based upon how much time I have and information I want to share.) Once the explanation has been given I close the chat and tell the students that it has been a pleasure to see them and that I need to get back to business or go see someone. This way I have greeted, chatted and dismissed the student and by being in charge of the chat I am control of how long it will last and it isn't awkward for the student.
Gary
