trying to be a buddy to a student
this can get a new instructor in deep trouble because that is not the reason you are there even though you may want to make the student more at ease about you as an instructor.Keep it professional
I try to be there for my students. I show respect to my students. I make it a point to remember their names. I dress professional and make sure I am prepared for their classes with me. I even arrive early before the class starts. I am not there to be a friend but to prepared them in everyway to be successful in their field of study.Yet I except respect in return. I have seen to many teachers get burn trying to be a buddy.
Hi Regina,
That's right! As an instructor you have to know where the cut off point is with students. It is easy to fall into the personal trap with students. Always be cautious of a personal affair with students.
Patricia
I absolutely agree due to the fact that once a student feels like you're their "friend" the situation can take a bad turn. It may not be something that the instructor intended to happen so it's best to show that you're concerned and you care but leave it at that.
Hi Angela,
I totally agree! Way to many problems generate whenever you are regarded as being your students buddy. Keep things simple and keep the relationship strictly professional.
Patricia
When doing this it will not help you or the student. It cause problems with the other students and they start to lose respect for you as well as feel like the instructor is not giving them a fare chance. If the student that the instructor befriended gets upset at them about something they had to be corrected on then this will cause big problems because everything that the student and instructor had been talking about that they really should not have been, will be all over the school. This is not professional
Hi Fran,
I totally agree! Outside of school, instructors should definitely not socialize with students. Socializing oustide of school says we are friends. Keep the relationship strictly professional.
Patricia
We're instructors to teach our field not be a friend we can be concerned with them and care but not socialize on the weekends we are to remain professional
Hi Justin,
I concur! Never let students see that you prefer one student over another. Treating everyone the same is the best/safest approach.
Patricia
With the cliques that eventually form between different groups of students, you must remain fair across the board when it comes to students.
No student in any class will appreciate percieved preferential treatment to any student or group of students.
There will be students you enjoy having in class and others you wish weren't there, but objectivity is key. Treat them all the same and FAIRLY.
Hi Lori,
Absolutely, they do not need another buddy. They need a professional that will guide them so that they are successful in the work world.
Patricia
You can show students that you care but do not need to be their buddy. Most students will understand this. I learned this lesson the hard way years ago with my staff and definitely have carried into the classroom with me. We are here to educate not make friends first.
Hi Sherri,
Absolutely! Students did not enroll in college looking for a friend. They enrolled to be educated so that they can find a job so that in order to begin their career.
Patricia
Hi Glenda,
Great analogy! Afterall students are our children. They need as much guidance as possible and someone to look up to as their role model.
Patricia
Keeping everything professional is such good advice. I try to think of the students like most parents think of their children----I am here to guide and help them, so they can make it on their own. Childen need "parents", not buddies and likewise, students need "teachers", not buddies.
students are not our friends. We are here to help them learn a new career
Hi Patricia,
That's right! You can't go wrong keeping things on a professional level.
Patricia
