My experience is that student want to succeed in the class; they did not come to school to make friends with their instructor. Being friendly is important, but trying to be their friend is a mistake.
It is important to keep the line between instructor and student and not cross over to being their friend. If a line is crossed it isn't easily uncrossed. If you become their friend you no longer will have the respect as their instructor. Additionally, you don't ever want to be accused of giving advantage to your "favorites".
Maintaining a professional image adds credibility that will earn the respect of the students. This in turn will help in class management.
Hi Yaneidis,
The instructor has to be the leader in all areas so that students are imitating a strong professional.
Patricia
Hi Eleanor,
Respect is a must in education. We should lead in a way that will make our students want to respect us.
Patricia
Hi Susan,
Nicely stated! Our students should fully understand that we are in the business to educate them not befriend them.
Patricia
Hi Christine,
Students will run all over you, if you allow them to. Adults need rules and structure too.
Patricia
Hi Deborah,
Absolutely! Students need someone to look up to and emulate.
Patricia
Not respecting boundaries and maintaining professional distance will come back to bite you some way, some how. Students will lose respect for you as a professional and as a mentor. It also can create doubt about your skills and you run the risk of making biased decisions based on which students are your "buddies".
By maintaining a professional distance you are establising respect. You are also giving them and example of how to be a professional. If their is not that distance it will be hard to educate them. You can not be their friend and expect them to value your teaching.
you maintain their respect for you longer and establish a professional relationship with them.
Students are paying for the knowledge that you bring to the classroom. They need to know that you are a compentent professional in your field. Students do not need another friend; they need a role model.
Because if you do not set limits and rules the students will do whatever they want.
a level of professional respect should be maintained in the classroom. Students that become too familiar can overset their boundaries and disipline and class contral becomes much more difficult. The students want to be taught by an instructor that they respect. The do not want a friend
It is personally important for me as I am a young instructor and realize that I have to quickly establish a professional distance in order to garner respect that may be threatened due to perceptions of my professional expertise due to my age.
you want to make sure student respect your practice, and as an instructor
Mantaining a professional image help Instructor to be respected for the students, and the instructor must to preserve the Role Model image in front their students
Hi Larry,
That's right, students want to be taught by a professional. When you are regarded as a professional by the students, they really respect you.
Patricia
Hi Roger,
That's right! When you are the instructor all relationships should be professional in nature.
Patricia
Hi J.,
You are right, as a professional we should act the part in all areas.
Patricia
