Hi Matthew,
You're right! You can not sleep on professionalism because you never know.
Patricia
Hi Terrell,
A line has to be drawn, and the students should not be allowed to cross the line. I am extremely approachable, but there is a line that can not be crossed.
Patricia
Hi Suzanne,
I have known some instructors that have lost their job because of befriending students. It should be a professional relationship between the two not a personal one.
Patricia
Hi Yolanda,
Absolutely! There is a big difference between being friendly and being friends.
Patricia
Hi Erik,
What an awesome response! Practice what you preach!
Patricia
I was charged long ago to lead by example (Boy Scouts).
If we as instructors don't act professionally, how can we expect our students to do so?
Isn't that the point of our profession, to prepare our students for the professional / work environment?
Do as I do, not do as I say.
Thanks,
Erik
Classroom managment = respect. If the professional distance it too close studnets began to gravitate or develop a friendship and not a mentorship characteristic. Instructors are to be friendly but not friends with the students.
You, as the instructor, are there to teach the students not become their friends. Becoming friendly wiht one or two students, can set up an environment of favoritism and jepordize your teaching career.
It is a very small world, and particularly in the vocational teaching world, you will intereact with former students, future students, and so on without even being aware. Professionalism can't take a nap!
Hi Alyson,
Profanity on an instructors part is definitely unprofessional! I can not believe an educator would even behave as such in front of their students. Continue being a professional Alyson; your students will respect you for this.
Patricia
Hi Tina,
We are definitely role models for our students. Some of our students have no one in their personal life to look up to.
Patricia
Hi Jennifer,
Super response! You've said it!
Patricia
Hi Ted,
It sure can! Keep the relationship strictly professional.
Patricia
Hi John,
Nicely stated! There are so many of our students that do not receive positive guidance at home. We must serve as great role models for our students.
Patricia
If you don't draw a line in the sand, the students will not know where to stop and address you as the authority in the class. They will also be more likely to show disrespect, sometimes in the form of slandering remarks, such as the ones they would use with their friends, or using your first name instead of Mr. and your last name. Allowing the studetns to show this kind of disrespect prevetns the rest of the class from respecting you.
While we can be caring and understanding toward our students, we must maintain high level of professionalism at all time and maintain the line of authority: This allow us to keep class control, give some students a role model that they may never have had, have legitimacy as a leader and educator and myriad other benefits.
If you get too close to you'r students it can undermine your authority.
It is our job as theur instructor to maintain professionalism. They look up to us and are not here to make friends.
It is inportant to maintain a professional image because we are role models for students.
There must be a line of seperation between students and instructors. Without being aloof, I try to limit personal conversations, and inform the class, I am available to discuss concerns or issues privately with the student. If I am unable to offer a solution, we can proceed to the next step within my institution. I want to be approachable-for the right reasons, but erroneous conversations waste valuble class time, and can be a distraction to other students.
