Hi Gary,
You are absolutely correct? Appearance/image is vitally important. Do these students take professional development and customer service classes?
Patricia
Hi Kenneth,
Absolutely, if you feel you are knowledgeable/experienced enough by all means help.
Patricia
Partricia, I agree with you one hundred percent but here is my question about that response. What if you have that expertise from a prior job? Would it be acceptable to try and help a student with a certain problem?
Ken Weakland
You don't want to ruin the perception of professional respect the student has acquired of you.
It is very important in my field. In the HVAC industry you go to people's houses to repair thier equipment. If you do not maintain a professional image, they may not let you in. I make special time in class to discuss how appearance and the manner in which you address people affect your success.
As an instructor, you are their role model. It is important to mantain a professional image so they understand what is expected of them after graduation and when entering the workforce.
It is important to develop rapport with the students however it's purpose should not be mistaken with being liked or being a "friend." When i started teaching, I think that my major fear was that the student won't "like me." It was really hard to develop that "good relationship" at the same time maintain the professional, teacher and student relationship. Once you loose that professional relationship, you loose control of your class.
I have found that by limiting my contact with students to the class room or the hall ways and keeping the discussions focused more on the trade, sports or other non-personal subjects, and not myself, and by not socializing with a particular group of students, or a student, when we are on break, helps to show that I favor no one student or group of students.
I think it is important that your students feel that you are approachable. Usually when they do they feel you care about their success. So in a sense a personal connection may result in them working harder because they know you care about them.
It should be noted that caring for the student is related to their career success. So one's professional image is maintained by still holding the student accountable for their own success while being flexible and talking to them about removing impediments to their educational and career development.
Maintaining the respect that the students have for you is the key. If you do not remain professional, you put this at risk.
Sets a good example for your students
Many young students today come from dysfunctional backgrounds. Being a role model has more rewards some time then you ever thought. It can teach young people about self respect and independence as they go into the real world. It gives them the opportunity to see that they can be successful in life.
Students are learning from you so that they may one day be a professional too. Giving respect will turn around one day where they too, will expect the same respect. It's important from day one, minute one that you gain the students respect.
Students will respect you for who you are and not confusen you with their buddies. Maintaining a good instructor - student professionl relationship will make things much easier for all.
Maintaining a professional distance from students an important part of class managment because the students need to respect the instructor as their instructor, the lines shall never be crossed.
Teaching is a Profession, therefore in order to work within in a profession its important to adhere to the professions rules. Maintaining a professional image is part and parcel of belonging to a profession.
Caroline
we portray ourselves as role models we can not cross the line of being friends all respect will be lost in the future.
You should lead by example having a professional image shows you as a role model.
We as instructors need to demonstrate what professionalism looks like and how it should be effectively utilized in a work environment which includes the classroom. There is also a fine line in class as being too distant from the students so I believe that one needs to include with this professional image a level of sincerity and a demonstration of being genuine.
