Camaraderie is much different than being friends or "buddies". As a teacher and as students, you have a common goal, being able to gain as much knowledge for the profession in which you are being trained for. As a professional, you must be able to separate yourself from the students. By being able to do this you maintain control over the learning environment and proper teacher/student relationship.
Getting too close to a student will often encourage that student to get you to bend the rules for them. This singles individuals out where not everyone is part of the club. You can show that you care and support them without excluding anyone from the club.
Maintaining a professional distance from students allows for respect of the instructor and their knowledge.
It gives the instructor more respect and makes the instructor-student relationship more formal.
the student will take the advantage of the instructor and the class can be managed in an apporpriate way
It is important because I don't want them to feel I'm giving more favor to those who are closer to me. They should be treated equally.
As professionals, we are there to teach. Some students will like you while others might not. We should continue to keep that professionalism and teach.
by staying professional you are setting a standard for the class room and how you expect your students to carry themselves. i believe in treating my students the way i would like to be treated.
Maintaining a professional demeanor is very important in managing a classroom. It establishes student / instructor rolls and leaves no room for crossing boundaries. It also gives the student a role model to imitate in the business world.
Just think about a person you see on the street... They have baggy pants...hat turned to one side.. what is the first thing that pops into your mind? The instructor needs to set the example for the student. You MUST maintain a professional image at all times.
Hi John,
Great points made! Preparation is key, and professionalism is a must!
Patricia Scales
It’s a sad fact that malicious allegations are becoming very much a part and parcel of school life, and you can never quite be sure who will be the target. When it comes to maintaining a professional distance the problem is rarely what actually happens, but more about the impression that students (and sometimes staff) get when you let that professional distance slip. It's best to conduct yourself in a way leaving no-one in any doubt whatsoever. That can be challenging these days in the era of social networking, where it’s easy for pupils to find you. So if you do publish personal information online lock down your tweets and Facebook profile, or make it so that you can’t be identified, and block students that try to follow or friend you.
One of my pleasures in life is being the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop. Many of these same priniciples apply.
Uniforming - When in uniform or professional attire it sets a standard or expectation for appearance and behavior.
Preparation - When you are prepared for a class with a lesson plan, materials, etc. it shouws students you not only care about them as future stakeholders in the profession and also the betterment of the profession.
Knowledge of the students and their names shows that that you recognize them as individuals and also identify them as a class.
Utilizing these elements instructors/ leaders set the work ethic environment of the students and class.
Hi Lewis,
We have to be role models for our students by exemplifying professionalism.
Patricia Scales
keeping a professional image is importasnt for many reasons. i want to exist as an example to show students how to deal with negative situatuions positvely and qwith a proffesional attitude.
I found that when I was a younger instructor that it was more difficult to maintain a professional image. This was partly caused by my own immaturity
and partly caused by the fact that my students were my same age and they seemed more like friends. I have learned through experience however that no matter what one's age it is necessary to maintain one's professionalism.
Kathy
Hi Sophia,
If you act unprofessional students will treat you like an unprofessional.
Patricia Scales
Hi Donna,
Absolutely! You can not go wrong with having ONLY a professional relationship with students.
Patricia Scales
So that the Students will take you seriousely.
I agree, as an instructor we should always keep those professional boundaries and only have a professional relationship with the students
