Hi Christopher,
A line has to be drawn. The student/teacher relationship should be strictly professional in nature to avoid problems.
Patricia
Hi Lisa,
I agree 100%! Students need role models. They are not in search of another friend. Lead by example.
Patricia
Maintaining a professional distance from students is an important part of class management because we are not there to make social relationships. We are there to provide them with a learning opportunity. The appropriate line must be drawn so learning can occur.
If the students get to comfortable with the instructor they will tend to lose the respect of the instructor and it can lead to disruption in the class. I see treating the students as I do my patients keeps the class in check.
I don't think an instructor should ever let it be openly known whom he or she likes and doesn't like. Personal feelings don't enter into managing a classroom well--it's so much easier to simply treat all students equally by being pleasant, polite, and professional to everyone. It's also a good model for students after they finish school and enter the professional world--we all sometimes have to work with people whom we don't like, but it doesn't mean we can't work together for a common professional goal we share. If an instructor consistently conducts him or herself this way, students are much more comfortable knowing they don't have to worry about whether or not a teacher "likes" them if they know all students will be treated the same, fairly and consistently.
Hi Michelle,
You appear to do a fine job preparing your students for the workplace. I can tell you lead by example, and you are the professional that you want your students to become.
Patricia
It always important to practice what you teach and by maintaining a professional image in the classroom not only will convey the message to the students but also will help them gain respect for the instructor.
I am instructor in medical field.
And tomorrow when my students are going to graduate from school, going to their externship to the hospital they will meet first the supervisor or management of the laboratory from the first look and word the hospital administration will value them as a students from the school almosy graduating and from the other hand they must be as much prefessional as we can teach them in the schol so every day looking at them as instructors we have to show them how is important to behave in the profesional way (our customers -are patients!!)from the first day!
Thank you.
Every day I wake up in the morning and pick my attire so my students can see that no matter if I look younger that half of them, that doesn't mean that I cannot dress the part. I never use blasphemy in my classroom and I discourage it if I hear it.
Now with time I have learn to make sure that if they want to go into the field they have to show respect for their supervisors and that they have obligations they need to follow.
I push greatly on the issue of separating their lives from work. Thet the way they behave out of work should never be brought in to the workplace, and for this, they need to star growing up.
I praise when they have become one step closer to been more responsible and been on time to class and with work. I remind them that this is necessary for the work setting.
Hi Nancy,
I firmly believe that the instructor should be at a level higher than that of the students. If students are allowed to wear slacks and a dress top, then the instructor should go a level higher and wear a suit. We have to be role models for our students.
Patricia
Hi Beth,
Students need a role model to look up to. Students are really not looking for another friend.
Patricia
I think that is very important to maintain a preofessional image because it is more condusive to the learning envirnomment. "Friends" are more forgiving and thus a student may not feel the need to be as motivated to be as succesful as they are able.
Because a best friend does not a teacher make enough said.
I love this CPR connection the first time I hsve heard it I hope it's ok if I use. The scool where I teach places high standards on apperiance, from head to toe and also points out as instructors we are supervisours and manangers who might grade them down based on attitude and apperance. As a result we have good compliance with both dress codes and attitudes...
Hi Jackie,
I concur! Professionalism must be demonstrated by the instructor at all times. The student/teacher relationship should be kept at a professional level.
Patricia
It is very important to maintain a professional distance from your students. If students see you more as a "buddy" or "friend" you may lose some respect that you have gained from them. Once a student sees you in a different light they may feel that you may do special favors for them if requested. It may also make other students think you are doing special favors even when you aren't.
Hi James,
The student/teacher relationship should remain professional at all times. Students are not looking for another buddy, they are looking for an educator to educate them.
Patricia
Teaching is about passing knowledge. Some people are concerned about how they appear to others. This can lead to being the students "buddy". This can cause issues when the student fails to complete a required task and must be disciplined.
I would advocate professional appearance and comportment not only on the respect issue but also as a lead by example object lesson.
Hi Ephraim,
Students form opinions about us very quickly. We should be professional at all times so that our students look up to us as professionals.
Patricia
