Keeping it Real
I tell my students (because the classes I teach are the intro to the school type of classes) that I and the rest f the staff will not be Facebook friends with them until they graduate. We will also not go out drinking with them. We are professionals in a professional setting to learn a trade to get a job, and the learning environment must be as close to the work environment so they will know what to expect when they graduate.
Hi Nichole,
Let them know that you are going to delete them until they graduate, and you will add them back once they are done with school. Explain to them why you are doing so.
Patricia Scales
What do do if you were already friends with a student (and on Facebook) and now you are their teacher?
I respect the students and insist that they respect each other. I instruct them, not as an infallible expert, but as an accomplished life-long learner, with a solid base of knowledge to share with them. I challenge them to learn according to their capabilities and praise them for so doing. I hold them accountable when they fall short and reward them when they do their best. I offer to be there for them for as long as they need me. In taking this realistic approach, I earn their respect!
We strive to maintain professional distance. I insist the students call their instructors by their title, Ms, Mr, Mrs. or Dr. This helps elevate the standing of the instructorsand creates a polite working relationship.
