All students will respect you if you do the professional image...its just like grade school they will feel as if you have a teachers pet if you don't.
Hi Kathy,
For students to see us on a different level we must exemplify the differentiation!
Patricia Scales
Hi Barbara,
It is just fine to be friendly with your students, but you do not want to run the risk of being your students friend.
Patricia Scales
Hi Donna,
You have it! It is way too risky to develop personal relationships with students...your job should me more to your than that relationship. Trying being their role model, it works better than being their friend.
Patricia Scales
Hi David,
That's right! We are not there to be our students' friend. We are there to educate and lead by example by being professionals, so that we help shape positive lives in the work place and society!
Patricia Scales
Hi Linda,
Never a good thing when favoritism is shown! Treat everyone the same!
Patricia Scales
Hi Larry,
It is way too risky when the instructor begins to do special favors for students. Be fair to all!
Patricia Scales
Hi Andric,
That's right! Sudents have to know who is in control!
Patricia Scales
Hi Eleana,
I concur! Our students need role models in their lives!
Patricia Scales
Hi Ziaul,
A professional attitude is expected from instructors at all times, and students are to be dealt with when they do not display professionalism.
Patricia Scales
Hi Robert,
That's right! When you are professional with your students, they are not going to ask for special favors because they know you are fair and all about business.
Patricia Scales
Hi Ralph,
I agree! The instructor/student relationship should be strictly professional!
Patricia Scales
Hi Melissa,
I concur! Students frown upon favoritism. It is easy, treal ALL students the SAME!
Patricia Scales
Hi Sarah,
I can tell based on your response that you emulate professional behavior to your students! You certainly lead by example, and I know your students look up to you.
Patricia Scales
Becoming friends with your students changes your relationship. This student will feel too comfortable with you and treat you like their friend during class, not as your instructor. This also puts other students in an uncomfortable position. They shouldn't should feel obligated to be an instructor's friend to pass the course.
A professional relationship within the classroom helps set boundaries and introduces students to the chain of command, which will be present in the workplace. Older learners will be familiar with the chain of command, in most cases, but younger students may not see themselves as being on a lesser level of authority than those above them. Recent research I have read described how today's students do not view themselves as being on a different plane than, say, the CEO of the company, for example. An inability to differentiate levels of professional attainment impedes problem solving in the workplace.
Kathy
Maintaining a professional distance from students is an important part of class management in that it sets the pace for the class and becomes an example of professionalism for the students. At the beginning of a new course or term or having a new cohort, I tell my students that while I can be friendly with them, I cannot be their friend. Instead, I will be their guide and a source of support as they proceed on the path of learning to develop and hone the skill that will be necessary for them to be successful in the career field.
As an instructor maintaining a professional distance from students is a necessity in class management. Other students in the class may feel as if the instructor is favoring a student if they form a personal relationship with them. Not only that, but there should be a instructor/student line drawn that does not get crossed, so that every student understands that the instructor is in charge of the classroom and will not get personally involved in their outside situations. Also, an instructor puts themselves at risk of losing their job if they form personal relationships with students.
Once this happens, other students see you as playing favoritism.
so they will not think they should get special favers
