Hi KAI,
Great differentation. As school personnel, we should let our students know that we truly care about them through our actions and kind words. Sometimes we have to be tough with our students, but we still can let them know that we truly care.
Patricia Scales
Hi Katherine,
I concur! We do not need to share our personal stories that do not apply to the lesson with students. Students enjoy hearing stories, but they need to be applicable to the lesson.
Patricia Scales
Friends are more forgiving and make allowances for our shortfalls. A mentor is more caring in that they don't make allowances for our shortfalls but rather give us encouragement and the tools to reduce or eliminate such things.
Hi Tony,
I agree! Students do not need another buddy, they need a role model.
Patricia Scales
Hi Bruce,
I agree! Students will respect you based on the way you carry yourself. Instructors should act as their students role model in every sense.
Patricia Scales
Maintaining appropriate distance also helps them to maintain focus on the class subject matter. I am always checking in with myself about if I am thinking to share a personal experience because it is an example of something they may confront in their careers or if it falls under 'chatting/making friends' by sharing something that is just relating to my personal life.
Sharing stories that are related to the current topic can be helpful and educational. While sharing personal stories that have no particular relationship to the material are a distraction and a bit of a let down, when they realize they've invested their time and energy in listening/being attentive to something that has no bearing on their program of study.
That sort of disappointment starts to eat away their respect for the instructor & their willingness to be attentive and participate- when the instructor might wander off into nonsense.
Kathy
If they see you as there buddy it will be alot harder to try and correct issues they may be having.
It is important to have them see me as their Professor, however it is also important that they feel they can talk to me about different situations. Being a good listener goes a long way. Sometimes students just need someone to listen them.
Maintaining a professional image is very impotant because as a teacher we have to respect ourselves and profession. We are in classroom to teach, guide and lead and not to be the student friends, when we mix friendship with our students the student will not respect us as a teachers.
I learned this the hard way. I was a new instructor and not much older than many of my students. Many of the girls would flirt with me and I ignored it rather than addressing it. Eventually a jealous boyfriend approached me saying all his girlfriend talks about is my class and he hates it.
I had never taken steps to stop it because I figured it would go away. Now I make that initial address. People need to see that though I am in my early 30's I am their professor and not their friend.
I feel maintaining a professional distance from students is an important part of classroom management because it shows students you are there to help them achieve their career goal not just be their to listen to drama and excuses. Keeping a distance will help maintain a level of respect from students, as an instructor you do not want to share personal problems that students can hold against you at a later time.
Hi Barbara,
I agree! The instructor should never let the student make them lose their composure.
Patricia Scales
Hi Gary,
Students frown upon favoritism. Treat all students the same. The student/instructor relationship should be strictly professional.
Patricia Scales
This is important because then there are strict guidelines that are apparent to your classroom. Your students need to know that one person is in charge, and that person is you!
Megan
Very true! The slightest amount of unprofessional attire, such as jeans and a T-shirt, will show to your students that you are just one of them and not the personal in control. First impressions really are lasting.
Megan
Yes, this is very true and intimidating at times. Once you give students the inkling that you are not in control or professional, they lose interest and repect in you fast.
Megan
Students look to the instructor for guidance and they trust the instructor. When they have reached this point, they are learning all behaviors of the instructor.
It is the instructors responsibility to always maintain a professional image no matter how a situation is prevailing. Students generally respond to how the instructor control himself/herself. If the instructor keeps a professional image and attitude then the students will maintain some order.
Maintaining professional distance allows both the student and instructor to know there is boundaries. An Instructor can influence the student without becomming buddies. Is it okay to carry on casual conversation, yes this allows the student to know that you care, but keep it at school. The distance also lets the other students you are not playing favorites.
Hi Melissa,
I concur! Students need role models, they have enough buddies. We need to lead by example!
Patricia Scales
