Hi Hossai,
You are right! A line has to be drawn so that they know they are the students, and you are the instructor so that level of respect is given.
Patricia Scales
Hi Francine,
You have it! Students do not need another friend, they need a professional role model that they can look up to.
Patricia Scales
In doing so they respect you as an instructor and not a buddie.
It keeps the roles understood. By maintaining a professional distance from my students the lines don't get blurry... and don't get crossed.
Hi Leticia,
I love your perspective! I let my friends know as well, I will befriend you once you graduate. I tell them presently, I am the instructor, and you are the student.
Patricia Scales
Hi Donald,
Students look up to us in more ways than one. Appearance says a lot about one's professionalism.
Patricia Scales
The student is not looking for a friend they are in the class to learn from a professional!
Hi Nazi,
That right! Continue to be the example for your students! Our students need as many role models as possible.
Patricia Scales
Hi Omesa,
Students should remain professional at all times when students are present.
Patricia Scales
Hi Doris,
I have seen this happen. The relationship between students and instructors should be one that is professional in nature.
Patricia Scales
Hi April,
I concur! The instructor should be addressed by Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss and last name so that students know that there is a distinct difference. It is a sense of respect whenever students address instructors by their last name.
Patricia Scales
Hi Erica,
I agree! It is way too risky when an instructor befriends students. The student/instructor relationship should be all about business.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jeff,
I concur! The distance must be maintained between student and instructor. The student/instructor relationship should be strictly about business! It is way too risky to become personal with students.
Patricia Scales
Its important to maintain a professional image because once they leave my class I want my students to view the future doctor they work as instructor that they will learn from also. I have fun moments with my students but I want them to see me as someone who is going to teach them the skills they need to get ahead in life and not as a friend. I tell my students that ask, if they still really like me as a person once they graduate the program then they can look me up on facebook/twitter and request to be friends. Until then we have a student/instructor relationship.
I believe by maintaining a professional image is important to the student. The professional image protrays an image of success, and a person who is managing life successfully. It also projects an image students should strive for, organized positive image.
I always keep my professional appearance by coming to class with clean uniform and my hair nice and neat. I am the example for the students.
Maintaining professional is gaining respect from your students versusuc to to be their friend .the respect level will change to just a like .
If an instructor does not maintain a professional distance from students it creates a too relaxed atmosphere, which allow the student to think the instructor is their personal friend; and it's simply not professional.
The instructor is the authority figure. Keeping a distance allows the instructor be objective and exercise control of the classroom which creates a safe environment for the student. A simple trick is to be sure that the students do not address you by your first name. This implies an informality in the relationship.
There is a line that an instructor should not cross. Instructors can be friendly, but should not be friends with students. It makes it too difficult to maintain the professional boundary with students that is needed to maintain class management.
