That is a good point. I agree with your statements. If you are percieved as being a student's friend, it also might cause others to think you are showing favoritism. My younger sister might enroll at the school, and I'd have to make sure she was never in my class. Since I can't "un-friend" her, I'd do what I could so it did not look like I was showing favoritism.
it creates an environment for them to adhere with professionalism and thereby the respect to the instructor's point of view with regards to stressing classroom policy and student will think twice to exhibit unprofessional behavior in class
Hi Teresita,
If students respect you. They will be cooperatiive, thus you will have better management of the class.
Patricia
Hi Kimberly,
Let's be the professional that we want our students to be in the workplace.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
The student/teacher relationship should be strictly professional in nature. Personal relationships are developed with friends, such as hanging out.
Patricia
Friends are people you spend weekends with, students are part of a professional relationship that would otherwise not exist. They are seperate for a reason.
Hi Debra,
I agree. Instructors should be thought of as a professional role models who help shape lives.
Patricia
Hi Jaquell,
Students frown whenever they have decided that the instructor is showing favoritism. Favoritism will create a lot of problems in the classroom.
Patricia
Students need a role model, as well. An instructor should act professional and of strong moral character. Students learn even this from class! Boundaries can be difficult, just because instructors care about the students and their potential.
Hi Thomas,
Professionalism does start when the students are in the classroom so that they know how to act professionally when they enter the real world.
Patricia
Hi Susan,
Students really are not interested in our personal issues. It is simple, they want to be taught the subject matter. We should be more professional than to share our personal problems with our students. Our students have enough problems of their own to worry about.
Patricia
Hi Nicole,
Professionalism is a must as an educator. Our students expect us to act professionally.
Patricia
You have to maintain a professional image!! The students, no matter what age, respect you more when you act professional.
I feel that professional distance is important because if you lead the student to believe you are friends then they will believe that when it comes to assignments you will treat then better then the other students.
This is important because students need to view you as a professional. If you always come in and talk about money problems, or child issues, students might lose respect for you as an instructor. They might feel you spend more time talking about your personal life than actually teaching them the course.
I also agree, as often is the case we must be that first example of profesionalism for our students. I cannot expect for my students to be "professional" during their clinical rotations, if they are not professional in both the lab or classroom.
Its maintaining a level of respect with all the students and instructor. The students can't say that you have favorites, best friends, or have the buddy system.
Students should not think of an instructor as a "friend". A instructor needs to remain professional or control of the class will be lost. Respect is a must.
Hi Deanna,
Once students lose respect for you, it is very hard to regain. Keep the roles of the student/instructor clear. Favoritism is definitely frowned upon.
Patricia
Hi James,
You are definitely on point! We as instructors must think about it, there is a distinct difference between being friendly verses being friends.
Patricia
