Very hard not to be able to have students be unapproachable to the instructor
Exactly. A professional image to generate respect is a key to running a successful class. The students need to see the instructor as a credible role model.
Professionalism is respect. Its show respect to your students and your image as an instructor.
Over the past six years I have seen instructor's cross this line. Personally I will not go anywhere with students off campus. I have been asked to even meet up with students after they have graduated and I just do not do it. The instructor's who have created problems for themselves, because the student feels they have more power and authority in the classroom. This empowers the student into believing that they have the upper hand and can cause the student to misinterpret the relationship of student-instructor.
Now I have run into a student while I am out shopping and or doing whatever activity in my personal life. I then exchange pleasantries with the students if applicable I meet their families and significant other in their lives. That is where I leave it "hello, nice to see you" “I will see you in class next week". It is a very bad idea to get involved socially with a student.
As instructors we are setting the bar and being watched to see that we "practice what we preach". We are educating students to act/dress/conduct themselves in a professional manner, we must lead by example. It is also a common ingredient in classroom cooperation, if I look the part and act the part then I should resonate as someone who can teach the part.
In doing so, an instructor achieves an element of respect, just by the nature of modeling behavior the students expect. They expect an instructor to teach them what they need to be successful in the field they are studying to enter, and to provide a role model of behavior for them to emmulate.
Maintaining a professional image instills respect from your students, as an instructor and they as a student of your class. Professionalism is a must and is required by many employers particularly of big corporations and institutions. Professional image is not merely physical attributes encompasses how you handle yourself in public, specifically in the medical arena; reacting versus responding. In an emergency situation, a professional demeanor promotes calmness and confidence in comparison to panic and confusion, which both can spread quickly at a given situation. As the saying goes, "You must walk he 'walk' and talk the 'talk'," as a professional should be the model for your students.
A professional image can still be represented in an informal environment, students feel more at ease to make known thier questions and it is easy to build a rapport.
It is very important to maintain a profession image in and out of the classroom. Many times I have run into a student at a restaurant or mall and think - what will my student's think of my actions. Studnets look up to instructors and we need to rememeber that.
The instructor needs to display a professional image to the students. When being a friend you reveal information about yourself that may bring about an image that is less than professional. Everyone has problems and issues that they deal with in their personal life. If those problems and issues are kept personal, you can keep only the professional image in front of the students.
I feel that you must maintain a professional image with students and you can be positive,encouraging and also friendly while still keeping the image of instructor.
They have more respect for your authority.
A professional image also depends on "who" is doing the defining. The traditional image is of a professor in coat/tie or similar dress for a woman. Today, mostly anything goes, i.e. jeans, flip-flops, etc. Standards seem to be slipping away from education.
It is important to maintain a professional distance from a student, because you want a student to respect you. You do not want a student to think of you as a friend.
Hi Jane,
Professional image is no doubt very important. Students need role models so that they will know about professionalism whenever they enter the professional world.
Patricia
I agree. Also, it is important to have a friendly professional image. Smile. Be happy. Nobody really wants to learn from a grouch.
In case the student has BO
Hi Cemal,
How do you feel being friends with students is conducive to the classroom environment?
Patricia
I feel this is one of the most important aspects of teaching. It not only shows the students how to be professional, but they realize that expect nothing less from me and in turn will be expected the same in their job.
Hi Cheryl,
Distance is everything whenever it comes to a student/teacher relationship. Each person should stay in their role. A line has to be established, and students should not be allowed to cross it.
Patricia
