The fact of the matter is I personally do not have much in common with my students. It is not my intention to be their buddy. I am very self conscious about trying to portray a professional image at all times. This prevents misconceptions of favortism and I feel as though it keeps my students aware of what I expect from them at all times.
Hi Susan,
Absolutely! The instructor's role is definitely different than that of the student's. We must display professionalism at all times.
Patricia
Hi Lonnie,
You can be caring as well, but at the same time, you must display behavior to let them know that you are still the instructor.
Patricia
Hi Monique,
I too feel it is very unprofessional to be friends with your students. You are their to teach/guide them not to befriend them.
Patricia
Hi Eon,
I agree with you that teachers are role models for students. They look at us and get the impression that what the teacher does is the standard. We have to be conscious of our professional image because some of our students will follow our examples and copy the way we speak and dress.
We must maintain a professional image because we are role models for these students. We are setting a standard for them to achieve. If dressed sloppy or tardy for class they will think is ok to go through life dressing sloppy and being late is ok.
In a creative field students are wary of the instructors that look too business like so I try to keep my look casual, which is the norm in the design field, but like you I have certain classes where I require professional dress for example when we are having portfolio reviews or mock client presentations. It's important for the students to see their instructor dressed up on those occasions as well so I'll show up to class in professional attire and explain to the students that most days in this field you'll wear jeans but some days, especially when meeting clients, you will be required to present yourself as professional as possible.
A professional image is very important. The student has to believe that the teacher is proficient in the area that the teacher is teaching. The teacher also has to convey the right set of values to the student to help the student develop into a proper positive citizen of his or her community.
Hi Maria,
Absolutely! Respect is earned based on professionalism.
Patricai
Hi Bernabe,
We must conduct ourselves professionally. Students give you respect based on your professionalism.
Patricia
Hi Nikki,
We must know that we have to lead by example. Our students look up to us to display and teach them professional behavior.
Patricia
very important because we are the first examples of student view of professionlism. i try to create this from day one,not to be to uptight,but for the student to see how you can get the job done and still be professional at the same time. this can be harder for some age groups to grasp,but upon graduation they are able to look back at there development and see how they have become more professional by my first example.
maintaining a profesional image infront the class enables the professor to conduct him/herself in a respectable way. This shows the students that the professor is in charge and gives them a sense of security in knowing that their instructor knows what they are talking about and will most likely pay better attention to them as soon as class starts.
I have seen first hand with other faculty members what happens when the instructor and student become "buddies" It affects the entire class. Other students quickly loose any respect for an instructor who chooses to be a buddy to a particular student. I do, however, offer my services (massage) out of the classroom since I encourage getting massages from different therapists to experience different techniques. The service is offered to ALL students though, not just a chosen few. Keeping all students in your class on the same even path with you is a challange. Some like you, some don't. The instructor may not "like" some of their students either. It goes both ways. Never let students see you favoring one or the other and visa versa. Keeping a professional demenor is important with all students in the class. Things go much smoother this way.
Instructor have to maintain a proffesional conduct, so the student will respect them.
Hi Roger,
Great response! You are right on target! We are not in education to win a popularity contest. Teach the students and do not worry about befriending them.
Patricia
An instructor has to have the respect of each student. If a instructor becomes too friendly with his students they will look at the instructor as more of a friend than a instructor. They will no longer feel the urgency to do assignments and to adequately prepare for the next class.
Hi Roger,
An instructor's credibility is everything. Students look up to us in more ways than one, such as talking, dressing, gesturing, etc.
Patricia
Hi Pat,
As the instructor, you must make it known that you are their leader not their friend. Problems begin to come about once students regard you as their friend.
Patricia
Hi Nikki,
Students do maintain respect as long as you do not let them cross the line, once the line is crossed the respect diminishes.
Patricia
