Hi Tammy,
There are a lot of things that are common with teaching and parenting. You made a great point!
Patricia
An instructor needs to maintain a professional distance to remain objective and help students succeed in their careers.
It's just like being a parent. Your children do not need another friend - they need a parent. Your students do not need another buddy they need an instructor. Respect is crucial.
Because as an instructor we must lead by example. If we we loose the professional distance students tend to get too comfortable and feel they are getting mixed messages from their insturcotor.
Hi Elsie,
Absolutely! We should be held to very high standards as an educator. We are a lot of these students role models. Students look up to us in many different ways. We must lead by example.
Patricia
Hi Cindy,
Wow, it is certainly unprofessional, and administration should not allow it! We have a no fraternizing policy at my institution. One can lose their job for such act.
Patricia
We must model what we are in the field. We must dress correctly, Be prepared for class and be on time. We are the model of what we want our students to become.
I've had issues with students inviting me to the bar with the group after class. I always politely decline. Other instructors at my school have no problem going bar hopping with their students after class. I find it highly unprofessional.
To avoid/ prevent legal problems/ claims will be one reason; but most important, as instructors, we are held to a certain level of profesionalism so that we can educate, mentor, assess students progress without any bias.
Hi Sarah,
Nicely stated! You are not teaching to be your students friends. You are there to help them succeed in life as a successful employee. Students want and need structure.
Patricia
Hi Peter,
What do you do to gain your students respect? I feel as though respect is something that is earned and not demanded.
Patrici
Hi John,
Students have a different sense of respect for you whenever you maintain professionalism. First and foremost, the student does not want to disappoint the instructor. The student will work extremely hard to succeed. The student tend to have a nonchalant attitude whenever they have been befriended by the instructor.
Patricia
If students get to close to you personally they do not take their classes seriously. They might say its ok if I fail that test because I am friends with the teacher.
you need to gain there respect
Everything we do as an instructor must be with the best interest of our students in mind. If instructors do not set clearly defined boundaries, students are not following a well-organized, consistent leader. Students will thrive in an environment where they know what to expect and what is expected of them. If we as instructors do not show clear dedication to the policies and expectations we have set for our class, then students will lose confindence. Students do not have to see their instructor as a "cool" friend. They need to believe in their instructors unwavering committment to help them reach their goals.
Hi Marivic,
Students should never be given the indication by an instructor that you are their friend. Students should fully understand that you are their teacher and this should be displayed in every way.
Patricia
Hi Matthew,
Wow, you sound a lot like myself. My students know from Day 1 based on my presence that I am a true professional, yet friendly, and they can come talk to me about anything. Professionalism is all in the way you carry yourself.
Patricia
Hi Aylee,
We are our students role models. We must look and act the part. Students learn professionalism through our appearance and actions.
Patricia
In my experience, I have found that there is a fine line between maintaining a professional image/distance and maintaining a rapport with students that make them comfortable talking candidly about issues that affect their academic success. The key for me is to understand that I play more than one role for my students, and that role changes from student to student and from class session to class session. I have a strong enough teaching persona and I'm comfortable enough in it that my students know who is in charge of the classroom and that I understand those issues of students outside of the classroom that affect their ability to succeed academically, and, therefore, I can help them on multiple levels while maintaining a professional image.
By virtue of being an instructor, you hold a higher position of authority and are held to a certain level of professionalism. When students and instructors cross the line between friendship and respect for authority, it becomes difficult for the instructor to effectively manage the classroom setting since students feel that befriending the instructor may gain them certain privileges. It can also lead the rest of the class to assume the instructor is playing favorites.
As an instructor, you are generally superior to the student since you are imparting knowledge upon them, and they are seeking knowledge. Therefore, you do not share the same interests in the classroom setting, and should not be friends.
