A professional image is important when deaing
with students especially new students on the
first day of class.The professional image includes not only appearance but your attitude
toward the students and other factors such
as being on time and having adequate knowledge
of your subject matter.
I agree that the student-in-college experience must be strictly professional. If you are already friends (i.e., teaching in class to someone who is already your friend outside the classroom), you must keep that relationship separate in the institution from any outside relationships. Similarly, your relationship to administration and staff should be in a professional manner as well.
Hi Frank,
Image is everything. We must act as professionals in every way.
Patricia
Hi Konnie,
Lead by example and be the professional that you want your students to become.
Patricia
Hi Sandra,
When students look at you as their equal, this is certainly not good. They will not give you the respect that you deserve as their instructor.
Patricia
Hi Roger,
I believe in keeping things strictly professional with students until they graduate. After they graduate, if I choose to invite them over for a family cookout, this action is fine because the student is now a graduate and can really become my friend at this point.
Patricia
Hi Julius,
As professionals we must look and act the part of a professional so that our students can learn professionalism from us.
Patricia
Hi Melissa,
The line is fine in education. As instructors, we should keep the business with students as strictly professional so that nothing is misconstrued.
Patricia
There is a fine line that is drawn between being an instructor who cares about their students, and one who becomes the "friend" Once you cross that line, you loose control of your classroom.
"Yes being professional is important. Thats why the way in which we dress,the level and tone within our voice, and the way in which we respond dictates our professional demeanor.
Being too friendly with students can make other students think you are favoring certain students. You don't need to disregard a student, but there should be a certain respect for each others' positions in the class. You could be friends with a student, but that relationship should be separate from any classroom activities, or institutional activities. It's like the professional respect between enlisted and officer ranks in the military, and it's for a purpose -- to accomplish the mission.
When maintaining a professional distance from students, the students will understand that you are their instructor and do not intend to become close personal friends or buddies. When this happens the students will lose respect for your authority and try to take advantage of you by thinking they can get away with things that they would not with other instructors.
An Instuctor never can lose the student respect.
Hi Julius,
Professionalism is key! Students need to learn professionalism from the instructor.
Patricia
By doing this it would not confuse the lines and keep you from getting into an uncomfortable situation.
Hi Cheryl,
I agree! Putting a courtesy title with one's last name generates more respect from the students.
Patricia
Hi Rachelle,
Nicely stated! We need to show professionalism at all times around our students. They are looking for someone to emulate professionally. They are not looking for another friend.
Patricia
This is important because if you cannot maintain professional distance from students they will see you as a friend and want you to "help" them out when you know your not suppose to. They will also want to be treated differently which is unfair to the rest of the class.
Students have an expectation of instructors that includes professionalism and expertise. By becoming a "buddy", an instructor in a sense becomes a fellow student and may not be taken seriously.
Hi Beverly,
That's right! The student automatically associates us with very high professionalism, therefore we should act the part.
Patricia
