I've spent a lot of time in school, teaching and learning. I would say that some of the most impressive and influential people in my life have been drawn in part from the teachers I've had.
I fondly recall my 10th grade Math instructor. We was always dressed in a suit, vest :) and tie knew his material and, most importantly, knew how to get it across to his students. He would make his entrance each class period by opening the door to the class and sliding his briefcase across the floor to his desk. He made clear to me that in addition to content, a little drama now and then never hurt.
One of my professors in graduate school said it best... treat each class as if you are the center of your students' attention -- the second you stray from that picture is when you will get into trouble.
We owe our students the same obligation a great jazz musician has to her audience, a dentist his patients, a preacher her congregation; to inspire and lead. Anything less than presenting a professional image to your student population results in there being one big loser... you.
I think maintaining a professional distance from students shows my respect for my students. It helps them realize I believe they master the material. If the instructor-student relationahip becomes more of a buddy relationship, there's way too much room for egos to get involved, kind of an emotional push and pull that students or instructors might take advantage of. The only thing I get concerned about is not coming off as overly professional or using professionalism as something that it is not, an excuse to make students feel inferior, or a way to deflect attention away from an instructor mistake.
Hi Dorothy,
Absolutely! Students quickly form opinions about favoritism. A student should never have to question/wonder if an instructor is showing favoritism because an instructor should treat all students the same.
Patricia
Hi Thomas,
I am very friendly with my students, but they know that I am not their friend; they know I am their instructor. I carry myself as their instructor and not their buddy.
Patricia
Hi Christina,
Boundaries must be established with the student/teacher relationship. A student should never be allowed to cross the line. The relationship should be strictly business.
Patricia
You do not want to become to close to the student, cause the other student's will think it is favoratism
Hi, I think it's important to establish and maintain professional boundaries in order to gain respect.
An instructor can be "friendly" with his or her students but they must never be "friends" with them!
Maintaining a professional image is important because it establishes a set of boundaries with the student and also shows objectivity. By setting boundaries between the student and the instructor, the relationship is less likely to get blurred, and other students are less likely to feel left out because they are not "buddies" with the teacher.
Being professional also supports objectivity. This can be as simple as adopting a professional dress, rather than opting for more personal preferences that indicate the instructors own cultural, religious, or political leanings. By being "generic" you are less likely to alienate students who may not share your opinions.
It allows an instructor the ability to make tough decisions when they arise. By becoming too friendly with students, it can make holding the same standards for everyone much more difficult.
Bobbi Bricker
Students are looking to you for guidance. No one wants to get career advise from someone they don't respect.
I think that once we become too comfortable with anything we let our gaurd down. WE alwyas want to present ourselves in the most professional way possible and that includes keeping those boundries between ourselves and students solid.
Hi Peter,
An instructor's reputation is very important. An instructor has to maintain professionalism in order to uphold their credible reputation. An instructor's reputation proceeds he or she, whether it is good or bad.
Patricia
Hi Dianne,
We must demonstrate professionalism to our students through every way, such as dress, speech, actions, gestures, etc. Students constantly watch our every move. We must serve as our students role models.
Patricia
Yes I agree. Professionalism is very important in todays world. Student expect a lot out of their instructors.
The students all have to know that are treated equal. That you have no favorites. I tell the students I am not here to be their friend I am here as an eductor who cares about them and their success in this field. If I don't keep that separation the students all talk with one another and they know what is happening. I also want to be an example for them, so when they go out and because an educator they will follow in my footsteps.
As an instructor, you never want to put yourself in a compromising position. I always try to avoid "he says, she says" situations. You will lose control of your class if you allow a student to feel the power of the upper hand. By maintaining a safe distance, you're protecting your reputation as an instructor who is dedicated to their profession as well as possessing the ethical standards necessary to competently teach his or her class.
A professional distance allows the instructor to be able to make objective decisions that are best for the student and the classroom. A casual or innaproppriate relationship undermines the instructors authority with the entire class.
Students will try to "rope you in" to unprofessional behavior... so that the standards of class behavior will be lower!
A lot of the responses are focusing on the student's perception, or on the perceptions of other students in the plural.
I'd like to point out also that it affects the instructor's own perceptions as well. Not only does it keep students from suspecting the instructor of unfairness or impropriety, it also keeps the instructor from, in fact, developing and acting on real preferences and affections. As much as we don't want our students to think of us as "buddies," we're not immune to that phenomenon ourselves; we need to insulate ourselves from seeing certain students as buddies or confidants (or more!).
