Hi Jon,
How do you distinguish between the two?
Patricia
the distinction needs to be made between "friendly" and "friends". It will be easier to maintain the class and it will model the professional business environment the students will be entering.
As an instructor, I have a knowledge, expertise and industry experience that is necessary to provide the appropriate instruction to my students. I do not need to be chummy with the class. I need to be the person they can learn from.
By being prepared, consistent and committed to my students - this is the path to respect.
Earning their respect because they learned from me and were able apply this knowledge in their careers - is so rewarding.
We don't need them to like us. We need to earn their respect.
The last thing you want is for a handful of students to think that they are your buddies. This creates a bad opinion of the instructor by other students and the instructor is put into a compromised postion with their "buddies". Keeping it professional and fair creates respesct.
It is important to maintain a professional distance because an instructor can not fairly evaluate a student that she has a personal relationship with. This is also unfair to the other students. That instructor could be accused of bias and that accusation would be correct.
Maintaining a professional distance causes a barrier between personal and professional thus causing no rumors of teacher-student relations.
maintiang a professional image is key to class management and sucess as an instrucotr. The students need to follow by direction. You are the best example for the student. In the culinary SBU we grade on prpofessionalism. If we as chef instructors do not meet the standard and maintian, how can we then grade our students.
It exemplifies self discipline.
A professional distance is very important for the simple fact that it helps to keep you bias in your decision making. It also helps to prevent you from playing "favorites" in the classroom and on grading assignments.
Hi Chanel,
Remember, the instructor/student relationship should be strictly professional. Befriending a student sends out the wrong message any way you look at it.
Patricia
Because the minute one student doesn't consider you an instructor over a "cool person" you are not doing your job. Professionalism is more important than becoming friends and remember that not all students will "like" you even then.
It is always important to maintain a professional distance because it simply defines you as a professional and not a friend. An instructor must be able to gain the attention of students through respect and not by being a friend. When a student feels they are your friend, they are not working as hard as they should be because they think you have a glorified special relationship and that you will let them get away with things.
Because it is unprofessional and possibly illegal to cross the teacher/student barrier. In addition, instructors who become too personally involved with their students lose the ability to remain objective when grading their students, which in turn leads to a loss of respect from the students.
Hi Holt,
Students really do look up to us in more ways than one. We must demonstrate in their presence how to act professionally.
Patricia
Hi Scott,
I understand what you mean! I feel the same way. We have to let our hair down too.....:-)
Patricia
Hi John,
You said it plain and simple. I totally agree! Practice what you preach!
Patricia
Hi Mario,
How do you go about maintaining a professional image?
Patricia
If you don't, you can lose control of the class very quickly. Students will try to push the boundaries of respect. If they get away with it once, its hard to get them back.
You lead students, How do you lead them? By example and by being professional at all times.
on AND off? Well I agree that if you are off campus as a representative of the school that you are expected to maintain yourself in a professional manner. However, if I am at the local pub shooting stick with my boys...weeeelllllllll.....I am probably not going to be conducting myself as if I was in front of my class. LOL.
Hi Amanda,
Exactly! Professionalism should be displayed at all times because you never know who is watching you. Professionlism should practiced on campus and off.
Patricia
