Yes,it's very important to maintain a professional image ,especially that I teach my students to become healthcare professionals.They have to learn how to communicate with patients,and how important it is to maintain a professional image in their future career.
In terms of an instructor's professional image I think it's important to be seen by my students as a professional educator who cares about them and their success ,is honest,and consistent in every thing he/she does or say during class .
think that we should represent a professionalism at all times, whether we think no one is watching or not.
Our student are required to be in uniform and since I start all the new students in our program I dress the way I expect my students to look.
Hi Philippe,
Remember, you are their instructor not their buddy. Draw the line, and they should know that you are not their friend, but you can be friendly to them.
Patricia
Hi Monica,
There is a big difference between being friendly with you students than being friends with them. We are not their buddy!
Patricia
Hi Scott,
We are role models, and we should lead by example in all areas.
Patricia
Because the instructor is setting the example of professionalism not only for the class itself but for the industry in which the student is preparing for. Additionally, getting too personal with some students opens the door for charges of favoritism leading to resentment within the class and toward the instructor resulting in a negative learning environment.
Professional distance is an important part of class management because an instructor is not a "buddy" but a professional. Otherwise, you might not receive the respect required to manage the class.
We have to remember that we are not here to be their friends. We are here to train them to be successful in their chosen field. If we treat them as our buddies usually class control is lax.
Hi Kimberly,
Certainly, boundaries must be established and lived up to. Students should not be able to cross the line; once the line is crossed too many problems come about.
Patricia
Hi Andrew,
Absolutley! We must lead by example! We are some of our students only role model.
Patricia
Hi Daniel,
You are on point! The student/teacher relationship should only be strictly professional! Any other type of student/teacher relationship is not good.
Patricia
Hi Al,
I agree! Students do not want to be told anything from you as the instructor if you have befriended them. They look at you as one of them and not as their instructor. The respect has diminished.
Patricia
There are two reasons why I maintain a professional distance from my students. The first is to avoid problems with other students due to the appearance of impropriety/favortitism. If a student has an issue with my grading, I am able to avoid allegations that another student received a higher grade because of my relationship.
Second, if I become too friendly with students, it can cause a problem in the event that student performs poorly. When the professional distance has been breached, it is too easy for the student to ask you to bend the rules just a little for them.
Its much harder to direct & reprimand students who you have "befriended". Also it diminishes the buffer zone for constructive critisism.
Learners expect professional not personal relationships with instructors first, while still being able to identify with instructors. Having a personal relationship can and will be noticed by other learners and can create an atmosphere that some learners are treated differently than others. Learners are all here for the same reason, to learn successful strategies that will enhance their future and I am here to help them achieve their goals.
I feel that by remaining professional in the class room you help the students see the way they should conduct themselves in the work place
It is very important to create boundaries with your students and one way to ensure that is to maintain a professional distance from them.
Hi Kelly,
When students don't respect you as an instructor you have very little control. Image is everything.
Patricia
Patricia,
Students judge their instructor from the first minute. Presenting a professional image establishes your initial credibility. The way we dress, how we carry ourselves, and what we initially say set the stage for the course.
Greg
