Hi Donna,
Your image should certainly set you apart from the student. Instructors should be looked upon as role models in every way.
Patricia
The sutudents want the teacher to be competent, relevant, and able to teach.
You want to always be respected by the students as a teacher, and not a peer.
Hi Carolina,
Based on your response, this is solely why the air should always be clean. As educators, we should never subject ourselves to this type of activity. The student/teacher relationship should strictly be professional in nature.
Patricia
By definition, students are 'apart' from their instructors, and that is correct and proper. Especially in a career college setting, where instructors and students can be closer in age, the relationship should not be muddied by any fraternizing. This creates confusion for the student (am I getting a good grade because I'm a friend) and danger for the instructor (if I don't give this person a good grade, will they sue the school).
Hi Sara,
Nicely stated! We must be careful to treat ALL students the same. I have been teaching for 21 years, and I have never been labeled as showing favortisim.
Patricia
Hi Rachel,
Absolutely! Students look up to us as educators, therefore, we must lead by example in all areas.
Patricia
To students, instructors are set to high level, by keeping a professional image you are setting a standard for yourself and for your students. Students respect an instructor who is consistently professional rather than one who is not.
Sometimes it is hard to not let an instant connection you may have with a student develop into what can be perceived as a friendship. I try to remind myself to have the same enthusiastic conversations with all my students so that it is fair across the board.
True, and if the sudents are able to stay focused, they will also concentrate and learn the information and hopefully retain it too.
Maintaining a professional image will help the students feel that the instructor has SME and IDE.
Hi Nancy,
In order for your students to respect you and look to you as the authoritative figure, you must not become their friend, simply remain as the instructor.
Patricia
Hi Eric,
You have it! Own up to your mistake and move forward.
Patricia
Hi Meredith,
It is important for the instructor to be regarded as the authoritative figure in the classroom.
Patricia
Maintaining a professional image establishes respect, which helps the student stay focused.
So they see you as an authority figure and not one of them (student).
You do not want to give the impression of "playing Favorites". It doesnt take much to give a wrong impression
It important for the Instructor to keep a professionnal image to maintain the trust of the student We all make mistake but has an intructor we need to reconize our mistake in front of the student and move on
If you become their friend, you lose any respect the student should feel towards the Instructor. The Instructor takes the role of the boss in a workplace. Everything is training for when the student is out working in their field. Instructors have to maintain a professional image as a role model, in how to look and act in a professional setting. Otherwise, students may feel they may overstep the boundaries between Instructor and student in slacking off on their work, and not handing in asssignments.
Hi David,
You're right! Students will begin treating you as if you are one of the boys or girls so to speak. At my institution it is coporate culture for students to address the instructors with the courtesy title and their last name.
Patricia
