The student should only know the instructor on a professional level. once the instructor crosses the professional/ friendship line, the student see themselves as equal.
It is sometimes a fine line between being professional and having the students identify with you. The first thing is to be in full uniform. This includes being neat and clean having ones hair up and under a chefs hat etc etc. One must always be on time, aariving at school in or class. Also this includes demo time and all other parts of a classroom time line. I work with some instructors who think it is cool to be profane in class- it is not cool it is unprofessional!!!
Hi Kellie,
You should never come down to the students level. As educators, we must maintain a level above the students, therefore we do not befriend them.
Patricia
In my opinion maintaining a professional distance is vital. If you become friends with your students I feel you loose their respect as an instructor or mentor, now your are more of an equal.
Hi Mike,
Nicely stated! We must be the role models for our students so that they know how to act in a professional atmosphere.
Patricia
This distance develops the student/instructor relationship and respect: respect of the students as adults and students respect the professional behavior displayed by the instructor and use that display to picture themselves in their respective career roles. This also displays to some students that certain behaviors may not be tolerated in specific career settings.
Hi Carlos,
It is definitely important for the instructor to act professionally in every way.
Patricia
it's important that students view you as a mentor/instructor and not a buddy.
By doing so you keep the level of respect between you and the students which fosters an excellent focused learning environment. Once broken discipline and focus is lost since they feel they can now take advantage of the relationship and the class and be disruptive.
Carlos
Hi Mohan,
The teacher student relationship should not be a buddy system. The relationsip should simply be only professional in nature.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
Why do you feel this is owed to students?
Patricia
Hi Tammy,
What kind of examples do you give to exemplify a professional image?
Patricia
Hi Johnna,
Students should never be given any inclination that you are their friend because as you have stated, they will want preferential treatment.
Patricia
Hi Victoria,
A techer-student relationship should be solely professional!
Patricia
Hi Jamie,
This instructor really should not want to be regarded as being "cool"; the instructor should want to be regarded as being professional.
Patricia
If there is not a seperation between the student and teacher than there is a loss of respect which leads to the students taking liberties that are not afforded to them because they think the instructor is "cool".
It is important because if the student thinks that you are their friend they will not focus on the classwork as much as they should. You do not want a personal relationship to develop, it can have far reaching implications.
I always tell my students that I am their instructor and not their friend. If students think you are their friend and they fail an exam, then they will be offended because you as their "friend" should have passed them.
No matter where you are or what you are doing someone is watching, even if you aren't in front of a class. Being professional as an individual is the best way to teach it to your students.
Hi Mary,
This is the exact response I would have given. You are definitely on point!
Patricia
