Hi B. A.,
We must lead by example. Great points made. Some instructors truly do not look the part.
Patricia
I think that many times the ability to walk into a classroom and make a determination as to who is the instructor and the student is not always clear. As a more senior member of faculty, I always try to dress in a professional way, neat with professional attire which includes makeup, appropriate clothes and jewelry which nowadays is not always the case. I have seen faculty in clothing which is extremely casual, that I would not wear when I'm not at work. The students sometimes comment on how poorly faculty members dress and that they don't care how they look! Certainly dress is only a component of maintaining a professional image but it is a part. It would seem sometimes that as faculty, we wonder why students don't learn how to grow into a professional image when we ourselves don't live in that image.
Maintaining a professional distance from your students is an important part of class management because it lets the roles of educator and student be clearly articulated. If the educator becomes a "friend" or "pal," it can be difficult to maintain and encourage respect, disciple, deadlines and not be taken advantage. I think it also helps the student know rules, boundaries and limitations which can be blurred if a professional distance is not maintained!
Hi Dorenda,
Distance is important when it comes to a student/teacher relationship. It is funny what can be perceived from distance.
Patricia
Hi Quesstonnal,
I agree. What do you think is the role of the instructor and the student?
Patricia
It is important to me to maintain some professional distance because I want the students to respect me as an instructor and not as a friend. This is especially important for me because many of the students are close to my age, so they often open up to me about their personal lives. I limit the amount of my life that I share. While I do listen when they share about their personal lives, I remain pretty objective and diplomatic in order to keep a professional distance.
There have to be boundaries in the teacher / student relationship. Each must know their roles and respond appropriately. Without this seperation the situation can become uncomfortable and unclear.
Keeping a professional distance allows respect to dictate the faculty/student relationship, not personal issues that can distract from the learning process.
Hi Melanie,
How do you go about representing professionalism?
Patricia
Hi Jennifer,
How do you go about maintaining professionalism in the classroom?
Patricia
Hi Beverlin,
Respect is something that once it has been lost, it is hard to regain.
Patricia
With any position, may it be teaching or working in a company, once the 'professional' boundaries have been breached, students and/or co-workers can loose the respect needed in order to ensure that the work gets done.
Hi Pam,
What do you think it takes to maintain a professional image?
Patricia
Hi Mark,
I simply do not believe in sharing time away from campus with students, if the time is not classroom related. It has to be a distinct separation from professional and personal.
Patricia
Hello Gary,
What do you feel behavior/action has to do with a professional image?
Patricia
As an instructor, one must maintain professionalism in the classroom.
Just as in business, an image is portrayed by appearance and demeanor.
I am cautious with my professional image, and that would include opportunities to share time with students away from campus. I walk a fine line in the classroom with being their "buddy" by maintain a "vision of success"; after all I am a success no matter how many mistakes I have made, bad days I have had, and anxious moments I experience in front of an audience. Succes is my vision and I share it with my students, acquaintances, and new friends whereever I go.
Hi Rebecca,
And may I add you represent "YOU."
Patricia
Hi Eric,
Anyone should be able to walk into a classroom and make a distinct difference between the instructor and the student based on appearance.
Patricia
