if you do not maintain an instructor/student relationship, you could loose respect from the students. you don't want to put yourself into that type of situation. that is why it is not a good idea to accept "friend requests" from students on social networks such as Facebook. You should keep your personal life separate from your school life. If you become friends with the students, they may expect certain "favors" from their friend.....
You should always set an example for your students, in your actions, and appearance.
I believe its a fine line because you want to be respected and professional but you also want to show you are there for the student as support for them through the class.
Letting the students get too close or "chummy" can lead to disrespect. It is absolutely ok to be friends and be liked by the students. Some instructors have a hard time with close student relationships.
Being friendly and being friends are two different things some instructors need to be reminded of the difference.
Hi Linda,
Absolutely! Lead by example!
Patricia
Hi Trasey,
You are definitely on target! Distance is a must in the education setting. Boundaries must be established so that the student fully understands their role.
Patricia
Instructors are not students and don't share the same expectations from the class. It would be very difficult to be a friend at the same time as being objective about a student's performance.
Hi Ivette,
Act as a professional at all times. We certainly need to give our students their money's worth.
Patricia
Hi Sharon,
That's right! As educators we should never give our students a reason to get their signals crossed, keeping everything professional will ensure everyone is on the same page.
Patricia
Hi Karianne,
Absolutely, all students must be treated the same to avoid being labeled as an instructor who shows favoritism.
Patricia
I feel it is very important to maintain a professional image. I feel as a professional my attire should always be neat. A students first impression of the instructor will mostlikely be the on they remember. Always in everything you do keep in in a professional manner. Some students will want you to be friends, call them and feel like they can say and do things once you befriend them. As long as you keep everything on a professional basis, they will not get their signals crossed.
Pat,
It is all true that in dealing with students a teacher must establish that thin plane of detachment from students. It would be the best if there is mutual liking on both sides, but a teacher's job description is not to "like" the student as friend per se (personal liking) but to let the students see that the teacher "likes" them to know that he or she is the professional they could seek to address course/class issues(professional liking). A teacher who befriends a student gets too familiar with the student and thus creates an opportunity for contempt.
I think it's better to maintain a professional relationship with students. They pay to go to school and we wan to make sure they receive the proper education, not gain a new friend.
Other students who don't feel connected to the instructor can look at it as favoritism. It is important to maintain the same professionalism with all students.
you have to be a good leader.
When you maintain that professional distance it allows the student to still approach the instructor but doesnt give the image that the student can get preferential treatment.
Hi Donna,
You are right, new instructors must be extremely careful. New instructors are known as easy targets for everything.
Patricia
Hi Korin,
Instructors really need to watch where they hang out. Students will definitely let others know of your social activities if they are ever witnessed.
Patricia
Hi Ashley,
We will share mimimal personal information with students from time to time, but remember professionalism is key.
Patricia
