It is important to maintain professionalism because if you try to become buddy buddy then you will most likely lose the respect of the student.
Maintaining a professional distance allows you to be professional in your grading and relationships with the students. An instructor who is a friend first to a student will have a hard time grading without bias and recording an F for a student. It's very hard to record a bad grade when you're face to face with a friend. Also I think you lose your objectivity when dealing with someone you know as a friend. You may allow them more leeway in turning in assignments or reports than you do others in the class. And this leads to you being viewed as one who plays favorites. That's not a good reputation to have.
Hi Susan,
The instructor also needs to be professional because as professionals we should lead by example.
Patricia
I see how it would be very easy to want to become friends with a student. If I feel a student is becoming too close, I just tell them that I would be happy to do things with them outside class as soon as they graduate!! I let them know that the relationship we have is purely professional and all about them passing the class and graduating and getting a job. I sometimes have a hard time trying not to have my favorite students. I just keep telling them all as a group that they are all my favorites.
Being seen as a professional is key to being a good instructor. The professional distance one creates as an instructor provides a foundation for receiving respect from the students. Respect is a cornerstone to classroom management. Without respect for the instructor, students will do whatever they feel like doing. This includes (but is not limited to) using cell phones in class, talking with peers during class lectures, or turning in assignments late (or not at all). Maintaining a professional distance does not mean that an instructor should avoid building rapport with students or using humor as a tool in the classroom. It means that the instructor guides the atmosphere/climate of the learning environment.
An instructor needs to be professional so students respect her not only for her knowlege but for her expertise
I agree, I think its very important to find that balance with your students so that they know that you care about them but still see you as a prefessional.
Hi Carol,
We as educators should hold our students to very high standards, therefore our standards should be set even higher.
Patricia
Hi Marcia,
Students need someone to show them how to be professional in every way, and that someone is the educator.
Patricia
Hi Rita,
That's right! We need to lead by example and establish only a student/instructor relationship.
Patricia
You are there teacher, not their buddy. It creates an uncomfortable situation when they approach you as their friend.
I think students have a greater respect for expectations of professionalism and they view the instructor that expects professionalism on a higher level.
How can we ask the student to be professional and we are acting like they are our best friend and not our students.
Hi Francine,
Setting boundaries in a student/teacher relationship is very healthy. Each person knows his/her role.
Patricia
Hi Cindy,
As educators we must lead by example. We are some of our students only role model.
Patricia
Hi Samuel,
I concur! A professional attitude anywhere is a must!
Patricia
Instructors are facilitators of knowledge, professional role models who must display integrity and competence by showing compassion and caring for their students but in a respectible distance as the professional not a social friend.
I agree. I have worked in the commercial refrigeration field for 27yrs and the same goes for management. Profesional attitude in a store or warehouse is paramount.
It is important to maintain a professional distance from students, in order to avoid showing favoritism. An instructor should maintain a professional and unbiased relationship with all students, as this promotes a better learning environment.
I believe that maintaining a professional appearance shows the students that it's important for them to begin maintaining a professional appearance when they are in the field. It sets an example.
