Hi Lacey,
We must remember we are some of our students only role model.
Patricia
Hi Kim,
Well said! The instructor's responsibilities are to teach and instruct. Befriending a student does not fit into the equation.
Patricia
You don't want students to think you are their friends. You want them to see you as a mentor and a role model, but not their friend. Without that professional distance, students will expect too much.
"Do you think Ms. Smith will mind that my paper is late?"
"Nah, she's cool."
"You don't think Ms. Smith will care if I miss another class, do you?"
"No way, she'll be alright with it.
These are the kinds of thoughts students will have if you befriend them. They need to have structure in the classroom and that means keeping your professionalism.
Hi John,
We have to remember to be professional at all times while on campus. Students watch us constantly, and they form an opinion, good or bad.
Patricia
Hi Joseph,
Absolutely! We are not in it for a popularity contest! We need to always make our priority to teach our students so that they can learn from us.
Patricia
Hi Cambria,
Nicely stated! Distance is key in a student/teacher relationship. The roles should not be mistaken.
Patricia
Hi Shawn,
Certainly! Treat all students the same. Provide TLC to every student.
Patricia
Hi Shawn,
Absolutely, not beforehandd!
Patricia
Because if you don't, it can lead to accusations of favoritism and wrong motives. The instructor also places him or herself in a position to compromise their moral or legal integrity. This is especially true if the instructor (through this friendship)learns of something illegal the student is doing. As instructors, we are bound by the law to report illegal activity and should an instructor become friends with this particular student, the instructor's career could be jeopardized.
Because if you don't, it can lead to accusations of favoritism and wrong motives. The instructor also places him or herself in a position to compromise their moral or legal integrity. This is especially true if the instructor (through this friendship)learns of something illegal the student is doing. As instructors, we are bound by the law to report illegal activity and should an instructor become friends with this particular student, the instructor's career could be jeopardized.
Because if you don't, it can lead to accusations of favoritism and wrong motives. The instructor also places him or herself in a position to compromise their moral or legal integrity. This is especially true if the instructor (through this friendship)learns of something illegal the student is doing. As instructors, we are bound by the law to report illegal activity and should an instructor become friends with this particular student, the instructor's career could be jeopardized.
Students need to see the instructor as an expert on the field being taught. The student needs to "see" and "feel" that the instructor knows because of his /her experiences the topics that are going to be discuss. That image of being an expert on the field goes beyond the knowledge. How the instructor presents him or herself also plays. It is important to be early to class and to be able to set up before those first students get to class. It is important to great them personally as they come in, many first impressions are long lasting. How you are dressed has also a very significant influence on how you are perceived.
An instructor should maintain their professional distance from any student for many reasons, but the least of which being that the instructor is not mistaken for giving that student perference in things such as tests and homework. It's kind of like a parent deciding to be a child's friend instead of their parent. You can't be both. That doesn't mean you can't get along with your child, but you need to teach them respect and wrong from right. Teachers are the same way. You need to be able to teach them how things work in the real world and I think when an instructor gets too close to a student they lose the ability to do so.
Exactly. When they graduate and join the workforce, they become peers.
You are not their peer; you are professional instructor.
It maintains an equal ground for all the students. If they feel like you are "taking a liking" to a particular student they will begin to question your authority and motives.
Many may be able to imagine how unprofessional behavior can cause future headaches in the classroom setting. Having students call you by your first name, for example would be setting the tone that everyone is on the same level. There is little this type of instructor could do to command respect at a later time.
I have a colleague whose last name is Rodriguez and her first name starts with an A. She doesn't mind if her students refer to her as A-Rod, the same nick-name for famous baseball player Alex Rodriguez, but they have to include the title Ms. when they use it.
Jerry
By maintaining a respectful distance you keep yourself from becoming too involved in your students lives or vice versa. It can also help you in a difficult situation where you may have to deliver bad news or a bad grade because you have maintained your air of authority. If you have kept a professional but courteous demeanor you can relate to your students on a personal yet professional level.
If you get to close to any student, then the others regard it as 'favoritism'. This causes conflicts and as I've always told my students, "you don't have to like me as a friend. I'm not here to be your friend, I'm here to have you learn from me".
Students must see that while you can be friendly and approachable, you are not their social buddy. There is a distance that must be professionally kept. You need to make sure what you say and do around your students can be taken the wrong way by some.
