Only by maintaining a professional distance can you always be and appear to be fair and objctive. If it appears to students you are more connected to one student than another or to one class more than another, you lose credibility.
Because they need to learn to respect your authority as their instructor. If you get to friendly with them, they feel they need special treatment. This can all be avoided by just teaching them what they need to know and not becoming to personal with them.
You want to reflect the characteristics of what is required for success in the career field
Hi, i think we should maintain a professional image,so that the students do the same. Otherwise when they get into the field they will be less than professional. My instructor was always professional and till this day I remember to present myself like a true proffesional.
Respect & ability to maintain control of the classroom.
While your students can like you, its best to also ensure that they can count on you to be their guide and trust source of expertise.
Without that wall of professionalism between you and the student, the student may feel that you are "too much at their level" of understanding to be able to help them grow.
Patricia,
Students need to see their instructors as professionals. By keeping a professional distance from the students, respect for the instructor is built among students. This shows the students that the instructor cares about their education, by not playing favorites or being drawn into becoming buddies with the students. As a whole, the entire class will see the instructor as a leader; someone they should follow. As a result, they will work harder on their assignments to gain mutual respect.
professional distance helps to maintain a level of respect
students wnat and need an instructor to respect and see as a role model in thier field.
As being an instructor you do not want to be viewed as having "favorites", which could be perceived as giving special treatments such as higher grades or being less strict with the common procedures in the classroom with a special group of students.
Not only is it professional in the classroom, but is also in the workforce. There is a level of respect and boundaries displayed, and shows an exemplary degree of professionalism.
If you become friends with your students, you have removed the professional distance. This means students no longer see you as a qualified expert but rather as a peer. In my view, this takes away your credibility and causes a loss of respect by the students. It is okay to show an interest in students and get to know them, but it should not be okay to socialize with them and have a relationship with them outside of the classroom environment.
Hi Laurie,
I fully understand how you feel. I am a suit person. I want it to be known to a stranger that based on dress who the instructor is.
Patricia
Hi Carla,
You are right! You should be viewed as a professional by your students! You should as a role model for your students.
Patricia
You can't be buddies but you can be mentors and advisors to your students.
Students need to respect their intstructors; instructors want students to like them but respect is more important.
I try to show the students some immediate respect by recognizing them by name during the first class, no later than the second class. If you make the effort to recognize students by name they generally reciprocate by providing some attention and effort.
If you become too personally involved with students, you take away some of their respect for you as their teacher. They must not view you as their "peer".
For myself, being a Business Instructor, I have always dressed up for teaching. I think it is very important to display professionalism at all times. I have always felt awkward when they had dress-down days on Fridays at the college level. Fortunately, the last college that I taught at did not hold classes on Fridays so it made it easier for me.
Hi Rufino,
How do you go about maintaining a professionalism? I lead by example so that students can see exactly what professionalism is all about.
Patricia
Because you need to project professionalism and trust.
Hi Jennifer,
I can tell your teacher in grad school made a great impression on you. I can also gather that you follow her lead as a true professional, and your students will follow your lead as a true professional.
Patricia
