Overall you need to be friendly with students but not their friend, students will feel they can get special treat if they feel they are friends with and instructor. Showing your willing to help them to learn the material and grow as a professional is a good tool as long as you make it clear you are gonna help them pass the class.
We as instructors are the examples of the profession that the student is entering. Our professionalism will project the image the student will need to project in the working world.
to demonstrate the expectations of employers in thier field of choice, and a successful future
Because they need to understand that you are not their peer, but their instructor someone that they can look up to and respect.
By setting and keeping professional boundaries, students will respect you as their instructor. It is a responsibility as an instructor to maintain a professional image. This can be maintained by appropriate dress, language, interaction, and setting the appropriate boundaries. Students will respect an instructor that maintains a professional image. Sharing to much personl information with students is inappropriate and takes away from class time.
It is important even with adult students to maintain a distance to avoid confussion of the lines of authority.
because you need seperation to establish control
The main reason I think this is important is because it is too easy to get pulled into your student's drama. We are there to educate them, not to counsel them on personal issues. We should refer them to someone who is qualified to help them. We can also then help the student see the line between your job to educate them on a certain subject and their own personal problems.
Sometimes students will get frustrated with this approach, but in the end they will respect you and your decisions.
If a student relationship turns personal, a student may think that they get special favors in class. A teacher needs to maintain control at all times.
Craig Couillard
Hi Brenda,
There is a distinct difference between the two. You are right, we are certainly the role models. Students really look up to us.
Patricia
Hi Brenda,
There is a distinct difference between the two. You are right, we are certainly the role models. Students really look up to us.
Patricia
I am the authority figure in the class- I must remain somewhat distant from my students in order to maintain that authority. This will help the class respond and work with me, as the instructor- enabling and moving the class along.
Hi Vicki,
You are right! We are always being watched on campus and off as well.
Patricia
It is important because students watch instructors. Our professionalism, or lack thereof, will have an impact.
Distance is needed because instructors are not part of the gang or group. We are the examples or roll models that the students should aspire to. The instructors should provide the knowledge, guidance and the passion that the students need to become a sucess in their chosen field.
Hi Kathryn,
All students should be treated the same. As instructors, it causes way too many problems when favortism is shown. Favortism is very unfair.
Patricia
It shows that you are not treating one person more thant the other.
Agreed. As a new instructor respect is difficult to gain and to keep. My students are always looking for a way to discredit me so it is important to be on your game everyday.
Hi Peter,
Distance is key! You model these two instructors, and it sounds like you will be fine, obviously they impressed you. Mimick them.
Patricia
Hi Natasha,
Draw the line, I am the instructor and you are the student. Play your role well as the instructor and do not let students cross the line. Relationships should be kept strictly professional in nature.
Patricia
