Hi Margilane,
My motto is strictly business. Personal business is not encouraged with your students.
Patricia
There are many opportunities today for students to see teachers as "friends"-Facebook and other social media immediately come to mind.
While I enjoy my students and the interactions that we have, I also make it clear that the day we become friends is the day they graduate from the school.
Dave Rakowski
It sets and keeps a professional boundary which is important in fostering a professional relationship with students. It is best to be concerned, but not their friend. You need to be the leader/instructor. Becoming students friends diminishes your credibility as a leader.
You are not there to be their buddies, so hanging out with them makes them feel equal to you and will reduce their respect for you.
Hi Gregory,
Students really need to and want to see professionalism from the instructor. Remember to keep things strictly business.
Patricia
Hi Maureen,
I like your perspective. I am sure you give your students all you have.
Patricia
Hi Michael,
I even understand your perspective from a gender aspect as well. We do have to be very careful, regardless.
Patricia
Hi Rosemary,
Yes, you are right! As educators, the best thing to remember is to keep the teaching/learning process "strictly business."
Hi Steven,
I like it! I too am dress for success. Students tell me all the time how nice I look.
Patricia
Hi Daniel,
Everyone wants to be liked, but the focus is to be respected and share your knowledge with your students. Teaching is not a popularity contest.
Patricia
Hi Ruth,
You're right, it is a small world. You never know who you will run into.
Patricia
This is so very true. As an instructor, you should still maintain a personal public image that is reputable.
Maintaining a professional image with your students gain respect. Also, i think all tooo often, instructors cross the line from being "friendly" with students, which can gain respect to becoming "friends" with students and fraternizing with them, which is crossing the line. My adult students all address me as Ms. Armstrong, and I see that as a sign of respect, rather than have them address me as a friend on a first name basis.
Ruth Armstrong
Students will see you as the expert or leader of the class. Friends are good but not with students. You need to be respected more than liked so students will have confidence in you as an educator.
So that the students respect you as a "superior". Which means they will continue to behave, pay attention, etc. Otherwise, if you become "friends" they will get too relaxed and assume that different behavior in class will be acceptable.
I agree. I always try to look my best, maintaining a professional appearance. Afterall, the students need something to emulate.
It is a good thing to maintain a good image. I always make an attempt to be prepared before the class starts and review the students names on the attendence sheet. I am dressed for success
I agree with the Harvard instructor. The moment you become a student's friend, you have disappointed them. It is good to keep that professional relationship. The students admire and respect you more for it.
To discourage favoritism and gain respect. Professionalism is a constant - in the classroom as well as at work and play !
I think a common mistake that new instructors make is to become personally involved with their students. It's easy to do because we spend so much time with them and really do care about their success. It can cause conflict in the classroom and the other students see it as favortism.
All we can do is help them get the education then need to go on to a better life.
