I still work in the field eight hours a day. The students see my truck. My favorite slogan is "making headaches go away".
This is my goal, on whatever platform, solve problems and make people happy.
I have forty years of experience in the trade, life, teaching, parenting, being approachable.
Believe it or not, I can still learn a thing or two. Yes, I'm a work-a-haulic.
One of the primary reasons that maintaining a professional distance from students is an important part of class management has to do with the students' perception of fairness. If we fail to maintain that professional distance, our personal feelings toward individuals tend to dictate our actions. This can create the impression that we give more attention, show more flexibility, are more critical, etc. to some than others. One of the quickest way to lose student respect is to be perceived as one who "plays favorites."
oh please, if that happens they, the instructor, is in the wrong field. We are to lead by example and that was totally the wrong one...even though I know it happens here
when I pull up my facebook page, all of them show up on the same page even though they are in separate categories. I am only on facebook because the school wanted us to converse with way...for some it is not working. This has worked for me but then I was accused of something that didn't happen by my director. I asked for the proof and there was none to show. I have a good relationship with students and my director says she doesn't know why I do and why they will talk to me and not to her...
Is also important to have a good rapportwith your students, so they know you are approachable.
Students are there to learn from you - not to be your friend. It is important that they feel they are all on the same playing field and that you as the instrutor do not have favorites who might get preferential treatment on assignments and exams.
It is important because if you were to lets say go to a party with your students and things got out of control or you drank too much, you still have to face them the next class day and there in lies your conundrum.
Hi Cenita,
The two certainly should be differentiated amongst. Students should stay in their role, and instuctors should do likewise.
Patricia
Hi Cassandra,
You certainly must lead by example! We must do as we ask our students to.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
I have my religious and political views listed on my FB profile. I feel like many of my students may have totally different views than mine. As being a role model, I believe that by allowing my students to see my posts and profile could possibly offend he or she. Therefore I believe that it would be totally unprofessional for me to add my students to my friends list.
Option: I plan to create a professional FB account which will not have my private and personal information listed as does my private account. This will allow me to add my students and other professional organizations as my friends. Your thoughts?
Because when you maintain a professional image the students will respect you as a instructor more. How can you teach profissionalism if you don't let that reflect your image? It shows the student that you are not their friend, but their instructor.
You need to keep the personal and professional aspects of a student - instructor relationship separate. It can become an henderance in such situations as grades or disciplinary situations.
Hi Gordon,
I concur! It should be a given who runs the show, yet the instructor can be personable and caring.
Patricia
I agree... it is very important to maintain a professional image. At my school I think the students should also have to maintain the same professional image as the intsurctors do.
You can't be friends with students. It would be too easy to disappoint them and yourself because you have to be real. Your profession is teaching skills for life. Students have friends and the association of friendship with students is stepping over the line.
We lead by example and our profession is to bring forth the new leaders of tomorrow.
Hi Sara,
Being too friendly with a student is not a good thing. Students need to know that you mean business, yet you are approachable and personable.
Patricia
because you are the role model of the students.
Hi George,
This is true! Students did not come with the intentions of having the instructor as a friend, they want to be taught by a professional.
Patricia
Hi Kelly,
I concur! Professionalism brings about a lot of respect from students.
Patricia
