Teaching, much like being a parent, requires one to be an authority figure. If you are on the "friend" level with your students, they may not take what you have to say seriously and may take advantage of the situation, thinking that they can get away with not handing in homework on time, come to class late, etc. because the boundaries are not very clear.
Once you cross that line between instructor/friend you can't go back. Students talk to one another and opinions start to form. You will be seen as a push over, all the students will want to become your friend because they will think that's how they can succeed in your class. You will lose respect and control over your class. Also any authority you have will be lost. They will argue about assignments, grades etc. All to try to sway your decisions. Facebook is a huge no no when it comes to students and instructors. Instructors CANNOT be " friends " with their students on facebook.
Hi Jeffrey,
I concur! Not only should the instructor act the part of a professional, the instructor should also look the part!
Patricia Scales
Maintaining a professional image helps draw the line between students, teachers and colleagues. Maintaining that image keeps the respect amongst student and peers which creates a positive work environment.
If a professional distance is not maintained a student may view you as a firend instead of an instructor. When this occurs you lose the authority that is needed in the classroom. A student needs to see a professional manner modeled in the classroom.
It's really a matter of leading by example. I strive to be approachable and friendly, but I hold the students to the same high standards that I was held to in culinary school and in the industry. I model the behavior in my class, holding them accountable for appearance, uniform, preparedness, etc.
Hi Rebecca,
I agree 100%. The student/teacher relationship should be strictly business.
Patricia Scales
Maintaining a professional distance is important because you have to draw a line between the instructor and the student. Your relationship must always remain professional, and in turn you and the student will form a mutual respect.
It's important for students to view their instructors as professionals who will treat all students with respect and fairness. The class policies need to be transparent / implemented consistently. Crossing the line between friend and professional is both dangerous and confusing. At the end of the day, I want students to say that every class they experienced with me was prepared, well managed, informative and that everyone was respected and treated fairly. If they throw in they like me that's nice but not necessary.
Maintaining a professional image is a must for a sucessful class. As you present and conduct yourself it will dictate the level of respect the student will present to you. Remember the saying "Talk the talk, walk the walk". Always mean what you say and say what you mean
Becoming too friendly with students can present a huge problem. Fraternization in the workplace is something that is not tolerated, the same needs to be done in the academic world.
The whole issue of being "respected," versus being, "liked." I demand respect in my classroom. A big issue today is Facebook. Where students want to be "friends" with you on Facebook. I tell them I do not even have it, and that are here for an education. I show them that I am here for a reason, to instruct them on proper procedures in their career choices and to guide them in the proper direction to be successful. A "friend" sometimes cannot do this because of a certain bias.
It is impossible to be a friend and maintain your professional image. Just as an MA does not know all about the MD's life because we see them as an example.
Even as a manager, you can not be friends with your staff. You can be friendly but putting yourself in the position of being friends will only set you up to be questioned and played for favoritism. Even if it is a serious need it will be brought to you with expectations of having your request granted and the fall out of having to deny the request can be detramental.
It is important to maintain a professional image because you may still be able to share academic information but the students do not have the same vision of you when you are their "friend" and therefore they do not receive the information at the same level as if they saw you only as their caring, educated, profesional instructor.
I teach medical assistant students, so it also sets the stage for their relationships with their patients. I feel that by maintaining a porfessional distance from the students, I am leading by example as well. Students will mimic my professional role when they are employed in the medical profession and will keep a professional distance from the patients who enter the student's place of employment.
Amber, I agree with your statement. We are traing our students to be professionals. I often share my experiences with my students. I work in the health care field, and as a health care professional, society sees us as having a different, higher, set of standards. We can often run into our patients in the supermarket, at the bank, walking our dogs at the park. They dont see us as average people, living our personal lives off the clock. To them we are still doctors, nurses, dentists, dental assistants, and they expect us to behave as such. So being professional at work/school is not enough. We always need to act professional as we never know who we may run into.
Maintaining a professional distance allows a maximum possible conduit for education: impartial, caring, and fair.
Dr. Kim
Hi John,
I concur! The roles must be differentiated. The student/instructor relationship should be strictly business.
Patricia Scales
Hi Dawn,
I love your perspective about professionalism. You are right on point! I can tell that you are a super role model for your students.
Patricia Scales
The role of the educator is to provide and nurture but it also requires to monitor and be stern when need be. Distance is required to let the students know their roles as learners and educator as a leader
I do agree with this thinking. There are many instructors who are on a first name basis with the students, but I do make them address my as "Miss Dawn". This helps ME maintain a distance as well as a degree of separation from the students.
I also walk the walk...if I expect my students to dress professionally and within our standards, then I should expect the same from myself. Always in a lab coat, hair always up and always as professional as I can be. We ARE the example that we want them to be.
