In a career college environment, how does one maintain a professional distance from students without becoming the unintended therapist or psychologist? How as an Instructor can we help our students without feeling like one is working for Social Services?
One of the great pitfalls of instructors at every level is that they do not understand how students view them. Many students feel their instructors walk on water, it is often a disappointment when students find out that while their instructor knows everything about their discipline, they might be completely inept in several other venues! It's best to keep the relationship professional.
Hi Penuel,
You are right! Students confidence level is heightened whenever they can teach something to the student. I learn a lot from my students, not so much about academics, but just about life/survival in general.
Patricia Scales
Jason,
I agree! Instructors must carry themselves as professionals at all times so that students clearly understand who takes on the authoritarian role.
Patricia Scales
Hi Paul,
I concur! favoritism is frowned upon. Treat all students the same.
Patricia Scales
Hi Stephen,
Nicely stated! The student/instructor relationship should be strictly business.
Patricia Scales
Hi David,
Favortisim is frowned upon. Treat all students the same.
Patricia Scales
We have several younger faculty that make the mistake of getting too close to students. They want to be friends. I have always maintained professional relationships in class and out. I do not allow my students to contact me for non-school related issues and will not engage in any social networking (even as graduates) activities etc.
My school has a strict policy for student-instructor fraternization. We are prohibited from offering rides/carpooling. If the class meets at a coffee shop, everyone must buy their own beverage. This prevents the appearance of playing favorites or being biased. I have admitted that I have never workded in a certain clinical area, but that I still know a lot. I encourage students that have more experience in that area to share their knowledge with the class, so that we all may learn. I particularly like to learn from my students - I give them all projects to do that builds their knowledge and self-esteem. They like it when they've taught something to the teacher.
It is important that students see you,the instructor, as an authority figure, not a buddy. In order to assess the students progress fairly you must remain impartial.
As an instructor one needs to keep this separation in order to ensure impartiality and fairness to all students. If you become good friends with several of the students, the rest of the class will view your actions as favoritism towards the select group of students. This leads down a slippery slope for your professionalism and create a conflict of interest for you with your students.
Well, just like the quiz question stated, it is better to be respected than liked. Teachers are there to educate, not to form relationships. It is certainly appropriate to be friendly and open to the students in order to not be mechanical & robotic, however, if the "proscenium" between student & instructor is breached, the level of respect that the student has for the teacher diminishes and then, the teacher is guilty of "bringing themselves down to their level" & consequently, the student will have lost a lot (if not all) of the motivation to deliberately choose to aspire to an archetype or role-model because they will at once be with a peer rather than a mentor.
If one student feels that others are being favored, that student may take that realization personally.
Hi Georgiajo,
Carry yourself professionally at ALL times, this means dress, speech, actions (verbally/nonverbally), etc. Make it obvious to the students that you care about their success, but you are the authoritarian. I was 24 when I started in this industry, but I presented myself professionally at all times, and age was never an issue.
Patricia Scales
I have learned to present that now. My first few months of teaching I had to find a balance. I look like I am 18 myself, so the students would feel they relate a lot to me and I had to find a way to make them see that although I am human I am not here to be their friend.
Hi Annie,
I concur! We must practice what we preach.
Patricia Scales
Hi Georgiajo,
Stand out from them even though appearance is the same by having your professional standards at an even different level.
Patricia Scales
Hi Tammi,
You are definitley on point! The student/teacher relationship should be strictly business.
Patricia Scales
Hi Tracey,
I agree! We need to lead by example, and be the professional that we want our students to become.
Patricia Scales
It is important to maintain a professional distance from students for many reasons. As stated, it is an important part of class management and is therefore necessary in order to not blur the student/ teacher boundary. As an instructor although it is good to relate to students on a level they understand, it is always necessary to be professional. Students should know at all times that they will be respected and that respect goes both ways. Exhibiting a professional image creates a comfortable learning atmosphere that permits optimal learning.
