This statement is why I have brought up the issue of instuctors having to wear the same scrubs as the students in the program I teach. In some instances I have felt less respect from students because I blend in with them.
Maintaining a professional distance is important in the context of maintaining the student/instructor relationship. The relationship should be built on trust and respect. In the line is crossed, expectations become unclear and the effect can be a downward spiral that can create problems on several different levels.
We are there to be role models. not the students friends. Although I like to know whats going on with my students, I feel they can come to me with a problem, I make sure to remain professional. When they look at me I want them to see someone that they respect, I also want them to bee excited to work in the field because I give them the passion in class to work hard.
If we don't maintain the professional image the student will not take us seriously. Our role as an instructor is to deliver the content of the course in a manner where it could be knowledgable and fruitful in the student's life. For example a student teaching another student the technique of holding the needle would not be taken seriously. Because he/she is a fellow student and he's just demonstrating. However when the instructor demonstrates the same procedure all the eyes would be on his demonstration because they know that this is coming out from skilled person.
By allowing yourself to become close to your students personally you compromise the integrity of the student instructor relationship and you are not able to objectively evaluate a students achievment of the course objetives.
You must draw a clear line between how instructors act inside and outside of the classroom. Plus friendship within an educational system that has a hierarchy can be especially problematic in that way. Teachers are held in special regard in the classroom, and human beings can and will feel jealousy toward other people’s relationships with the teacher. You don't want to give the wrong impression to students or create a setting where favoritism could potentially be an issue.
Hi Eric,
I agree! Students should always look at you as the authoritarian. If they look at you as a friend, they are going to expect preferential treatment.
Patricia Scales
Hi Dr. Enrique,
I am friendly with my students, but I do not befriend them so that they know there are boundaries.
Patricia Scales
Students are to percieve you as an expert in the field and a professional, not a peer. As soon as students start to look at you as a peer you lose aspects of credibility as an instructor.
it allows you to stand ground as the head of the class and have their respect, but also you should shows a interest in them and be a Friend within the school system, it will allow them to be open to you
Students should respect you, a professional distance will do this, it is ok for them to feel comfortable but only on a student instructor level
Being a good instructor does not require that you befriend students. Be professional and friendly but keep your personal life...personal.
Maintaining a professional distance is very important in class management because this is the only way to assure respect throughout the course. Getting too "chummy" with students could lead to ambiguous student and instructor relationships.
They respect you more if you are friendly and approachable but maintain a level of separation and professionalism.
Hi Mia,
It is simple, the student/instructor relationship should be "Strictly Business".
Patricia Scales
Maintaining a professional distance from students is important. When the lime between instructor and friend becomes blurred there can be serious consequences when grading issued come up. "How can you give me such a low grade? I thought we were friends?". It is important to avoid this scenario.
It is important in order to gain student respect.
I believe that you dont want to be an authoritarian figure but you do want to appear to be human. You do want them to see you on a pedesatl so they have something to strive for. if you get too close with them you essentially level the playing field and they loose their goal often times. Also if they see you as a friend you end up having behavior issues with certain students.
This is a very personal topic for me. Let's just say I've taken some hard knocks with this lesson! In doing so, I have learned that maintaining a little distance helps to lessen confusion about student roles and instructor roles in the class. Students would think that because I was a "friend", I would grade them easier and let me get away with things they were doing in the course. Then when it was time for me to have conferences and do written warnings, feelings were hurt. I also saw how that line became blurred when a former superior I had had so e of her subordinates as friends and they reported her to her supervisor; it cost her her job!
That being said, these relationships help to reduce confusion for everyone. When in a position of authority, you must lead--not join. I once had a supervisor that told m e that my peers may tho k they want to be in management, but they really don't. It's a lonely and thankless job! There's some truth to that!
It keeps the level of respect to a constant. A student may loose some level of professional respect for you and your job as an educator if you become friends with them.
