I think some instructors think that if they are liked by the students then that makes them good instructors. But i've fount that students are not her to make friends, they want us to teach and when you cross that line you are not only setting yourself up for trouble but you are also setting the students up for failure. There is a very thin line between being a good instructor and caring for you students well being to being their friend and winning the instructor popularity contest. We are in our position to change their lives and give them the skill they need to be successful.
Maintaining a professional distance from students is an important part of class management because there is a fine line between building respect and building a rapport. Since respect can so easily be diminished and even lost, it should a be the one maintained at all times.
Students need to understand that you care about them and are interested in them; however, you still need to be viewed as an instructor, and not as their friend. Being overly friendly with students can create unforseen problems down the road--it is sometimes difficult to maintain the professional distance that is needed, as many students are adults and have had similar life experiences with the instructor.
LOSING YOUR PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTS HINDERS THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN
It allows students to develope respect for you as a professional
It is important to project an approchable image but personal information is off limits. Never discuss personal info with the class unless it is relevant to the curriculum discussion.
I think that establishing a professional image will ultimately help with respect. The students want an instructor who is professional and knowlegdable in the field in which they are being taught.
We should set the example of our profession. Lead by example and dempmstrate a REAL WORLD approach to success.
Maintaining the professional distance must be tempered with being friendly with the students. The professional distance establishes the authority for the class but being friendly establishes communication that you need to ensure students learn what they need to. The line can move minute to minute but if you stay on top of situations as they occur, you can determine which way to go at the moment. It can be difficult to make the correct call if you do not pay attention to what is going on.
Maintaining a professional image is every thing students not only expect us to look the part, act the part but the way we present ourselves at all times even when no one is around speaks volumes. Students will have a greater respect for us when they enter our classroom for the first time based on what past students have told them and what they have seen when we interact with our peers and other students.
In order to properly serve students it is important to be objective and act in their best interest. This is best accomplished by maintaining a professional relationship with students. A professional image doesn't uncaring or unapproachable, but in all matters remain focused on the primary relationship of instructor and student. Relate issues to the course and how the student will be successful.
Staying professional keeps the rapport and respect with your students. If you break that boundary it is very hard to get it back. When I first started I got all of these Facebook requests. When we had a discussion in class in regards to why I did not "Friend" them it was very eye opening for them as well for me. I believe you can have compassion while still be professional and keeping respect.
So that the students dont take advantage of you.
It is very easy, especially for Instructors who want to be liked by their students, to get close to them in a variety of ways. As an Instructor, you are not there to be their friend! Of course, it is nice to develop rapport and amintain positive, healthy relationships with students, but if you cross the line to become a "friend," you run the risk of having the reputation of playing favorites, or even worse, career liability.
I feel maintaining a professional image to students is crutial to being their mentor. Your behavior as an instructor is providing professional feedback to a student. You can win a student's respect instantaneously, particularly in how you handle stressful situations either with grace and professionalism or at the same time loose that student's respect instantaneously by handling a stressful situation in a very poor manner.
It is important to mataintain a professional distance from students because if we be-friend them in some ways I think they lose some respect for us. Meaning, they start to treat us like a friend and not like a teacher. This means they may begin thinking it is arlight to come to class late, to not turn in work, etc.
We need to be supportive but at the same time keep a safe distance.
The inherent power differential needs to be maintained in the teacher/student relationship for the greatest benefit from the relationship to be maximized for the student.
Familiarity breeds content. You cannot be an effective educator and a friend to students because they are 2 distinct roles that can't be managed successfully.
It is always great to keep a professional image, becoming the students "Friend", takes away from the learning and its more like we are buddies instead of mentors in the field. Grading and classroom management is perceived differently and other students could see the closeness and think grades and judgement of others are seen as unfair, exchanging of phone numbers or facebook should never get started its crossing a professional/personal line.
Hi Deb,
I agree! Students are not in need of another friend. They need role models that they can look up to.
Patricia Scales
