Hi Shelly,
Great response! Your thought process is definitely on point! It is a difference between friends/friendly. It is okay to be friendly and personable (to a certain degree), but you have to know where to cut both off.
Patricia Scales
Hi Sandra,
That's right! Students need role models to look up to. They do not need another friend.
Patricia Scales
Hi Alma,
I concur! Professionalism is a must! Lead by example.
Patricia Scales
To maintain instructor's dignity and respect.
If an Instructor maintains a professional distance from students, the students will take the Instructor and the course seriously. The students will respect the Instructor, too.
We have to make sure we learn and provide empathy and not sympathy to our students. This can be real touchy subject if this is not done correctly.
You must maintain a professional distance from students because there may come a time that you have to enforce rules and keeping that distance makes this easier on everyone. I don't think that means that you can't be friendly with the class. Many of my students discuss things that are happing in their personal lives with me. For example, in a recent class a student had just became a grandparent and was eager to show me photos of the new grandson. I like that they feel they can come talk to me because they will be more likely to approach me if they are having problems in the class. I do care how my students are doing and am willing to help them in any way I can to succeed. I will agree that we do have to draw a line of how close we can come to our students. Becoming to close could make it difficult to enforce rules properly or could lead to discussion of other students in the class which cannot happen.
Maintaing a professional image to the students is very important. You need to be the students role model and mentor - not their friend!
You should always maintain a professional image in and out the classroom at all times.
Hi Michael,
I have learned that if students doubt the instructor's knowledge base, they may doubt their proficiency as well.
Patricia Scales
It's important for students to know that the instructor is a knowledgeable, competent professional. For that reason, instructors need to maintain their legitimate authority in the classroom. After all, the instructor is responsible for presenting the material in a way that is accessible to the students and giving accurate feedback on student assignments.
If the students doubt the instructor's authority, they may doubt their competence and that may affect how well they learn the material.
Hi Danielle,
The instructor/student relationship should be all about business. Students are not looking for another friend, they really need a role model to look up to.
Patricia Scales
Hi Alan,
We need to lead by example at all times.
Patricia Scales
Hi Cynthia,
You are on point! Instructors need to always carry themselves in such a way so that students give them the ultimate respect.
Patricia Scales
Hi Gina,
I concur! We need to dress professional and have a professional image overall so that students will have someone to emulate.
Patricia Scales
I feel that maintaining a professional distance from the students is very important because it keeps them in place where they see you as a instructor and not as a friend because once they have that in their mind that you are a friend they loose that respect for you as a instructor and there for makes it hard to manage the class. Because you no longer have that control or respect.
I believe that it is important to maintain a professional image so that the students will see you as organized, and therefore will hopefully begin to respect you. A professional image will also help the students draw a line between being your student vesus being your friend.
In our particular field modeling professionalism, accountability etc to students is vital, and keeping a healthy distance commands respect
When you become to personal with the students I think they feel like the can push the boundaries more. YOu are there to teach and help them.
Maintaining a professional boundary is vital to establishing respect versus like. If I am professional, my students will respect me and my decisions. If I cross that boundary, they begin to like me and consider me a peer. I loose their respect and they no longer approach their education the same way. Instead, they question the instructor, challenge their authority, and act immaturely when the instruct corrects or reprimands them because "I thought you were my friend","You hurt my feelings", and "I thought i was your favorite".
