We are their role models, so if we want students to be professional - we must be professional.
Students look at their instructor as their first professional influence into their new field of practice.
Some students will emulate exactly what they see from their instructor, or some will you the instructor as a guide. How or what way the instructor portrays themselves in the classroom is a copy of how the student may choose to portray themselves in the real world. Either way, the professionalism starts in the classroom setting.
Because of this, it is the instructors responsibility to maintain decorum, and a sense of space between the "student-teacher" relationship. This means not becoming too "friendly" but also not being the "friend" the student needs.
Hi Kenneth,
I definitely feel the same way as you do! Respect goes a lot farther than being liked. We are not in the business to win a popularity contest. Let's educate!
Patricia Scales
Hi Alvin,
Awesome response! You are definitely on point. The student/instructor relationship should be strictly business.
Patricia Scales
Maintaining a professionl image prompts a professional respect level for the instructor. By dressing professional and carrying themself as a professional the students will respect the instructor. It is best to be respected rather than liked. I have found in my years of teaching that respect is more efficient to obtain your goals for the class. If they respect you they will learn for they know that you are a professional and you mean buisness. A "likeable" teacher does not get the accomplishments as a respected teacher.
Students will model instructor behavior when it comes to professional interactions. If the instructor models appropriate professional relationships, students will learn to create those relationships in the workplace. The opposite is also true, and can create numerous future problems for the student.
Instructors who get too close to students run the risk of losing their objective view of the student and put themselves at risk of losing the respect of the students they become too close to and other students who see this happening...not to mention what the instuctor's boss and peers may be dreaming up in their heads. You are paid to do a job- do it and take your personal time for developing relationships with others.
Hi Mohammed,
I concur! As an instrutor we should certainly not let students invade our personal space. The student/instructor relationship should be strictly professional.
Patricia Scales
I think it is very important to keep a learning distance from students, i am asked sometimes to be added for facebook ,but i refuse , i believe that a student should maintain respect for his instructor ,the more closer the student is they will want to cross the line and then ask for more & try to get closer where they lose the aim for studying & take things personal.
Hi Emily,
Well stated! I concur! Favortisim is really frowned upon. It is easy, treat ALL students the same.
Patricia Scales
You set the standard for your students to follow and hopefully take with them into the field. If you act in a professional manner, the students will respect your behavior.
Because in our open society our students want to be our friend or they may want to be more than friends which can interfere with the teacher student relationship favoritism and influencing grades. By keeping and maintaining professional distance this prevents these types of situations from occurring inside the classroom and out.
Hi Steven,
Great response! The instructor should act as a professional at all times, and lead by example. The student/instructor relationship should be strictly professional.
Patricia Scales
Maintaining a professional distance from students is essential in teaching by example. By becoming "buddies" with the students, we set up false expectations of what the working world will be like for them. Also, this behavior can lead to some of the students feeling as though the instructor has "favorites," which can lead to friction within the classroom.
Depending how many courses you are teaching, even if it is only one, transference can be dangerous. I believe it takes away from the integrity of the class. Maintaining professional distance allows the students to understand your primary role as their instructor, be a leader and to manage one's personal and professional life with grace. We are role models at all times, in and out of the classroom and I believe that getting too personal with the students can actually minimize the students' respect for you. Rapport building is different. Building rapport can be helpful and is necessary but needs to be managed very carefully.
By maintaining your professional distance, students will see you as a role model to follow, as the one that they can reach for advise and will maintain a respectul environment in both directions.
This is a very good concept. Thanks!
The students need to see the instructor as a professional person, and look up to him/her as a guide. As a professional the instructor can lead the students instead of a dominant student leading the class. It is also not professionally ethical for an instructor to be friends with students outside of class.
I think if the teacher were to overstep the student teacher relationship it would cause more trouble than its worth . If anything negative came from it the teacher part of the equation would be permanently compromised . I would think there would be a point of no return . Even worse if students were aware of the issue .
Hi Destiny,
The student/teacher relationship should be kept strictly professional to avoid any problems.
Patricia Scales
