I believe that maintaining a professional distance is important in the classroom. If you try to become close to your students and become "buddies" with them, the students will run the class and the management will be gone. When I was a new instructor I did fall into this trap and I found out how to deal with by the help of other instructors. Other instructors will help you if you need help with classroom management. Now, I do run my class with more control. I now have a professional image and the appropriate soft skills that help keeps my classroom management under control.
I have to admit this is a problem I have really tried to keep minimal. I am very close in age if not younger than 90% of my students, therefore I have quite a bit in common with them. One thing I have learned is I do not disclose my age to my class, even if they express the buring desire to know. On the first day of class we discuss their expecations of class, themselves and of me. Then I let them know my expectations, and one I stress is professionalism and all that it encompasses.
it is very important that students take you seriously and belive you have knowledge and skill to share with them. One way to do that is follow your own rules. Come to class on time, be organized and prepared. Sharing good news is good, but don't be friendly with the students,you want them to respect you, not just like you.
CPR is great this saying I willuse often
Hi Heinz,
I agree! Students do not need another buddy. They need a role model.
Patricia Scales
Hi Rosy,
This will always be the case where you have students to perform at different levels, but as a professional you must treat everyone the same, otherwise the favortisim card will be played, which is not good.
Patricia Scales
Students are not buddies and an instuctor must display professionalism at all times.
I agree with Shawn, all the students should be treated the same way. It is hard to at times when some are on the ball and are exemplary and others slack and misbehave. Regardless, it's best to have everyone's respect.
Hi Amanda,
Awesome response! You are definitely on point. I can tell you are a super role model for your students. Continue to lead by example. Our students need great role models, such as yourself.
Patricia Scales
A professional image is essential to be able to reach the class effectively. Professionalism comes from verbal and non verbal communications with the student. Leading by example is the best way to show the student how they should behave in a professional setting. Be responsive to the needs of the class and maintaining a level disposition in challenging situations. Keeping a professional distance is key so that the boundries and lines of the student/teacher relationship are always clear. You can have concern for the student but not get personally involved. Once an instructor gets 'involved' then the student feels that the rules may or may not apply to them since there is a personal relationship. If other students see this change in expection or behavior, then the moral and management of the class may be strained or compromised.
When I hired into an medical instruction environment, I was asked to wear scrubs to work and lecture in the classrooms. Although instructor scrubs are different colors from the student scrubs, the students saw instructors as peers and had very little respect for class rules or the instructors as authority figures. When I switched to professional business suits, the whole atmosphere of the classroom changed for the better. Suddenly, I was the leader with something valuable to give; they were the followers in pursuit of knowledge.
To be seen as fair and unbiased you must treat all students equally and to be seen by the students to do this. You must avoid the look of bias by keeping a distance with all students even ones you may have a friendly rapport with.
As an instructor, you are seen as an authority figure, and as such you must maintain a certain professional distance from the students so that there are no misleading or misunderstood actions between you and the student. In the classroom you must be the one in control, and if you cannot maintain this control in a professional manner, all could be lost.
Hi Shantel,
Wow, I love your outlook when it comes to professionalism. I can tell you lead by example. Continue being the great role model you are for our future professionals.
Patricia Scales
It very important to remain professional and not get too involved with your students. You are not their friends and if they end up not doing well - it it harder to evaluate them if you are too friendly.
yes you do not want any student thinking you are there personl friend therefore you must keep the relationship professional.
I like the idea of smiling generously. This shows confidence, even if you don't feel it. It is reflected back to you by the students also.
One o the reason to be professional is to gain the respect of the student this is why I always wear a suit to class.
Hi Julia,
Relationsip building is extremely important in education, but we must remember to treat ALL students the same. Consistency/fairness are key.
Patricia Scales
As instructors we do need to earn the students' respect in order to be effective teachers. Juanito Malana's "CPR" advice to students also applies to maintaining an instructor's professional immage:
1. Be courteous. Wear a smile genrously. Often studets feel intimidated by their instructors. The instructor should inspire the students to achieve their goals and be firm about the method of how to reach those goals. The instructor is the captain of the ship.
2. Be Professional at all times. Dress properly. Wearing an outfit that shows clevege or that is too short is not appropreate for an instructor even though it may be a business suit. If a scrub has a deep v-neck, an under shirt should be worn with it. If one is a clinic instructor the hair should be worn up and back and tidy. Fashionable accessories such as feathers in the hair, nose rings, and tongue rings should not be a part of an insturctor's dress for work. Present yourself neatly from head to toe.
3. Be Respectful. Conduct yourself confidently but avoid the apperence of arrogance. Plan and be well prepared for the subject matter that you are teaching.
