The students usually look up to instructors so being professional reinfornces positive behavior patterns
Hi HAROLD,
Actually I love your perspective and professionalism. Educators should emulate your ways, and we all will serve as better role models for our students. This is the way educators were back in the day. We need to go back to some of these old ways so that students will have someone to look up to.
Patricia Scales
Hi Shanika,
I concur! The student/instructor relationship should be strictly professional. We as educators must lead by example.
Patricia Scales
I think that maintaining a professional distance in the classroom helps to keep up the level of respect that students show to an instructor. Once students become too comfortable discussing personal issues with their instructors, the respect and professionalism in the classroom begins to decline.
At all times, I maintain a professional image. I do not wear a suit to classes, but I wear a tie and a long sleeve shirt under my lab coat. I enter my class early, and I get out my supplies before the students arrive. In this way, I will be in constant control of my class. I will not have to leave my class to get supplies. I am very serious when I am dealing with my students. I do not mingle, joke with, or fratinize with my students. Some students will tell me to 'lighten up' Mr. Haynes. I usually tell that I lighten up on Friday from 4:30 pm to Monday 8:59am.
Hi Sherry,
I love your perspective! Professionalism is key, and yes, we should treat everyone the same so that we are fair.
Patricia Scales
I keep a professional distance for respect in the classroom. I think Instructor should always keep program conduct with there students no personal should ever be involved students talk and if you become involved other than professional it will be passed on to your next set of students and you will have a hard time recovering . Treat everyone professional and keep it fair.
Hi Karen,
You have it! Your perspective is right on point! We have to let our students know that we genuinely care about them, but we still expect nothing but the best from the.
Patricia Scales
As an instructor, you set the stage in your classroom. It begins with how you look, act, interact, how you share your knowledge, building teamwork, respect and rapport between students. Most importantly being fair. Students also need to know that you care about them, before they care what you know! By keeping your distance and not being their friends, you teach them what being a professional is all about. My job is not to enable them. My role is (sort of) like being the parent. I want their respect, let them know I care, am always fair and willing to help. With that said, there is no time for them to take advantage. It took a lot of years to get to this point. I seemed to make many mistakes in the beginning. In the end I learned a lot too!
As an instructor, you set the stage in your classroom. It begins with how you look, act, interact, how you share your knowledge, building teamwork, respect and rapport between students. Most importantly being fair. Students also need to know that you care about them, before they care what you know! By keeping your distance and not being their friends, you teach them what being a professional is all about. My job is not to enable them. My role is (sort of) like being the parent. I want their respect, let them know I care, am always fair and willing to help. With that said, there is no time for them to take advantage. It took a lot of years to get to this point. I seemed to make many mistakes in the beginning. In the end I learned a lot too!
Hi David,
You have it! We need to be professionals for our students and not their friend. Our students are in dire need of role models.
Patricia Scales
The instructor must be "looked up to". This person must be respected but approachable. If students see the instructor as a friend, the student may be expecting liency when it comes to their performance in the classroom.
I am there to teach them in the course on instruction. They are paying for it. I arrive early and am ready for the topics.
Students should maintain a high level of respect for an instructor and they should be viewed as an example of how the student performs after he or she leaves your class. If you are not acting in a professional manner students will feel as though you are not an authority figure.
It is important to set some kind of boundary on day one.
If we as educators expect our students to act professional in the classroom we must fulfill our obligations in this respect as well.
Hi Tracey,
Instructors like to and need to be respected. Respect is something that is earned; demanding respect does not work well.
Patricia Scales
You will gain respect as an instructor and prevent some students from seeing the instructor as showing favoritism to others.
I have seen numerous new instructors spend time trying to be one of the guys or be thought of as cool with the students. They take smoke breaks together and talk about motorcycles etc. These are many of the same instructors that are struggling with classroom control and inattentive students.
Maintaining a professional image is integral to getting respect from the students. If you are unprofessional, the students will not respect you and they may try to take advantage of you. In addition, you are a role model and a mentor for the students. Your goal is to raise the bar and help them to archive their full potential in college and in the workplace.
Professional distance from student is important because creates an environment for mutual respect
