Teaching is a profession. It's important to be early and prepared for class, properly groomed and dressed, give guidelines so that the students know proper classroom behavior and have a "roadmap" for what they will learn in the course!
An instructor cannot perform all the requirements of his/her position if they maintain a personal relationship with the students. Fraternization with one's students is a dangerous path to follow.
Just as an effective parent is not friends with their children, an instructor cannot be friends with the students. It is very difficult to discipline, assess and instruct in an unbiased manner (whether real or perceived) if an instructor fraternizes with students.
Professionalism is the key to success class management and leadership.
Hi Lloyd,
I like to serve as a role model for my students, and I do this through appearance and action.
Patricia Scales
To insure all students are treated fairly and feel valued as a class
It is important to ensure that it is not too personal and there is a professional boundary.
It is an important part of class management because it sets the tone for the classroom. As educators we are not the students friends we have to be able to maintain control.
Hi Kathleen,
Well stated! You have it! Lead by example; practice what you preach! Our students need role models.
Patricia Scales
It helps to ensure that your students willrespect you and therefore pay attention to you and follow your instructions. If they see your as a peer, they will be less inclined to follow your directions and therefore lose out on the education process. They also want to see you as someone they are striving to be in their careers. People often do as they see, not as they are told, so you want to emulate the charactaristics you are trying to teach them.
BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LEADER
Because if you don't you are showing your students they don't have to be either.
Hi Ida Romelle,
Absolutely! Each person has a a role. The role of the instructor is to lead by example in all areas, and the role of the student is to follow the instructor's lead.
Patricia Scales
There should always be a distinction between instructor and student .It is about our professionalism ,our competence to carry out the main goal for the course.This is where we gain the respect of our students and we become effective as instructors.
It is important to keep personal issues outside of the classroom so students don't feel like they are there to be a source to vent other frustrations. Plus, it allows the students to have a respectable image of the professor remain in their minds. Students would love to hear a professor's life story if they really like the professor, but many things students don't need to know about the professor's life.
There is a difference between being freindly to your students and being friends with your students. Being freinds is not in the instructor's best interest. This is an important part of class management because it makes it difficult to be the professional role model and disiplinary instructor that each student needs.
I think that professional distance is an important part of management because I'm still the teacher.
I want to be there for them, I want to listen to their ups and downs, but in the end I teach, grade, and provide them with an education.
If I get to close to my students then that line gets blurred...and at times it might even hurt someone's feelings. That's not cool.
I feel that if you get too Chummy with certain students it can take away from other students. It can make them feel left out and that you are showing favoritism. It can be very unhealthy for you as well as the classroom.
Hi Pauletta,
You have it! I can tell just from your response that you are extremely professional, and you practice what you preach. I am sure your students have great respect for you.
Patricia Scales
An instructor should set boundaries with students that should not be crossed. Instructors have a fiduciary duty to maintain professional standards of conduct while providing the best instruction and educational experience to students. Maintaining a professional distance from students will prevent unwanted perceptions of favoritism.
Hi Georgina,
That's right1 Students really need to see us as role models not friends. Our students need people in their lives that are going to help put them on the right path. Practice what you preach and be the role model that you want your students to become.
Patricia Scales
It is important for Instructors to maintain a professional distance from students as not to confuse them. We are not the students friends but their guide who has a leadership role in the classroom.
