Hi Travis,
I agree! The instructor is the role model and definitely should lead by example.
Patricia Scales
Hi Chris,
I agree! All institutions should have a no fraternization policy in place and strictly enforced.
Patricia Scales
professional distance is a must with your students. You are the instructor and they are your students. It keeps things simple and not complicated. you are in a leadership role and it is your responsibilty for the students to know that thier is a line that must not be crossed.
So that the student is aware that they cannot get to personal with the professor and take the professor seriously
To be able to maintain a sense of respect and promote student compliance. If they do not recognize me as an respected authority figure of sorts, how can I expect them to comply with my demands upon them as students. I also represent who they will be working for in the future, so it sets them up for understanding the employee/boss relationship.
I feel that distance in the classroom is the same as distance in the work place. As a manager, maintaining distance helps to keep the 'correct perspective' about the manager/staff relationship. The same rings true in the classroom. Keep the relationship professional and cordial.
Given we are talking about ONLY appropriate interactions - it is best to maintain a professional distance because it detracts from the learning process and places the learning experience in jeopardy for the student.
I believe by show professionalism toward your students shows them that they must strive to meet the standards pf their instructor. In addition, the instructor must speak well, dress appropriate and get the class involved in discussions.
If a proffesional distance is not kept it is only a matter of time until trouble follows. When a student thinks that there is a friendship they are expecting favors. If something happens in class that does not go the students way they can become vendictive. This opens up the company to lawsuits. A no fraternization rule is a must.
Simply because to retain respect with the students one must show professionalism.
Hi Mary,
Absolutely, lead by example, and always let your students know that you are there for them.
Patricia Scales
What I try to do is show t I am that instructor,and that I am here to teach and support them in their new course.
Hi John,
Great way to train students while they are in school that the boss/employee and student/instructor relationships should be strictly professional in nature.
Patricia Scales
Hi Mary,
I concur! Students need role models to look up to. They have enough friends.
Patricia Scales
I like to think of it the way I think of my children, I can't be their friend because I also have to discipline them. The same for my students, sometimes I need to step in as an authority figure adn that only works if I have some professional distance.
Maintaining professional distance is important for me because I am preparing my students to be professionals. I tell me students the very first day of class that in most professional settings your boss is not your friend. There are guidelines and barriers that are not to be crossed. It is not a power trip or an ego booster, but I tell me students to view me as a boss in a professional work environment. I believe that this prepares students to make a smooth transition from school to a workplace. It also shows them what is and is not acceptable in a more controlled environment when then can get feedback from other students.
I beleive that students lose respect for their instructor, because feel that you are their friend there for they don't need to pay attention because you well give them their grade anyway.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
You must maintain a distance from the students or you will compromise professionalism.
Maintaining a professional distance encourages respect from students.
Students who view the instructor as a peer is less likely to do what is appropriate within the college experience.
