I feel maintining a professional distance from students is super important because if we don't we will lose respect from our students. As the video from stanford said, students want someone to look up to and give them direction. If we don't maintain that professional boundary then they won't take us seriously.
If you become too friendly, the student may take advantage of you.
Hi Richard,
I agree! Way too risky whenever instructors become students friends. Termination is certainly a possibility.
Patricia Scales
Hi Ursula,
I concur! We as instructors should set boundaries for ourselves as well. We should not get too close to students. The closesness will cause the students to think more of a personal relationship with the instructor.
Patricia Scales
The teacher/student relationship begins to break down when an instructor does not maintain a professional distance. The student loses a certain amount of respect for the instructor and that creates a shift in the student's ability or willingness to learn from that instructor.
To maintain a professional distance from your students helps to ensure order in the classroom. It doesn't mean an instructor can't be friendly. But the instructor cannot be a friend. To lose sight of the difference can cause a breakdown in the student/instructor relationship. When this happens, the learning adventure is compromised for the students and the instructor.
Hi Katrena,
Instructors need to take their dress levels above students. Instructors should be dressed professionally and conservatively every day.
Patricia Scales
Hi David,
I concur! We as instructors need to lead by example! We are some of our students only role model.
Patricia Scales
I agree. I often see instructors wearing inappropiate clothing to work--low cut, too short and too risky for a professional look. I inform my students that I am here to teach, I have friends already.
In any class setting, whether adult students or younger students, it is imperative that the instructor maintain a professional distance in order to manage the class effectively. If an instructor is considered a pal or another student, his or her professionalism will be challenged.
I think that an instructor is, first and foremost a role model for the class. Not only by their knowledge and ability in their specific subject, but in the way the class environment is to be experienced. Poor attitude, appearance, focuses set the bar for the student. Of course, everyone is human. By allowing the students to experience too many of one’s personal flaws could downgrade the instructor in their eyes.
Hi Polly,
I concur! Boundaries have to be established, and they must know that you are in control. Befriending students is definitely a no no!!
Patricia Scales
Maintaining a professional Image with students requires the teacher to be knowledgeable about his field of expertise, be a good listener,treat others the way you want to be treated, show respect, and always keep your boundaries in tact.
I agree, You have to be the instructor, not their friend, or they won't respect you. It is a lot like being a parent. It doesn't work to well if you are always trying to "be their buddy". It is hard to discipline and have order.
respecting people's personal space is a good thing to establish from the start. in return they will respect yours.
As an Allied Health Professional, it is unethical to have a relationship with a patient that is anything less than professional is unethical. To be an educator in Allied Health, the same principle would apply. Students need my experience not my friendship.
Maintaining a professional distance is important because instructor and students are on different levels. when the instructor becomes unprofessional they can lose control and respect of their students.
Maintaining a professional image helps to create a positive image and makes the student respect you as a teacher so in return students will focus on the lecture and not what they think you know.
The student wants an instructor, not a friend. This is similar to parenting. The child wants a parent not a buddy.
It is important to maintain the teacher-student relationship because you can gain more respect to other students and it will eliminate barriers when teaching
