When other instructors "hang out" for smoke breaks and lunch breaks with students and it becomes the norm, then an instructor, such as myself, that doesn't "hang out", is perceived as "unapproachable" or "snooty". As the only female instructor at an automotive school (I teach business courses), how should I overcome this criticism which also can create class management issues?
It helps students to respect you. That's the goal for the course is to earn their respect as a great educator.
Maintaining a professional image is very important. Instructor is not a friend to the students. Yes, instructor should be friendly and professional,I would say more bussiness like person. This kind of behaviour create the frame or structure of relationships with students and most helpfull and effective for students and instructor.
Hi Annmarie,
I agree 100%. We should certainly be the professional that we want our students to become.
Patricia Scales
Maintaining a professional image will help the students feel secure in the belief that they will recieve the information needed to further pursue thier goals
It is important to not only display a professional image as an instructor, but also to display the image that you expect the students to display in the profession they are being taught. Getting too friendly will cause the instructor to lose their credibility as a professional.
I agree, there is a line that should never be crossed between instructor and student. An instructor must remain cordially professional at all times. The moment you allow a student to push across that line, you have lost control. The consequence may not be immediate, but there will be a consequence.
Maintaining a professional image will help get you good repport from your students and teach them that having a professional image is important to a good long career. You are the instructor and part of your job is to teach the students professionalism. One of the ways to teach is to lead by example
Friends don't disapline friends. I am not here to be a friend but to instructor them in a skill. We can be cordial, but being friends breeds a familiarity that could cause problems with other students, namely favoritism. An Instructor should always keep a cordial but professional relationship.
Hi Gashaw,
I agree, and instuctors should not let students cross the line either.
Patricia Scales
Hi Bronzel,
You are on point! The student/instructor relationship should be kept professional at all times.
Patricia Scales
Having some distance between you and your students is a must. Teachers should not cross the those boundries to avoids potential pit-fall
to maintain respect between instructors and students
Maintaining a professional distance from students is a very important part of class management for various reason. Teachers or instructor who befriend students sometime loses their professional edge. Students will sometime push the boundaries if they know the instructor or teacher favors them more than others.
Hi Diana,
Students do not like it when the instructor displays favoritism. Treat every student the same!
Patricia Scales
Hi Jennifer,
It is easy, treat all students the same. Students frown upon favoritism.
Patricia Scales
Hi Jennifer,
I concur! Our students do not need another friend. They need role models.
Patricia Scales
I love to dress up always. I feel it is very important in life to dress to the occasion. students are impressionable
It show you are in charge and gains respect
I encourage my student to maintain a professional attitude and appearance wherever they are. Perhaps a quick trip to the grocery or just taking out the trash can in your own neighborhood.
