Maintaining a professional distance from students is important for several reasons. One reason to ensure you do not become too close to your students is to ensure the line of who is in charge does not become blurred. When instructors become too close to their students, many times students will begin to push the boundaries to see what they can get away with, since they no longer view the instructor as being in charge of the class.
We are not there to be the student's friend. It is important to keep the relationship professional. Conflict of interest comes into play when the professional boundary lines are crossed.
It is important that students do not feel there are favorites in the class. If a friendship occurs, it could be viewed as favortism.
Maintaing a professional distance from students creates a professional relationship and establishes boundaries with the students. It also establishes the framework for the student to respect the instructor.
Maintaining a professional distance is also imperitive in order to make sure rules and code of conduct is followed. When students regard the instructor as a "friend" instead of a "manager", they tend to become less aware of following rules.
Hi Curtis,
Absolutely! Students frown upon favoritism! Treat every student the same.
Patricia Scales
It is very important to keep a professional relationship with students so someone does not think you are playing favorites in any class.
I believe that through respect and establishing a rapport with students professional friendships can be formed. Again, the key is keeping it professional while they are a student. Talking about personal issues sometimes is necessary to understand a student's situation, anxiety, or current problems. Sometimes sharing personal experiences with students helps them realize that others have gone through what they are going through, especially the non-traditional students. Developing these professional friendships does not show favortism nor does it negatively impact class management, in my opinion.
It is very important for an instructor to set the standard in appearance and demeanor. If we as instructors do not set the standard there is no guideline for the students to emulate or have as an example of professionals in their area of study.
Maintainging a professional boundary is important because being overly friendly with students can jeopardize an instructors career. Student who think their instructor is their friend may expect special favors like extention on deadlines.
the other students will notice if another student seems to have an unfair advantage because they appear to be your friend. even if thats not the case.the instructor needs to keep separation. daa
it is important to maintained a margin from your students, but also let them know that your are there to help them become the best they can be withou getting personal.
The distance allows me to maintain a professional image and prevents students asking favors from me. Also demonstrates that I don't use favoritism to grade my students.
Hi Renata,
I concur! We should be the professionals that we want our students to become.
Patricia Scales
Hi Leslie,
I agree! It is okay to be friendly to your students but do not befriend them. Befriending students is way too risky.
Patricia Scales
It upholds the standard of professional interaction between teachers and students
If you don't maintain a professional distance I find that the students eventually lose respect for you. In the end, the instuctors that require and expect the most of their students, benefit them the most and earn the greatest respect.
While I agree on the above mentioned points of staying professional, caring for students while keeping distance, I sometimes have a hard time not favoring anyone. I had this student that gave me "an attitude" constantly. I noticed that I started to avoid walking up to that student to help/check on her, like I did with all the others. Because I did not want to let it continue like that, I decided, that I needed to change something fast! When I sat down with her one-on-one and asked her, that I noticed some tension between us, and I wanted to know, if I had done something wrong, she said "no". She told me "no" as well when I asked her, if she needed any help with the covered material. I encouraged her to find me, if she had any questions as well. From that point on she was like a different person and still is. Apparently she just needed to be made aware, that she was watched. I am glad, that it turned out that way!
Because it tells thev students they are being treated equally.
It is important to maintain a prfessional distance is becasue it will help the students know what your boundaries are. If you are too friendly with students then the favorism part may come up.
