I'm talking about friendship wise. I mean...when do you know when too close is really too close. I mean if they start giving you gifts and calling you a friend is that too close?
2006-12-16 09:00:02 · 11 answers · asked by DreamfullAngel 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Yes its too close and disturbing, i mean why can't the teacher find someone his or her age, instead of being with a young one.How sad.
2006-12-16 12:14:32 · answer #1 · answered by Jimmy 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
It depends on the gifts and the age of the student. My 3rd graders love to give me gifts- they're usually drawings or toys from Happy Meals (stuff they'd want for themselves). They also tell me they love me and consider me their friend. I get invited to countless birthday parties and ball games. It's harmless.
If they're buying you expensive personal gifts and not taking you seriously as their teacher, then it's a problem. If this is happening to you as a teacher, talk to an older teacher to see if your particular situation would be deemed inappropriate by most standards. If you're a student who considers your teacher a friend, you're a sweetheart. Buy your teacher a gift for Christmas and possibly at the end of the year, and leave it at that. Jeopardizing your teacher's position in the school by becoming overly friendly is not, even with good intentions, a friendly gesture.
2006-12-17 02:01:56 · answer #2 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
having been in education for 38 years (as an elementary school teacher and then, principal), the advice i'm going to offer is what i present to each group of beginning teachers when they com on board at the beginning of a new school year.
it's ok to be really close to a student but i suggest you don't.
the other students will picp up on this closeness/favoritism immediately and begin to resent you and the other student.
you'll know you're too close as soon as you have that feeling of-------have i crossed the line in thi friendship. it's ok to be close to all your students. at the same time every teacher has to maintain a professional distance from each student to prevent the development of a TOO close relationship.
2006-12-16 17:28:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a student and I don't see any trouble with that....I know that since i'm just a student it shouldn't matter what my opinion is but I don't think there is any trouble once so ever. Because some people don't have adults to look up to. And as long as it doesn't get so close by touching or anything I think it'll be fine because everyone needs someone to look up to and admire,essapassily if something happens at school and so they know who to turn to if they can't go home or their friends aren't around ya know? that is my opinon. You can take it or leave it.
2006-12-16 17:13:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would worry about being a "friend" to a student. That kind of messes up the fact that you are still an authority figure in the student's life. You can be a mentor to a student, which is a completely different ballgame. It's wonderful to be involved in the life of your student(s)-- especially ones that have little support elsewhere. But I would beware of a student considering you a friend.
2006-12-17 20:33:09 · answer #5 · answered by caitlinerika 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A teacher needs to keep a certain professional distance while still being personally approachable. Some students misread this. I have students that contact me regularly and visit , while they have offered to meet in other places I have always kept it professional and at school. A teacher needs objectivity and you can not maintain that with people you are personally close with. Its why Drs. do not treat their own family and friends.
2006-12-16 17:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by fancyname 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have had many close relationships with students as well as their parents. It is difficult to maintain a friendly relationship with a student without losing the teacher/ student level of respect. A friend is considered a peer, one whom you can easily let your guard down with....while a teacher must maintain a certain level of authority in order to be effective. A good teacher should be a moral role model as well as a guide and source of knowledge.
2006-12-16 20:34:05 · answer #7 · answered by parapluie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In arts education, it is really easy to form attachments to students and vice versa. Even with "gifts" there is a wide variety of meanings. You know if a gift is more of a "Gift" and less of a "thanks for being my teacher" kind of thing. I enjoy my students greatly, but I would be wary if they started forming too much of an attachment to me. Socially, it's better for them to be close to other students, people their own age. Not to mention the diminished professional perception, which can be very damaging to your career.
2006-12-16 19:23:06 · answer #8 · answered by Jazzfanatic 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have seen teachers who get too close to there students and one teacher who got herself pregnant by a student - those things are bad for morale and much more!!!
2006-12-16 17:25:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It doesnt seem like it would be professional for a teacher to be "friends" with their student. The teacher has to keep the authority figure up, and not lose that.
2006-12-16 17:03:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋