When I saw this title, I immediately knew what I was going to write about!
There is one thing that I definitely do not agree with.
A great number of my colleagues have been writing posts and articles about the relationship the teacher has to have with their students. Most of you guys support the fact that we, as teachers, should not be friends with our students. That we should be friendly but not have a closer relationship with them. To be there, but have a distance.
In the beginning of my teaching career I tried to be like that, but I always found myself care about my students, I always wanted to learn more about their lives, help them in anyway I could, be a part of their lives and not only in the classroom.
Some years later I started teaching young adults. Of course during the lesson we did the work we were supposed to, but outside the classroom we became friends! Students know how to keep limits, they do!
I cannot separate the roles to tell you the truth. I mean, as an educator, you are not only a teacher. You are a friend, a parent, a counselor, a psychologist, somebody who is there.
So excuse me if I disagree with most of you in this.
A really short post this time... Keep teaching... Keep being happy!
2 comments:
What a great start to this goal! I think you are right that many teachers struggle with this. I remember back in 2004 when I was friending students on Facebook. We still are connected now and I get to see their achievements and congratulate them. They still ask me for guidance and help and I like being able to be that help. I often feel I have to hide how I support my students. I go above and beyond and for some reason that is looked badly upon and criticized. I understand the fears because some teachers have crossed that line. However, I know many more teachers who haven't. My students go to go to my wedding and spend time with Rosco, my pug, when he was a baby. Those are incredible memories I cherish.
Thank you Shelly for your comment! I have students come to my house for coffee or dinner, spend time with my family, go out with them and no matter what, we keep in touch! That's what I meant with my post! Some people don't like that, that's why I wrote this in the first place!!
Take care!!!
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