Professionalism in Student Interactions
Be sure you are pronouncing students’ names correctly, using the form of their name they prefer if they also go by a shorter version, and avoiding fun nicknames or pet names.
Personas to avoid falling into:
The Cool Teacher—don’t try to dress or act like your students in an attempt to be accepted
The Young, Relevant Teacher—don’t mimic student trends; this will actually alienate students
The Important Authority/The Professor—don’t try to project superiority through big words or sarcasm
The Flirt/The Creepy Teacher—avoid sitting with opposite-gender students, having conversations in closed rooms, or repeated one-on-one talks
The Best Friend/Youth Counselor—don’t undermine your authority by over-mentoring certain students
The Mocker—don’t mock cultural norms or join in when students are making fun of something
Aim to be mature, secure, and stable. Be interested in your students’ lives, bless the overlooked, and encourage freely.
Dress neatly and professionally. You should be dressed a level up from what your students are (e.g. wear a full button down if students are required to wear polos, etc.)
Remember that if your students see you outside of school, your actions should always be responsible and above reproach.
Avoid interacting with students online/through social media.
Sources
Relating to Students 2.0 by Jeff Swanson Relating to Students 2.0 - The Dock for Learning
