Alleged Myths - Alleged Myth 5

Alleged Myth 5

You must not associate with your students in an informal way or they will lose their respect for you.

Debunker Says

The kind of students who would lose interest in training because they realize that their instructor is a mortal human, is not the kind of students we want at our school.

Rebuttal

Most professors are encouraged not to become socially involved with individual students. In the military, leaders may sometimes be punished for becoming socially involved with individual subordinates. Group events, such as a student picnic are not a problem and are encouraged. This myth relates to the previously discussed respect myth. As a teacher, you are friendly and sociable to all students, but you are a professional teacher, not the friend. As an instructor, you must make decisions and take actions that are in the best interests of the school and other students, including reprimanding and expelling students. If the student is a "friend" then the decision may be difficult and even delayed until it becomes a bigger problem. Students are customers, not friends. How many friendships have been ruined over business decisions?