In response to increasing reports of inappropriate teacher-student relationships across the country, universities are emphasizing proper professional boundaries to those who plan to enter the teaching field.
Although The Teachers College at Emporia State University has no specific course dedicated to maintaining a professional distance from students, the topic is addressed throughout the educational process, especially in an orientation that takes place before student teaching.
“We talk about that in a number of places as part of course work,” said Phil Bennett, dean of the Teachers College at ESU. “It’s not something we talk about once, we talk about it several times. And then at the orientation we particularly emphasize it because that’s when they’re going to be out there basically full-time.”
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seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
Perhaps being "inappropriate" is just too high on our society's priority list. Ya think?
June 5, 2009 at 6:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Blackshirt (anonymous) says...
Isn't this stuff just common sense? Oh yeah, sense isn't that common these days.
June 5, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
alfalfa (anonymous) says...
This has been taught for at least 20 years, and probably forever, and yes it should be common sense, but so should alot of other things(like, don't borrow 125% the value of your home, or don't loan someone 125% the value of their home, etc) but this day and age common sense seems to be very rare.
June 5, 2009 at 10:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sciguy (anonymous) says...
Well, /duh/. We also need to remember that 'appropriate boundaries' do not preclude a congratulatory pat on the back, a consoling hand on the shoulder, or even an appropriate hug. Good teachers maintain professionalism, but good teachers also care about their students.
Maybe we should be looking into whether psychological screening could identify people who are more likely to cross the common sense boundaries and keep them out of the profession?
June 6, 2009 at 12:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )