From the beginning of my education at age two, all the way back in pre-school, I have noticed the difference in relationships I form with the teachers I bond with the most. These relations tend to help with my comfort level asking questions or for assistance, ultimately benefiting my learning. However, I have noticed that not everyone may form these friendships. Students may find themselves to be more introverted towards their educators, resulting in a less prominent need for a mutual connection to be formed. Many students are perfectly fine not creating these relationships, though I find that it is most irritating when these friendships with teachers become unprofessional.
After experiencing the variety of characteristics each classroom possesses, with each student holding their own level of academics and intelligence, the student-teacher relationship is a broad category, ranging from the students who are avid learners to the ones who would rather be doing anything else but that specific class. This leads to the relationships between the student and the teacher having different motives. According to the National Library of Medicine, the more eager a student is to learn, the more positive one’s student-teacher relationship is from both perspectives.
Though these relationships must remain in the ethical and unbiased standard that all teachers must follow to remain fair among the student body. Many universities list the instances where a student-teacher relationship oversteps the rules and how these actions may result in favoritism. As outlined by Boise State University’s Code of Conduct, holding a more personal relationship with your teacher to where your education is being modified to others’ disadvantage is one example of how these bonds may cross over the line of being unprofessional. This instance could happen to any student, no matter the level of intelligence.
I see that usually these student-teacher relationships that become unprofessional are mostly due to the students’ expressions in class. This could be a student harming the overall learning environment by being disruptive, unethical or just being rude. Never something a teacher wants to see, though sometimes it ends up favoring. These kinds of disruptions in class for a student to gain their teacher’s attention don’t build healthy relationships. They are only roadblocks in everyone’s learning.
For the most part, I find that forming a respectful friendship with your teachers is a healthy way to gain knowledge. Though overstepping the boundaries between you and your teacher has a negative impact not only on you but also on your peers. Maintaining professional relationships is extremely important for a classroom to remain unbiased.
