1. When a teacher steps out of role, one never knows how a student perceives it.
2. A teacher whose responsibilities extend in all directions may not have much time to do anything well.
3. Students actually need the teacher to set limits.
4. Teachers are the ones who can point students to something outside of themselves.

It will do all teachers well to remember that it is acceptable to admit our limits as educators. Yes, we must be caring professionals but caring doesn't necessarily mean involving ourselves in every aspect of students' lives. Our efforts are limited to what is appropriate for a professional. The tricky part? Gauging professional propriety—it is not cut-and-dried.

Did you hear about the well-intentioned principal who entered two students' home after the brothers were absent from school? At what point did he cross the line? Or, considering the situation did he even cross a line?

I think that Diana Senechal on the Core Knowledge blog does a fantastic job of talking about how educators can most effectively assist students. She asserts that many student issues do not need to be directly addressed by teachers. Teachers do a world of good by simply teaching well. Teaching students to think critically enough to apply what they are learning to their own life and thus "figure out" a lot of issues on their own via their lessons. In many cases, this could quite possibly be the best thing that a teacher can offer to struggling students.

"Teachers are the ones who can point students to something outside of themselves—be it music, literature, mathematics, history, or another subject. These subjects can ultimately help students make sense of their lives. To erode this even slightly, to sacrifice it for the immediate needs of the students, may be to deprive them of the things that can help them over the years... I have forgotten much of the advice teachers gave me, but I remember the poems, essays, novels, and other works they brought to my attention."

Additionally, there are quite a number of difficulties that can arise from becoming too involved.

"...When a teacher (or principal) crosses over into the role of social worker, babysitter, or anything outside of teaching, he or she runs the risk of emotional trespass. Both teacher and student may become confused over their roles. Students may come to expect something unrealistic of the teacher, or vice versa. It is normal for a teacher to comfort or advise a student; this need not lead to any misunderstandings or problems. But entering the students' personal lives is treacherous, and teachers should guard against it unless there is an established protocol."

As we sit with our students and recognize that they have lives outside of our classroom (some of them quite difficult, even horrific), be quick to love and have compassion on them. But also be wise enough to recognize your primary role in students' lives.

Many thanks to Diana Senechal's blog post at Core Knowledge for acknowledging and discussing this professional dilemma.

How do you manage to care about your students while also keeping an appropriate professional distance?
Comment below.
Originally posted by Jill at AAE.

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