im a buddy too much
I just realized that I'm a buddy, or at least I have buddy tendencies. It has worked for me in my 6 years of teaching to some degree, but I need to shift into a guide style in the future. I have done so by being more prepared and staying on subject. I have a bad habit of going off subject to the point where some students get confused. My style is ever-changing and this module really helped me.
I think its natural when you care about your students to become a buddy, we all want our students to like and respect us. It isn't to difficult to shift to the guide style
Whenever people have said, "You're not here to be their friend," I've always took it to mean that there is a person who doesn't care and has no people skills and they're not a real teacher. However, in this course, the instructor went deeper and really identified what the weaknesses are regarding the "Buddy" and made it easy for me to recognize those in myself.
I too am a buddy but it is always important that you dont cross the line by risking your job or their education..
I enjoy conversations with my students. I try not to give too much away about myself because I am like an open book. I don't need them seeing my weakness as a way to maneuver so to speak through my teaching/lecture times. Being relaxed in my lectures help them be able to connect with me though, especially if I'm trying to say some very tricky drug names. I like their input.
