I've actually never been comfortable with being that casual with current
students.  Meeting after a student has graduated or meeting with those who
are not your students is different, IMO, but for the most part, I've felt I
need to maintain a professional distance in order to keep boundaries
appropriate.  This includes a dress code in the classroom and decent dress
outside.  Maybe I am uptight this way.  I know many people disagree with me.



On Sun, Oct 18, 2009 at 10:13 PM, Michael Gyori <tesolmichael at yahoo.com>wrote:


> Greetings everyone,

>

> I am forwarding a message I sent to the NLA list about attire and

> etiquette.  It seems in line with the discussion Daphne is seeking to

> continue.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Michael

>

>

>  ----- Forwarded Message ----

> *From:* Michael Gyori <tesolmichael at yahoo.com>

> *To:* National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE <

> aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>

> *Sent:* Sat, October 17, 2009 1:12:04 PM

> *Subject:* Get dirty in street clothes, maybe have a beer with parents and

> at least act like a human being...

>

> Greetings Merle and all,

>

> I fully agree with Merle Ayres when she says:

>

> Get dirty in street clothes, maybe have a beer with parents and at least

> act like a human being.

>

> One does, however, need to "break through" the cultural and etiquettal

> barriers that have a few (some, many, whatever number of) students view

> their teachers as of a higher social order with the need to maintain proper

> and professional "distance."

>

> I remember my father telling me when I was young and wild, and behaved like

> and did things...well, let's not go there...when my father told me not to

> dress like a slob, because I would first have to earn the "right" to do so.

> Back then, I dismissed those remarks and really had no idea what he was

> talking about.

>

> Now that I am much older, my father's words ring true.  Much needs to go

> into the relationships one is able to develop with one's students so that

> attire goes unnoticed, or at least does not present an insurmountable

> barrier.

>

> Again, it all comes down to the crucial role affect plays in the

> teaching-learning cycle.  Truly, if your students feel that you "understand"

> and care for them, you will have earned the right to be caught dressed in

> rags.

>

> Michael

>

>

> Michael A. Gyori

>

> Maui International Language School

>

> www.mauilanguage.com

>

>

>

>

>

>

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-- 
Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
Community Writer for NEWS AND MESSENGER
www.insidenova.com
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