Hello Katherine and everyone,

My post below was somewhat metaphorical. I do believe, however, that casual does not need to equate to an elimination of boundaries.

It is as important for the teacher to feel comfortable as it is for the student.  Presumably we can agree on that point. 

So...I don't disagree with you, because we are all different (thank G-d!). 
 
Michael A. Gyori 
Maui International Language School 
www.mauilanguage.com




________________________________
From: Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt <katherine.gotthardt at gmail.com>
To: The Diversity and Literacy Discussion List <diversity at nifl.gov>
Sent: Mon, October 19, 2009 1:59:45 AM
Subject: [Diversity 1121] Re: Fw: Get dirty in street clothes, maybe have a beer with parents and at least act like a human being...

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

>

>

>

>

>

>----------------------------------------------------

>National Institute for Literacy

>Diversity and Literacy mailing list

>Diversity at nifl.gov

>To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/diversity

>



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



      
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/diversity/attachments/20091019/c216ceea/attachment.html