Adult Student Boundaries
Janet Stein Director The SC Education Association Member Advocacy Center
The objectives of this presentation are to recognize
the boundaries that must exist between educators and students, relationships, vulnerabilities and best practices.
Objectives
1. Verbal Communication 2. Emotion 3. Physical / Institutional 4. External 5. Financial
6. Moral
Boundaries in 6 Domains Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
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Your Communication “System”
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Controversial Lessons and Discussions
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Rapport & Classroom Climate
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Modify and Adjust
Verbal Communication Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
• Did you take your medication?
• Stop the foolishness. • That’s silly
• That’s stupid • Did you forget this is picture day? • With grades like that, the only future you have is the drive-thru • I'm not a teacher -- I'm a warden.
Communication: Verbal Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
Some teachers use sarcasm or wit. Yet, sarcasm can be shaming to a child. Some children don’t interpret wit and may end up confused. Even if they laugh, sarcasm can affect students deeply. It’s wise to avoid
sarcasm, but if you do use it, be careful. “Keep it up and I’ll let you ride the short bus home.”
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A comment that could be perceived as negative will be interpreted positively if phrased properly.
It’s not what you say, but how you say it.*
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Negative remarks can damage a student’s self esteem and ability to learn. Some teachers believe negative remarks push children to be better students, but that is not always true. Remarks made by teachers can have residual effects on students that last a long time.
Communication: Verbal
Why? Many students respect their teachers and believe they are more intelligent than their parents. What the teacher says matters.
What makes teachers vulnerable to a false or unfair accusation?
• • • • • • • • Communication: Image Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
Perception Past Record Facial Expression Demeanor Attire Social Networking Private Life Reputation
What you say in the classroom won’t sound the same way when your student
repeats it to Mom or Dad.
Communication: Verbal Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
Making sure you have something in both hands, (e.g. pen, paper) may help you resist touching the person you are talking to. Touching people when you speak to them may seem harmless and personable but it is also risky. Some people don't want to be touched.
Communication: Touch Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
A common complaint will be “Mr. (___) makes me feel uncomfortable�.
Slamming, throwing, or shoving objects – even paper
Talking too loud Crying
Talking about your principal or other faculty/staff to students
or parents. Talking about personal
or health problems you’re having.
Emotion Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
If you’re struggling with something that makes you emotionally fragile and less able to deal with the day to day challenges of teaching or a difficult student, get help. If necessary, get coverage and leave the room to regain composure, or take a leave day.
• Don't touch students. • Student witnesses are not predictable or reliable • Don’t touch students to help them adjust hair or clothing • Gestures, “High Fives”, Fist Bumps, Handshakes • Personal space • Physical force to enforce discipline • Restrooms
Physical / Institutional Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
• Don’t sit on the same seat with students on activities buses • Don’t be underneath blankets • Don’t take photos unless it’s a group activity or there is an academic reason • Don’t drink alcohol on school sanctioned field trips. You will probably get fired. • Coaches, PE teachers, Band, Drama (teachers who have students who change clothes) must be very careful • Stay out of locker rooms, changing rooms & restrooms
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Students know the consequences of a complaint and they know how to “play the system�. They know how to get a teacher fired by making false allegations.
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Male teacher falsely accused by a female student of looking down her top. Administration was not able to prove his guilt or innocence, so they gave him the
benefit of the doubt. Different female student accused the same male
teacher of looking at her in a way that made her feel uncomfortable. Now, the district is having second thoughts.
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Don’t allow a student to obsess over you. Report it.
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Don't respond to flirting.
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Beware of students who are too “needy” or “clingy”
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Report emails, letters, comments, text messages from students that concern you. Don’t be naïve. Report any student who makes YOU feel uncomfortable. Don’t ignore your gut instinct. If it feels wrong, it probably is.
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If you discover Sexting, report it immediately
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Don’t meet with a student alone or behind a closed
door. •
Don't meet with students off school property*
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Don't put students in your car or give a ride home
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Don't invite students to your home*
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Don't loan/share flash drives, laptops, cell phones (anything with video/picture technology)
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• Sites like Facebook are, by design, meant for socializing. These sites encourage “off duty” interests and activities. • Social Networking sites can blur the boundary between teacher and student by encouraging a relationship outside of the classroom.
• When a student gains access to a teacher’s network of friends and personal life, the dynamic is altered. A teacher’s job is to be a teacher and role model, not a “friend.
Social Networking Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
• When you “friend” or “like” someone, you cannot control what they post. If your students are on your Facebook page, they are exposed to what your “friends” post, and you may be held responsible. • The digital age has changed the conversation. The nature of this medium means you are likely to say (post) something you wouldn’t say in a classroom. This conversation will be viewed differently if students have been exposed to it. • Building and maintaining relationships with students is best done face to face in a school environment.
Social Networking Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
• Don’t post anything you wouldn’t share in class. • Don’t post information about students
• Chat should be about school work. Don't respond to a post from a student that is not related to school work.
• Report posts from students that are a concern • Humanize yourself. E.g., pictures of your family, pets are appropriate and can help build positive
relationships.
Social Networking Dos and Don’ts Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
Facebook Guide for Teachers (Click to see some great ways to use Facebook as a part of student learning. Must be in Slideshow view and have an internet connection.)
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Portable Private / Secretive Convenient Immediate Takes less time than a call
What’s not to love? ‌.
Texting: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
S: T: S: T: S: T: S: T:
8:30 9:10 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:02 11:05 11:30
hey teacher what is our homework Unit 4, Chapter Review what if i need help ask anytime parents not home out of town u there alone? ya if you need anything, you know you can just ask
Texting: What seems harmless may be interpreted differently by others. Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
• Don’t loan students money • Don’t discuss your own personal finances • Discourage students from discussing their family finances unless part of a lesson • Don’t give students gifts • Paying for a student’s lunch—follow school policy • Follow school policy in reporting financial needs related to your students. • The SCEA Children’s Foundation www.scchildrensfoundation.org
$ Financial Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
About Administrative Leave
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• School districts usually place a teacher on AL when there is an accusation of touching or something verbal.
• Teachers are placed on AL while the school administration investigates. • The district is afraid that if they don’t take this action and the teacher is guilty of wrong-doing, they will suffer severe public backlash and vulnerable to a
lawsuit. Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
If you are placed on AL, you may be
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escorted out of the school in front of everyone locked out of your e-mail no access to classroom or your personal items told not to communicate with students, parents, or school employees • could be on AL for hours, weeks or months • paid while on AL
What happens Property of The SCEA. don't distribute without permission.
It’s the worst thing that can happen to a school
employee: being falsely accused of inappropriate behavior with students.
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The consequences of being found guilty of a sexual relationship with a minor or having child porn on your school or home computer, email, video devices, jump drives, etc. are very serious. You could lose your job,
be arrested, labeled a sex offender, or lose custody of your own minor children
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Educator Sexual Misconduct: What School Staff Need to Know and Do - US Dept of Education Teach But Don’t Touch - NEA Standards of Conduct - SC Dept of Education
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The SCEA Member Advocacy Center jstein@thescea.org 864-641-7272 help@thescea.org
www.thescea.org
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