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Posted on March 10, 2015 5:40 pm
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Robyn Jones
Robyn Jones
Reps: 104
Relationship Advice???
My students say that I am very personable and approachable. They feel as if they can talk to me about anything. One student asked if they could talk to me and I said of course. She began to tell me about this boy that she really liked and began asking me for relationship advice. I didn't feel comfortable talking to her because I thought it would be me getting too personal with a student. Is this wrong to talk to our students about things outside of the school?
 
     
     
 
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Solution 1
Posted March 10, 2015 6:37 pm

yPyhaN
yPyhaN
Reps: 103
I believe it is alright to talk to students about certain things outside of school. I would be willing to give relationship advice to a student as long as it was school appropriate and didn't include much detail. I would include sayings such as, "follow your heart" or "do what you think is best". I would not give my opinion about the specific situation but the topic as a whole.I would be willing to listen.
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Candace
Candace
Reps: 106
I think it is great to talk to students about their lives outside of the school. Our classroom is a family unit and we should be able to share about our lives. Also, this child or another student might one day need to tell you something that they can not tell anyone else. I think its great what you do.
  Posted on: March 10, 2015 7:21 pm

ezeDeZ
ezeDeZ
Reps: 107
I think that it depends on the situation. Sometimes students just need to hear that certain relationship issues/feelings are normal, and you may be able to provide appropriate examples from your life (I went through that too, with time you will get over it, relationships are complicated, etc). If the matter is more intense than you feel comfortable discussing, you may want to urge the student to seek the guidance counselor for discussions and advice. Overall, our students need to know that they can speak to us and rely on us when needed.
  Posted on: March 10, 2015 11:05 pm

uzyXuV
uzyXuV
Reps: 208
I think your right teachers are involved in the child's life and do need to listen to their concerns. They may not be able to advise but listening can be just as important.
  Posted on: October 15, 2015 3:39 pm

baQumy
baQumy
Reps: 100
I think this is the right way to approach this.
  Posted on: October 23, 2015 4:32 pm

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Solution 2
Posted March 15, 2015 5:11 pm

XyGady
XyGady
Reps: 106
I have been perceived as being approachable and personable as well amongst my students. With that being said, I think it is important to understand which advice is too personal and which advice is professionally appropriate. For example, I had a student approach me with the same intent. I wasn't sure how to respond, but I felt it significant to advise the student to stay focused on her learning and school and that relationships will come at later time. I feel that it is important to redirect the student back to their education each and every time.
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Solution 3
Posted March 11, 2015 1:28 am

SyRaNy
SyRaNy
Reps: 103
I think it depends upon what advice you are giving. I think you can say things like, "you should talk to your parents about that." This general type of advice would be good, clean, guidance.
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Solution 4
Posted March 15, 2015 11:39 pm

yQadyH
yQadyH
Reps: 129
I would tell them that I can always listen to your stories, but with my job, sometimes I can answer and help you but sometimes I cannot. Listen to the problem but use your judgement concerning if you can answer or help.
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Solution 5
Posted October 18, 2015 5:37 pm

qyQaGy
qyQaGy
Reps: 78
It is great that you have a good relationship with your students, but I think that you are right to be worried about crossing the line between teacher and friend. If a student starts to talk to you asking for relationship advice, I would tell the student that I was glad they were comfortable talking to me, but I am not the best source of advice and that they should talk to their parents or an older sibling. There is a way to diffuse the situation without making the student feel hurt.
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Solution 6
Posted October 7, 2017 1:56 pm

yPeMug
yPeMug
Reps: 200
I think it would be totally ok! Just remind her that you may not always have the answer for her or the one she wants to hear. This is making yourself approachable to your students and of course you want them to come to you with their problems, being able to help or not at least you can listen.
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Solution 7
Posted February 25, 2018 7:57 pm

juduje
juduje
Reps: 201
It's important for students to feel comfortable to come and speak with you about whatever they need to. When it comes to things outside of school, maybe you could play more of a role of a listener than the speaker. Have the student speak about what they feel while you listen. If the student asks you specifically what you think, you could direct them towards doing whatever they feel in their heart is right.
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Solution 8
Posted March 30, 2023 12:34 am

TuZuva
TuZuva
Reps: 103
I feel like for a student to trust you, you should be able to have conversations about topics that are outside of school topics. Relationship advice might be taking it too far in the topics, but being there for your students would mean the world for them especially if they do not have that type of support at home.
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Solution 9
Posted July 2, 2015 7:07 pm

uZynaG
uZynaG
Reps: 103
I think that there is a fine line with this particular situation and you have to be careful because there can be many possible outcomes.
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Solution 10
Posted October 12, 2015 1:32 am

gyteMe
gyteMe
Reps: 90
I would stay away from those types of conversation and strictly keep it professional. I would redirect her to her parents or the school counselor for advice. After all, it is not your child, you are only there to do one thing and one thing only - teach!
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uzyXuV
uzyXuV
Reps: 208
Sometimes a teacher is the only reasonable adult in a child's life. She needs to listen even if she can't offer advice or a solution.
  Posted on: October 15, 2015 3:37 pm

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