Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Was Alex too Friendly? My good friend Alex, who is a White person from Central America, has been teaching biology at a high school for two years. The school where he works serves a majority Black student population. One of the strengths of Alex is his ability to connect with people and establish good relationships. He used his skills in his new school, too, to form close relationships with his students. He believes that a teacher should be like a friend to the students for the students to trust and relate to the teacher. He gained popularity among teachers and students as a great biology teacher. One specific incident got him in great trouble. As he was walking from his car to the school building one morning, students greeted him with smiley faces and friendly attitudes. Most students greeted him by saying things like "What's up Mr. A?" "What is going on dude?" "How you doing buddy?" Alex found these appropriate and responded to students similarly every day. This specific morning, one student greeted Alex by saying "What's up nigga?" and Alex responded to the student using the same phrase. The next day he found out that the student and his family filed a complaint against Alex for using the "n word." The principal asked Alex to submit a written explanation in his defense and that his position at this school was at jeopardy. Alex asked for help, and I am not sure what to tell him. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I think that Alex was too friendly. I would apologize to the parents and explain that you were trying to have a "TEacher/friend" relationship but now you see that it was inappropriate. I do not allow that word in my classroom by anyone, and I think as an adult and teacher we should not be the "friend" but the confidant and person who they trust. That is different than a friend.