~*k.ye September 2024 Teacher > Friend Dynamics between the teacher and student in the classrooms can be confusing, and I have heard different perspectives- that we should be friends first, to become more personable so we can learn how to connect with the student better. It is important for teachers to create a bond with his or her students, however - it is more important for a teacher to lead / mentor his or her students, for many reasons. Students have the opportunity to make friends in and outside of the classroom all day everyday, but a relationship / connection with their teachers is oftentimes a once in a lifetime opportunity to make as a student. What makes a teacher different? We aren’t there to be buddy-buddy with students, like their peers. Similar to parenting or as a counselor- we are first there to guide and lead, not to play or gossip. This time in the classroom is designed for the student to understand new information, ask questions, and be inspired- things that friends are not necessarily able to provide. There is also the factor of providing a safe place where students can confide in his or her teacher. There are some things that students will not be able to share with his or her friends, but might want to share with an authority figure. This is not to create a dictatorship following in the classroom, but to create an environment where the student will not feel judged (as their friends would) for sharing something confidential that might affect their experience in the classroom. The importance of creating boundaries within a teacher / student relationship should be taken into consideration, as this kind of dynamic undoubtedly will make a tremendous impact in our students’ learning experiences.