Unit 7: Professional Boundaries and Teacher–Student Relationships
Conditions d’achèvement
Unit 7 explores the ethical dimensions of teacher–student relationships, emphasizing the importance of maintaining appropriate professional boundaries in both face-to-face and digital contexts. It examines the role of care in education, while addressing the risks of overstepping ethical lines through social media, informal communication, or dual relationships. The unit also considers how cultural norms influence expectations and interactions between teachers and students. Through reflective discussion and practical examples, students will learn to build respectful, ethically sound relationships that support learning while protecting professional integrity.
5. Cultural Considerations
What
is considered appropriate in one culture may be perceived differently in
another. Cultural values influence perceptions of: ·
Physical proximity ·
Forms of address (titles, first names) ·
Informal interactions
(e.g., coffee invitations) Educators must be: ·
Sensitive to diverse cultural expectations. ·
Clear about behavioral norms in their
classrooms. ·
Respectful of students’ comfort levels and
boundaries.
