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.
6. Navigating Dual Relationships
A
dual relationship occurs when a teacher assumes a second role with a student
(e.g., mentor, friend, employer). These relationships can: ·
Create power imbalances. ·
Lead to perceived
favoritism. ·
Compromise grading and
objectivity. To navigate them ethically: ·
Disclose potential conflicts of interest to
supervisors. ·
Maintain transparency and
document interactions. ·
Seek guidance from institutional codes of
conduct or ethics boards.
