4.HEALTHY BOUNDARIES FOR TEACHERS

          HEALTHY BOUNDARIES FOR TEACHERS

1.Professional behavior is a priority:  Your personal/professional values, rights, and responsibilities are more important than any sense of needing to be liked by others, needing to please others, or needing to make a "good impression." 

2.    Use caution with self-disclosure:   As a teacher/professional, discretion is required regarding what, where, and to whom you disclose personal information.  Your role as a teacher and the setting are important considerations. 

3.    Beware  of  boundary  violations;  take  time  to  respond:    When  other  people (colleagues,   students,   friends)   illustrate   inappropriate   boundaries   by   asking questions or making remarks about which you feel uncomfortable, look to your own boundaries, values, and responsibilities for support and guidance.  Remember that it is  okay  to  be  silent  and  to  take  time  to  evaluate  the  situation.    Responses  such  as "I'm thinking about how to respond,"  "I need time to think a minute,"  "I haven't  really thought much about it," or "Please put that into other words" are appropriate. 

4.    Be  observant:    Observe  the  effect  boundary  violations  have  on  others.    Observe how  you  feel  when  your  boundaries  are  invaded.  This  increased  awareness  will assist you to recognize, establish, and maintain comfortable and healthy boundaries. 

5.    Don't  be  afraid  to  correct  inappropriate  behavior:    Your  responsibility  as  a professional is to model and teach appropriate boundaries. 

6.    Use  extreme  caution  with  physical  contact  or  touching:     Your  teaching environment  will  influence  whether  or  not  touching  is  appropriate;  for  example,  preschool  teaching  vs.  middle  school  teaching.    In  short,  you  are  responsible  for eliminating   any   possible   misunderstanding.      Discuss   this   issue   with   your cooperating teacher. 

7.    Be  prepared:    Becoming  a  professional  is  an  ongoing  process.    Allow  time  each day for self-examination and reflection.  We need to continually assess our personal behaviour, learn from our experiences, and realize that we will always be faced with unpredictable challenges. 

Source : Psychology Department, University of Rhode Island