What effect may having personal relationships with students have on a classroom?

Having personal relationships with students can significantly disrupt order and create questions of fairness within a classroom setting. When an instructor forms personal connections that may be perceived as favoritism, it can lead to a learning environment where students feel that not all individuals are treated equally or that grades and feedback are influenced by these relationships. This perceived bias can diminish the credibility of the instructor and create tension among students, ultimately undermining the learning process.

While building rapport with students is valuable for communication and creating a supportive environment, the potential for perceived imbalances in treatment outweighs these benefits when personal relationships don't adhere to professional boundaries. A classroom thrives on fairness, and maintaining a professional distance helps to ensure that all students feel they have equal opportunities to succeed.