Linda,
You are right on point! You do not need to be the students' buddy. You are there to serve as their instructor by sharing your knowledge to take the student to a different level. You are not there to win a popularity contest! Respect is earned from leading by example. Once a student loses respect for you, you as the instructor has lost all credibility. It doesn't matter if the student likes you are not (it is nice if the student likes you), but what matters is that the student can learn from you and respects you.
Patricia