How to deal with trouble maker students?
I think as a professor, i must calm and focus to give the best
Regina,
Thank you for sharing this experience with us as it is always good to hear of other instructor experiences as well as how the situations were handled. Student management is an ongoing effort that is incident specific but yet requires a consistent approach. By letting the students that were talking what the options were and that you were, not they going to select one of the options you were able to get their attention and resolve the situation. You are right about a new younger instructor needing to project confidence and strength in order to be seen as the learning leader.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As a new instructor who's relatively young, I could already tell on day 1 that some of my students were testing me to see what they could get away with. Two girls were talking and not practicing the math that I was demonstrating on the board. Luckily, my colleagues are supportive of me. They said it's my prerogative to either tell them to be quiet, tell them to leave the room, or have them stand up at the board and give the next math demo. As some others in this forum have mentioned, it's important to be consistent and treat all students equally. Also, it's crucial to portray confidence and strength.
Angel,
Thank you for sharing this example of how educators pull together to help students be successful. All of the faculty was pulling together to help them student be successful and by finding the right personality combination sounds like that was successful. All of you are to be commended for your efforts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I teach in a public adult school and very seldom I have a difficult student. Last time the student was in her early 50's and became so difficult with her classmates and even myself. I understood that she just lost her husband to cancer and was struggling with her mortgage payments. She got all my support and her classmates too. But after few weeks she was transferred to another teacher. Teachers at our school support each other in many ways including with the difficult students.
Jennifer,
The key is consistency and your school has established that through the rules they have set for all students. If the faculty enforce those rules then the students will be able to transition from class to class and know what the rules of conduct are. You are right there are some students that refuse to follow the rules and then complain when they face consequences.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Where I am an instructor, we have written rules the students must follow. From ones that say they must arrive to class on time, to no vulgar language and so on. These rules are followed from the first day to the last. Some students are just trouble makers, but these rules keeps everyone playing fair.
Yvette,
Thank you for sharing this example of how to handle a situation and keep the class moving forward.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Quetittia,
Like your style as you are demonstrating you are the learning leader and that you are confident and competent to be in charge. I am always sad when I have to remove such students but the results are well worth it because those that remain really appreciate the fact that I want them to be successful in a positive learning environment.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
one trouble maker! student threw her book on floor and became aggressive in her vocabulary and tone. my response was to step out of class and she was advised by instructor, director, dean.
after the advisment/next class meeting she was alot calmer and respective. it also set the tone for all other students.
I have never had someone so out of bounds that I have had to ask them to leave, but I have had a situation where the lesson had to be stopped, the person spoken to, and then move on. I put the class on break immediately after, and then continued on as if it never happened and the person was never an issue again.
Well I have to say I've had to deal with a few disgruntled students and I've asked them to leave. It's about positive control in the classroom. Number one this normally happens at the beginning of a semester. They are normally gauging to see how far they can go. Once you lay down the law in your classroom and let them know what will not be tolerated, the classroom environment will definitely be a civil learning zone for all to include the trouble makers!
Nilton,
As the learning leader of your students you need to reflect that you are organized, prepared and ready to instruct. By doing so you are setting the stage for learning success for students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
