My most challenging student to date was extremely emotionally unstable. I think she was a "Blaming Others" student. She missed the midterm exam and a major project deadline, claiming it was because her parents were going through a divorce. (Big deal--most of my students' parents are divorced.) Anyway, I held firm to the deadlines and did not give her extra time. This made her angry, so she went to my program chair and made phony allegations that I was stalking her. He and the school's vice president backed me up, and so she then claimed that the program chair broke her nose (supposedly with the VP watching).
She was finally expelled from the school for something unrelated, after threatening me to anyone who would listen. (The school claimed it could to nothing about the threats because it was "hearsay.") I am proud that I didn't let her intimidate me into giving her a deadline extension, especially since none of her classmates received one. And I'm glad that I will never have to deal with her again.
My most challenging students are the ones right out of high school or are involved in a difficult personal situation. During class time I try to be more patient with them. However, I make sure that class assignments and projects must be completed on schedule. From the get go, I take the time and effort to be concise with course objectives in the syllabus. If I see a problem arising I will spend time after class and calmly explain what I expect from them if they want to continue with my course.
Hi Isaac,
I understand! It is very frustrating when you have students who do not pay attention. Not paying attention is very detrimental to a student's success. I generally have a good firm talk privately with the student. The talk normally takes care of things.
Patricia
I have a hard time dealing with students who do not pay attention during lecture, be it opening or closing lecture. I give out a lot of information and when they do not pay attention, it only hurts them (but it hurts me too). So I try to ask them a lot of questions to see if they realize they are not paying attention.
Hello Luis,
It is amazing how having a talk with a student can change things for the better. I've had many of these talks in my 20-year tenure.
Patricia
I find that the most challenging students are those that have no work experience, or have just finished High School. These students seem to have a sense of entitlement, and dont take well to authority. I find that there is a great lack of enthusiasm among these students.
What I do with these students is pull them aside after class, and ask them. What do we have to do to make sure that your successful in this class? I quickly let the student know what I sense there is lack of interest, and perhaps puts the student on notice that something may be wrong. Many times the student knows where they stand in the class. By taking the time to talk to them for a moment about the progress or lack of it they are making in class. Students will many times beging to make a turn for the better.
Hi Judith,
Some of the high schoolers can be immature. We must continue to have patience with them so that they we can teach them how to be mature and responsible.
Patricia
My most challenging students are the immature high schoolers. I help them to understand the validity of the course and the importance of their time.
Patricia, I usually try to get them engaged by listening asking them to provide some feedback trying to help them ease any tensions they are experiencing (asking if they need content help if I have past assignments which I have assessed to base this on).
Patricia, giving out a test on that day!! This is a motivator!!
Hi Mathias,
The key is to try to connect with the quiet ones. Once a rapport is established, the student tends to open up to you.
Patricia
I have found that the most challenging students are the ones that don't say anything. The real quite ones that your not sure if they're enjoying class or not, or if they are just there because they didn't know what else to do. I just and get to know them anyway I can. Try to connect with them one way or another and get to know what their dream might be and try to connect it to school.
Hello Daronell,
How do you tend to handle these type students?
Patricia
Hi Daronell,
What strategies do you use to deal with unfocused students?
Hello Daronell,
I like to give every student a "smartie" on test day. I simply have it on their desk when they walk in. What a motivator.
Patricia
Godo,
What types of "indirect" encouragement do you use?
Deborah,
What are those particular strategies?
My challenging students are those who think they know it all and think they can teach the course.
Hi David,
I've come in contact with young and older sudents who think they know more than the teacher. The teacher has to immediately and tactfully let the students know that they have a ton of knowledge in the subject matter. Most of the time having a talk with the students will change things for the better.
Patricia
I have found that students that are straight out of High School can go two ways. They are all generally excited to be here, however some have some bad habits that need to be addresses. Some times older students can be harder to deal with because they have the "real world knowledge" and may think they know more than you. Not always, but sometimes.
