Angry Students
Normally, I try to talk to these students one-on-one and find out - what is the real problem. Some people will do almost anything for you once he or she knows you really do care about them as a person. If required, I try to get them help.
What success stories do you have with helping angry students?
I have angry students coming from a different class into my class. I take a few moments and listen to their concerns and discuss what each participate could have done or will try the next time the situation happens.
We give the students knives and other sharp kitchen utensils, so removing a angry student from the classroom is essential to others safety. Often times just asking what is going on allows the student to express their issues. In my experience many times the anger has nothing or very little to do with class. In these cases getting the students some resources to help with their situation can help calm them down.
Hi Ronald,
I hear you loud and clear. I've experienced the very same issue with a student not taking their medication. Never subject yourself to danger, get administration involved immediately. At my institution instructors have the liberty to remove a student from a class at any time.
Patricia
I have had students in the past with serious anger/attitude problems. They show you total disrespect and make you and their classmates very uncomfortable. These students need the intervention of an authority figure other than yourself to whom they can talk to. This person can make decisions that you are not authorized to make. Removal, counseling, medical care. In one instance the students anger issues were being triggered by her not taking her prescribed medications. She returned to class with a totally different attitude.
Hi Karen,
I normally try speaking with the student first to determine if I can resolve the issue. If I cannot resolve the issue then I get the supervisor involved.
Patricia
Usually I see the anger during class time. This student is not only angry but trying to find anyone who will listen to him too so he is disrupting class. That student needs to be removed immediately to speak with my supervisor before returning to class, usually the next day.
Removing the angry student from the class is the first step. if you can't resolve his issues in a timely manor he needs to be sent to the next supervisor who can resolve his issues.
Hi Christopher,
I like for angry students to write what is bothering them before I begin to listen/discuss. Normally, the writing calms the student, and afterwards, it is really no big deal.
Patricia
