How to motivate challenging students?
How do we motivate "Challenging: students without frustrating or alienating them?
Hi William,
I like how you build them up first and then give them suggestions for improvement.
Patricia Scales
I have the best results by starting a one on one session with what they are doing well at. A positive slant usually seems to help start their attitude on a better note, and then my suggestions about how they can improve are received in a more positive manner.
I just had to deal with a very difficult student in my class, I found myself very irritated with this person and was taking her behavior very personally. Reading the material in this class helped me realize that I need to look at myself first and see what I am doing to cause this problem. As soon as I realized that this person is having personal difficulties that had NOTHING to do with me, the problem, for me at least dissolved. I talked with the student and found she had so many challenges going on in her personal life that she was projecting her fears onto the class. She was afraid to leave the class, and was scared she was not prepared to go out into the field. I reassured her and listened with an open heart and suddenly we were back on the same page. It is amazing to me how we can make such a big deal out of something that is not about us in the first place. Kerry Matthews
Hi Glenn,
Speak privately with the student and end the conversation on a positive note.
Patricia Scales
