Hi Jackie,
Angry students most of the time just need someone to listen to them FULLY. Listening is key, and they really appreciate to have us as sounding boards.
Patricia
listening is the best when dealing with angry students, when they relax some, then is the time to find out reasons for their anger.
Often angry students can be defused. Sometimes their anger is misdirected towards an instructor. It helps if the instructor remains calm and doesn't take the conversation / anger personally. The instructor should strive to be an empathetic listener, especially since often the student just needs to vent. Instructors, however, should be aware of the early warning signs of students who are in distress. As professionals, we should know what resources are available to help students; these resources are both internal and external to CEC.
Finally, it should be noted that instructors are human and sometimes make mistakes. If the student's anger is justifiable, we as instructors should be willing to apologize. Saying " I am sorry" or " I made a mistake" will restore a student's trust in you and such statements do not weaken you
as an instructor. I am willing to own a mistake if it is mine,
but I must admit I daily strive to be a professional and a role model, so I do not often have to restore instructor-student
relationships.
The students that I have found to be the most challenging are
those with a bipolar diagnosis. These students have
unpredictable behaviors and are often irrational. I have had
several of these students, and a few have had irrational
outbursts in my classroom. Twice these students have
charged out of my classroom after verbally assaulting either
me or another student. In these particular cases, I
encouraged them to go report me to the Dean; I suggested
this very calmly and professionally.
Why would I make such a suggestion? I wanted the Dean to see the student's uncontrolled behavior, so he would understand the struggle I was having at that moment in time.
This strategy worked out great each time, and I had administrators watching my back.
I will stop rambling now!
Jackie
P.S. I tried to fix my spacing issues on this post, but my iPad seems to have a mind of it's own tonight. I apologize for the misalignment of paragraphs and lines. - Jackie
Stop what I'm currently doing and listen. Even If the anger turns somewhat personal. Leting Him or Her vent can often defuse a situation. Then I try to repeat thier complaint back to be sure I understand. I also ask how or what I can do. This helps me to know what is expected.
If given a situation, I will ledt students know I have a open door policy. I will be happy to discuss a situation with them before of after class. I listen and try to find ways to solve the problem. Being a goods teacher means you have to listen even to the "angry" student. It will make you effective in your teaching career
Hi Alexander,
Listening is key! Sometimes the angry student simply wants to vent. If the issue is beyond your scope, as you have done, always find appropriate personnel to deal with the problem.
Patricia
Hi Karin,
Listening is key, but I will never whole up the entire class for an angry student. I wil deal with the angry student on her time, not at the expense of other sudents' time.
Patricia
Having dealt with angry students already, there are some ways to handle these angry students.
The first approach I take with an angry student (and this works best if the student becomes angry during class or is frustrated as well) is to let the student take a 5 minute or so break from the class room to recollect themselves and their thoughts and also as a way to cool them down so they can be somewhat easier to approach when we talk about the situation.
After they return from their breather, I then approach the student and ask what the situation is that has caused them to act out in such a way as they did. (note that I do this face to face and in private away from other students).
After having a nice heart-to-heart conversation with the student I am able to better understand the situation which has caused them to act in this way, and also lets the student know that I am there for them first and foremost, and that I would never want them to have to feel that they cannot speak to me about any problem or issue they may be facing.
In the end the angered student then becomes calm once again, and also instills a trust in me, knowing that they can always come to me when they are feeling angry, sad, hurt or just having a bad day.
Hi Roderick,
As an instructor you have to have tough skin. Never take any situation personal. A lot of our students have many things going on outside of school. Listening is key when it comes to an angry student.
Patricia
STop and listen let her get it out of her system so that the class can move on. Otherwise she will wrant through all class and want attention
KRIN
Not to take it personal. Often times when people are upset there are often time innocent targets who are not the subject or reason for their anger. Responds makes all the difference in how the outcome will turn out. I try to get the person to a point where they are reflective on his or her approach which normally changes right away.
I agree with everyone on the forum. But you must deal with the student and not let his or her anger affect your behavior.
When confronted with an angry student the first step is to listen. Try to find the reason why they are upset, they may be communicating it with their words or not. Once the student has finished or when you are able to intervene without upsetting them further try to use the "root cause analysis" process which uses questions to discover the initial cause. Once the intiial cause is found then try to work together toward a fair solution.
Of course this is just one of many solutions because each situation is bound to be unique.
Taking the student out of the classroom is a great strategy. While it may help the student open up more I can see other benefits as well. You will avoid the rest of your students being made to feel uncomfortable. Sometimes having an audience will escalate the situation because the angry student may feel they have to prove their point because they are in front of their peers. Another classmate also mentioned turning off your own defensive switch which is so important, regardless of the student's attitude you are the professional and are there as an instructor to a group of students and need to remain professional. Taking the discussion to another location may help both parties involved.
Stay calm is always the first thing for me. Listen to what they have to say, but don't become a punching bag. I need to calmly listen and see if this is something that I can deal with. If I need help in anyway I use the team that is in place.
exactly... being calme is the best thing to do.
Hi Lisa,
Over my 23 years of teaching, I seldom come across students that I am unable to reach. It seems like everything you do to try to build a rapport with the student, nothing works. I really have a strong connection with about 95% of my students, simply because I am a fair, and they know I genuinely care about them. I lead by example and prepare my studentds thoroughly for the work world.
Patricia
HUMOR! I listen to them & try to use humor. I use humor quite a bit. After giving them their "just due" time, I find it works well to show them no hard feelings. I never hold a grudge, or show any type of different treatment. Over the course of about a week, the angry student usually learns to like me & my class quite a bit. I have only had one hard egg I haven't been able to break!
When confronted with an angry student you should not ignore them, this will make them angrier. Instead you should listen to them complain and respond in a courteous manner and address their complaints and reason with them.
Hi Virginia,
Calmness on the instructor's part is a must whenever students are angry. No student should ever have the power in the classroom. It is always good to deal with the angry student behind closed doors if at all possible, and simply listen to the student.
Patricia
