I agree with the majority in your forum, listen. I may add in a somewhat private but not isolate place. Angry energy is contagious---keep the venting away from the others!
Hi Denise,
I do not encounter angry students very much, but the key is listening to them. Sometimes the angry student simply needs to vent.
Patricia
Stop and Listen. The very first thing to remember is to turn off the defensive switch in your brain and turn on the listening switch. most of the time, if you let the student be angry and vent, you can calmly talk to them about why they were angry after they finished their complaint.
This makes the situation easier to talk about, and or resolve if they feel like they have been heard.
Sometimes the student has a real good argument, and you may agree with him, and sometimes they are just trying to get something for nothing, and you have to deny them. You don't know until you listen.
I haven't had much experience with angry students but when one has been in my class, I do take the time to talk to them individually to discuss the issue at hand. Usually the problem doesn't have any relation to school but talking to someone objective seems to diffuse the anger...and helps the student to realize that they do have someone who is interested in their success.
First and foremost angry behavior is unacceptable. I find that if a student is loud and out rate I ask them to remove their selves very quietly. Normally is someone is yelling and you talk low they will lower their tone to hear you. If a student is displeased with a grade because they understand the assignment I offer tutoring and one on one time with the student.
Be careful not to escalate the situation. Listen to the student without interrupting. Sometimes he/she just needs to vent his/her feelings before moving on. If possible, give the student a few quick options for times when you would be available to meet with him/her to look at resolving the problem. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance with other teachers and administrators. Some of them might have worked with this same student on other issues and may have valuable insight on how to handle the current situation.
Be careful not to escalate the situation. Listen to the student without interrupting. Sometimes he/she just needs to vent his/her feelings before moving on. If possible, give the student a few quick options for times when you would be available to meet with him/her to look at resolving the problem. Don't be afraid to ask for assistance with other teachers and administrators. Some of them might have worked with this same student on other issues and may have valuable insight on how to handle the current situation.
Try to remain calm without giving them all the power in the classroom. Tell them you are willing to discuss anything they are having a problem with at a later date when they are calm.
Hi Jennifer,
I too have encountered a lot of female as being angry students. Men are a lot more tolerant/patient.
Patricia
Leroy,
Wow! You painted quite a picture.
Yes, most angry students that I have encountered have been female as well.
This is funny because the course content says ..."...angry students will almost excusively be male..." I do not believe this is accurate.
Jennifer
Angry students in my classes have always been
female students that approaches threaten your person while screaming over 2-5 points disagreement in grade points. First, I move to a safer distance; then I try listening; next viewing the problem in question; more listening while maintaining a safe distance; finally working problem on board; if justified, awarding her with 2-5 points; If not justified, move very quickly to safer ground.
One generally overlooked aspect of dealing with an angry student is time-related. When the student displays anger can tell you much about its causes. If the anger presents itself at the very beginning of class in all liklihood it has nothing to do with you or the class. There is something going on in this student's life that appears to the student as totally out of their control and they don't like it. All you can do is listen and be aware as to what options you have through established school policy.
If the outburst occurs during class then the anger is directed at some aspect of the class itself. It has been my experience that as a course progresses and the student shirks their duties the student will shift their guilt on to you or another student. Your first response is to listen. The note-taking suggestion mentioned in the module is a good suggestion. Whatever you do, document everything. You don't want something to come back and bite you. New teachers should be aware that this is not TV and there are some problems that will not resolve themselves in 30 or 60 minutes. Life is real.
Hi Ashley,
I like the goal you have in mind. The ultimate goal should be for the student to return to the classroom to continue with the learning process, if at all possible.
Patricia
Give them your time. If you allow the student to vent, even if its just for a minute, you are going to gain their confidence in you as their instructor and leader of the class. Sometimes the student just needs someone to listen to them.
I would take time outside of class to listen to the student. The student could be angry for a number of reasons, but if I could help the student work through the anger I would. I would try to keep my responses fact based, not emotional. For example, I would refer to the school policies if applicable and not allow the students anger to "rub off" on me. It would be my goal for the student to be in a better place and ready to get back to learning at the end of our conversation.
I have a student in my class now that is angry because he has to retake the class. He feels he was unjustly accused of something. I took him aside after class and listened to his side of the story even though there was nothing I was able to do about the situation. Although I was not able to help and he is still angry, I feel I have at least gained his respect and he feels like I care.
Hi Eddie,
Listening is key! Angry students really need to vent and fully express themselves.
Patricia
As the module stated, start by listening and try to find the root of the problem or anger. Try to remain calm and look for a solution
Listen Listen. Listen. Then in a calm voice repeat what you just heard from the anrgy student.
First and foremost I remain calm. I then try to move the student into a more private area to preserve his/her dignity. I always take notes and use reflective listening.I let the person talk until he/she is done or runs out of steam. (The hardest part is to not let the student push my buttons about being a terrible instructor, bad person, etc.). I never try to solve the matter at that moment--it is too soon. I ask for time to reflect and consisder her/his position. I plan a follow up meeting with the student in my office and address the matter at hand by using the course syllabus, college catalog and the guiding principles under which every class in our school operates. By giving us both time to think and putting the student on "my turf" without an audience, the matter is usually resolved without completely destroying the rapport we share. I always end by telling the student that I appreciate his/her convictions and willingness to defend them while understanding that the resolution we reach is based on fact and will not be changed or compromised once a decision has been made. I never hold a grudge and work very hard to let the student feel that he/she continues to belong and to be an active member of the class.
Dr. Sandy Gecewicz
