Dealing with challenging students.
Very delicately! Challenging students deserve
respect, I always want to make them feel they are
important, so one on one meetings to discuss
any issues and how I can resolve them is made a
priority. Mever make a scene. If we can't resolve issues, then I refer to the college policy for guidance.
Hi Mary,
I love your attitude! I can tell you genuinely care about your students and their success. Continue to be a great educator. You are definitely on point.
Patricia Scales
I always speak to my students in private if we have some issues to be addressed. I try to make my students feel like they can trust me with any problems they might be having or I can direct them to someone who can help them. After about 3-4 days I am able to address any of my students by their name, so I can establish a rapport with them to let them know I am there to help them and that I do care about them. So far I have not had any problems in this area. I make myself readily available for tutoring sessions with any educational issues that they may haveconcerns about.
As a teacher and an administrator in dealing with challenging students,I have learned never to confront them in front of their peers particularly teens or young adults. No self respecting teen will allow you to have the last word in front of their peer group. I like to arrive to class early when possible and greet each student as they walk in the door. Their responses generally give me some idea of their state of mind and allows me to plan how I will deal with them during that class period. It may be a cliche but it is also a fact that "students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!" You may want to talk to a student who seems to have a chip on his/her shoulder outside of class. Get to know your students! Spend some time in the student lounge. Let them see you in situations outside of the classroom. I am not saying "become their friend" or hangout with them. They don't need another "friend" they usually have about "30 friends" in your class. It is important that the teacher develop a relationship with their students. Once the students know that you care about them then they will be less likely to disappoint you or break trust by exhibiting negative behaviors.
Hi Linda,
Awesome response! We should never allow our students to cause us to lose our professionalism. To remain calm and professional will allow the instructor to better handle the situation and produce a better outcome.
Patricia
It is important to make sure your students understand the rules and the reasons for the rules. Often that takes out of play a lot of the annoying behavior. Those who insist on challenging the rules still deserve the same respect you would like to see them give to you (you are a role model). Speak to them quietly in class if necessary or talk to them outside during break. If it is something that must be handled in class, try to diffuse the immediate situation by acknowledging the complaint and make a commitment to talk about it after class. Then steer things back to instruction. Above all, remain calm and in command.
Hi Lyn,
Establish the rule on Day 1, and if a student breaks the rule, let the student know that you see them, and deal with this during break time or take an early break, and deal with this behind closed doors. I try not to use instructional time to deal with issues as such.
Patricia
It is a delicate situation and I certainly have made mistakes by calling a student out in class. "Jenny, are you texting? Please give me your phone before entering in my class from now on." effective...but maybe not the best way.
