Dealing with challenging students
If all students were great to have in class everybody could do this. The skill of the instructor is when he or she can manage to turn a student. Whether it's an angry student, shy student or a cheating student you have to find a way to help them overcome the problem and show them they can do the work.
I've found usually the student is trying to hide a feeling they may have.
By showing you care usually you can relate the same type of problem you may of had that they can relate to.
"Challenging" students can also be those who "get it" quickly and challenge you to reach and develop your instruction to go further and do more. This can be difficult to balance with the challenge of keeping your instruction at a level where the playing field is pretty much even for all students.
Maybe "exceptional" students could be recruited as assistants, so that they don't become bored or feel "left out".
Hi Lauren,
The perfect world of teaching would be to have perfect students. We have to deal with each student individually, and help them blossom into a professional.
Patricia
