Student is physically aggressive toward instructor
Identify safety plan for all classrooms, have contact numbers available
Hi James,
Never put yourself in harm's way. Always get law enforcement involved if there is a need.
Patricia
To reduce the risk of aggression toward other students I would have the class take a break. This would allow a one on one with the aggressive student. If the situation is not settled or gets worse, security may have to get involved or police involvement may be necessary.
I have not experienced a student being violent in the classroom but I have had my tires sliced 4 times. The campus has put survielance cameras around the campus and the slicing has stopped.
I did not react to the tire slicing, it was expensive for me but the cameras helped.
I like the idea of having a safety plan for all classrooms. In our school we have on staff security and academic people that can respond to a situation. I would listen to the student and try to channel the angry energy away from the audience of other students. I would probably call for a break and take the person to a more private area if I can. However, if the situation escalated to a possible physical confrontation, I would just call 911. Let the cops assist. While this is not idea because an instructor does not want to lose control of a class, student and instructor safety is paramount.
Hi Roady,
Wow, I have been teaching for over 21 years, and I have not encountered this type of action from a student yet, and I hope I never will. If it does occur, I will definitely get law enforcement involved.
Patricia
I am unaware of any such plan. I believe the important thing is to stay calm and not be threatening and combative. I think by reminding the student that becoming physically aggresive towards anyone including an instructor, is a quick way to destroy everything they have worked so hard to achieve. They risk being expelled from school, put in jail and suffer numerous other severe consequences.
I would suggest handling the situation as trained by Administration in any setting you are in immediately.
We are a small college, with very little available contact with administration or other faculty near by, we have no phones in most of our class rooms, etc. As far as I know, we have no "set" plan of action in a situation like this, any suggestions?
