The first thing I would do is find out why the student is so angry. If this was during class time I would ask the student if he/she could stay after class to discuss this. If the situation could not wait, I would assign work to the class and step out for a few minutes to listen to this student. If we could not resolve this I would ask my program director to sit in with the student and myself and give her feed back to the situation. Make sure to document the situation and the solution or not to the problem.
Always communicate with all encounters that you have. The students will learn from your example of hadling the issues.
Managing angry students is often difficult. I like to use a soft approach and diffuse the situation as quickly as possible. I am a small woman and so I find that for once that works for me more often than not in these situations.
However, the other day I had a male student who was obviously upset and sending out the "don't talk to me" body language. We were doing culinary production and he was participating but not very well. At one point he was in tears. Honestly I was taken completely off guard. In the end I took him aside and asked him what I could do for him. How should I have handled this?
Hi Margaret,
Emotions can be scary if they are heightened. Keeping the student calm is a must. Listening is key!
Patricia
I speak to the student privately but not behind closed doors. I listen first and I remain calm. I reflect on the issue and the facts and try to not to heighten emotions.
Hi Jessica,
Super way to handle this. I would have done exactly as you did. Fantastic!
Patricai
Hi Eric,
Isolating the angry student is smart. It is not good to confront an angry student in front of others, this makes the student even more angry.
Patricia
I had to manage a very sensitive situation involving a previous student and requested the aid of another instructor. The student was angry with how another student responded to them, claiming that the other student disrespected them. Initially, I simply listened to the student with the complaint and advised that all parties would have to write down their complaint. The student wanted immediate action and was advised that everyone would have a fair chance to present their side. The student started using beligerent langauge and saying how unfairly they were being treated. Due to the escalting situation, I requested another teacher to listen to the complaint and help difuse the situation. Having another instructor actively listen, offer the same advise, and point out the school's policy on filing complaints seemed to help. Following school protocol in that situation was helpful since it prevents one student to the next from claiming favoritism. Having another person in the room also provided a safer environment.
We leave the classroom to desicuss any issues that might be angering him...if I must i find another instructor to watch and assist if i need to.
Hi Bonnie,
I have had dealings with students who were on medication, but they were not taking their medication which caused them to be very out of the ordinary to put it nicely. I called a family member to come pick the student up; the student should not have been driving under those conditions.
Patricia
Hi Kim,
This is certainly the best way to handle an angry student. I simply listen until they are done talking without any interruptions, and I normally find out once they have talked, they have calmed down.
Patricia
I try and talk to the student and see what is causing the problem. I usually pull them aside on a break or ask them to speak to me privately.
I let them expell their thoughts and at the same time I ask myself if this could be a medical reaction? Due to not having their medication or are they a dibetic out of control?
After they have finally expelled everything I like to ask them to sit down and try to discuse the problem.
If this doesn't work I may ask them to go home and think about it and we will discuse it tomarrow
Hi Colin,
You are right! Never deal with an angry student in front of their peers, it will definitely make the situation worse.
Patricia
Much like some of the other respondents here, I think moving the "confrontation" to a location outside of the class session will help to diffuse the situation. At the culinary school where I teach, taking the confrontation out into the hallway and bringing in an outside instructor to witness the exchange can help the student to realize that their anger is unprofessional and counterproductive.
Hi Tim,
Mediators are always a good idea in service-oriented complaints/concerns.
Patricia
Hi Sherri,
Listening is key. Caring is a must. Our students really have a lot going on outside of school. We must do the best we can to motivate and encourage them.
Patricia
Hi Denise,
You are on point as well. Students need to know that we geniunely care about them.
Patricia
Take the time to hear what they are angry about.
Hi Ashia,
You must let the angry student simmer before you can engage in any type of intelligent conversation.
Patricia
