I ask if we can go to a private area( away from the other students) and I let the student vent their concerns. If it is a school related issue, I ask them to please document the complaint and turn that complaint into me. If it is a personal issue I do offer the Student resource pamphlet to them.
Hi Bill,
What's important is that you have learn the importance of listening when it comes to students. Listening is key, and you will begin to see a huge dfference in students when you begin to listen.
Patricia
My first encounters with angry students were usually failures, for I did not listen. Now that I've taken this part of the course, it seems so obvious that simply taking in what's going on with this person is not only a good tactic to diffuse the situation, but it's the compassionate thing to do for both of us. Listening is such a huge component of communication, yet one as teacher I early on forgot about.
when faced with an angry student is good strategy to hear that we have to say, do not lose our control, we use a third party, that could help, we must also be reasonable
Hi Cristina,
This can certainly be the case. I've seen that our students can be very angry based on all that they have going on outside in their personal lives, and they are just mad with the world because of their short comings. I normally have a good private talk with this type of student to try to find out what's going on, and if the problem is beyond my scope, I recommend the student to a professional that can help.
Patricia
I always listen and that usually diffuses the situation. Having the student write down why they are angry or what their situation is, is new for me. I may try it in the future if I am confronted with such a case.
I too agree with you. I let the student formulate their own issues. I do remove them from the siutation if they are disruptive to the entire class. Removing them allows mt to set the tone and have a cooling off period.
An instructor must always stay neutral. I find that by having the students write their concerns, remaining neutral is easier.
I do completely agree with listening and trying to remain calm.
My first term as a teacher I had an angry student. Being that I was dealing with my own public speaking fears, class structure, and maintaining a authoritative appearance, I mostly ignored the problem.
Looking back, honestly, I should have done more but my inexperience was working against me.
I now see her anger as, most definitely, part of her personality, but even more a cause to my nervousness and newness of my this new position.
I myself was uncomfortable in my position as an instructor and was overwhelmed by its many aspects and responsibilities.
What I am trying to say is that a lot of times, students anger it a symptom of their confusion of class content and assignments; and that your instruction is unclear.
In our environment, the kitchen, tempers can flare but usually if I handle and diffuse it quickly it's fine...I do have a student prone to angry outbursts and it took a pretty strong reaction on my part to stop him...at that point I made it clear to him that it was not to happen again and thankfully, I also have the support of my executive chef who would step in and back me up if removal from class was needed.
I have had some angry students in the past two years in my teaching career. What I have done in the past is listen to the students to find what is bothering them. Then try to explain how to understand both sides of the situation. I have had some success with this method. I don't want to say I am excited to use the method of having them write down what is bothering them, because I am not a fan of dealing with angry students. I will definitely try out this new method.
First, be calm and listen. IF a solution is wanted, and you can provide one, then offer. If a solution is NOT wanted, just listen and refer them to higher authority. Sometimes all a student wants is to "vent".
Some anger issues can be difused very quickly by just talking to the students, and others are a real challenge. I have a student that fits the real challenge profile. He has been verbally warned, written up, and has even had several anger outbursts with the Dean. He has treatened to bring a lawyer into the school. We have document each insidence, and he is aware that any further insidence will result in his dismissal from school.
The first thing you should do is listen. That is usually all the student wants from the teacher is for someone to listen and understand that there is a problem. They don't necessarily want you to fix the problem.
Hi Dwayne,
I concur! Listening is a must! Sometimes angry students simply need to vent. Never put yourself in harms way if you see that the situation is heading to danger, get higher authority involved.
Patricia
Listening to their concerns is first and foremost to de-escalate the anger. Let them know that you genuinely care about their concerns. The next thing to do would be to determine the validity of their concerns and address them with a caring attitude. If the anger escalates to a threatening level, it would be a good idea to get out of the situation as quickly as possible. It then would probably be good idea to get the department head or dean involved. The worse thing you can do is to do nothing.It will only inflame the situation.
You must listen to see what is the real problem and help diffuse the situation. If you understand the real problem it will be easier to talk with this student and diffuse the situation especially if it is something small.
By not giving them the satisfaction of ruffling your feathers or giving life to their anger. By addressing their issue calmly after class, I'm able to keep the class moving and not letting the angry student take the class over.
yes. Listen before you react. We all have bad days.
By having students write down there thoughts they are also given time to slow down and think about how they are acting.
