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When to Betray a Student’s Confidence – Advice for Substitute Teachers

By Barbara PressmancloseAuthor: Barbara Pressman Name: Barbara Pressman
Site: http://www.substituteteachingatoz.com
About: Barbara Pressman is an adjunct professor at the College of Education, Florida Atlantic University. She has been a classroom teacher for more than 20 years, and a supervisor for student teachers for 10 years. She currently mentors Substitute Teachers as well. When asked how she came to be interested in writing for substitute teachers she responded: I have subbed for many years during my teaching career. When my children were small, I found subbing to be a wonderful "free lance" job. At that time, I took on a 6th grade long term subbing assignment, which led me back to full time teaching. Upon retirement, I went back to subbing once again. Barbara is the author of book Substitute Teaching from A to Z (McGraw-Hill, 2008), available in all major bookstores and Amazon.com. To find out more, visit: www.substituteteachingatoz.comSee Authors Posts (32)

What happens when I learn something personal about a student’s private life?

Dear Barbara,

Middle School English is a class that I enjoy teaching. Whenever the regular teacher is out, I am called in to sub, and I always say yes. I know most of the students, and they seem to like me.

Last week, a quiet young lady in the class, named Anna, asked me to please read her journal entry. I told her that I felt uncomfortable reading something private, but she insisted. At that point, I suspected she truly wanted me to see her entry.

I became alarmed at what I saw. She wrote about how she enjoyed cutting herself, and she described in great detail her nightly ritual of cutting herself in various places on her body.

I took her aside and expressed my concern. I was sure that she asked me to see her writing to open up a dialogue. We spoke briefly, and when she left, I knew I must do something to help her.

Was I wrong to betray a confidence?

Wendy in California

Dear Wendy,

The fact that your student wanted to show you her writing is a tribute to you. She felt that you genuinely cared about her.

Cutting is a type of self -injury, often a cry for help. It is most common among adolescent teen girls, but some boys are involved in this behavior also. It’s a way of coping with strong emotions or depression.

Unfortunately cutting is becoming “cool” in some circles. Once started, cutting can become a compulsion.

You did the right thing by informing caring professionals in the school. The parents should be notified, but as a Sub, you are not the person to do this. The “Helping Professionals” at school should   make that communication. The parents should seek psychiatric help for their daughter.

Your role in this matter might have saved a life!

Barbara

_________________

Barbara Pressman is an adjunct professor at the College of Education, Florida Atlantic University. She has been a classroom teacher for more than 20 years, and a supervisor for student teachers for 10 years. She currently mentors Substitute Teachers as well.

When asked how she came to be interested in writing for substitute teachers she responded:
I have subbed for many years during my teaching career. When my children were small, I found subbing to be a wonderful “free lance” job. At that time, I took on a 6th grade long term subbing assignment, which led me back to full time teaching. Upon retirement, I went back to subbing once again.

Barbara is the author of book
Substitute Teaching from A to Z (McGraw-Hill, 2008), available in all major bookstores and Amazon.com. To find out more, visit: www.substituteteachingatoz.com