On 10/24/09, rose wrote:
> I'm new to the field of education and was asked a question
> during an interview that I stumbled through. Here's the
> question,"You're walking down the hall and notice that two
> 6th grade boys look like they are about to get into a
> physical fight. What do you do?"
>
> Any ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks!

You defuse the situation by toning emotions down. But how
exactly you do that should vary from community to community -
culture is a powerful force but any culture deserves to be
treated with respect so respectfully step up and say " I
never want to interfere in your personal matters but I'd like
to help if I could. This sounds as if it's making you both
very angry. I don't want the other teachers to here and come
and interfere."

that build a bridge unlike the more conventional response "If
you don't stop now, I'm going to get the Principal or the
disciplinarian." That gets them madder, not less mad.

Don't threaten, offer to help. With your offer, they usually
say no and back off each other. But of course you must have
established a presence in your school and then with that, you
have some leeway in what you do. My answer is one I'd give to
any sub or new teacher. Once you're established, it's still
best to defuse all tense situations but how you do it can
come from you because the kids will know you and If you've
built a good relationship with them, they'll respect you.

You want to defuse it, not make it worse. Take a lesson from
the police- they carry guns but their first line approach is
to speak calmly and get everyone calmed down.

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