Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question!!
It is so helpful to have several ways of viewing and reacting to
the situation. Now I have a broader perspective.

Thank you!

"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?"
>>

>
> 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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