On 11/05/09, mrs.h wrote:
> You need to make a connection with her. It sounds like you
> already have some, but now is the real test. And she likely did
> this as a test for you. She is used to other teachers not
> "liking" her. Often students like this will test the teacher
> they are "good" for to make sure that teacher will not abandon
> them.
>
> I do not think you should talk to her during class. Maybe after
> class or during your prep, meet with her. Tell her you didn't
> appreciate being called ignorant, and maybe discuss what
> "ignorant" means. Tell her you like helping her, and discuss
> what she could have done in that situation. And know that if
> something is confusing or difficult, she will be more likely to
> act out. I would not threaten her w/ a write up.
>
>
> On 11/05/09, grade 8 teacher wanting opinions, advice, feedback
> wrote:
Thank you both for responding. My goals concerning this student
are to help her be successful--in academics and in other
areas--let's call that "life." I actually have taken her under my
wing, I think--I do look forward to her being in class--she's full
of life and is one of those students who adds a "spark" to the
class. At the same time, she is definitely a student who can be
disruptive. I would not be surprised to find out that she is in a
"gang" of some nature (as in most
small-big-city-poverty-ridden-sd's, they are prevalent here, and
many students, it is an unspoken 'given,' are in one.) Thus, may
have a 'gang' mentality--conjoining with others of similiar
nature/attitude, attempts to control a class by dominating a
discussion...still, there is something about her that is
salvageable. So what do I want? To reach her. To show her that
not all teachers are in immediate "write-up" mode. I like your
suggestions to meet with her during a prep. I will certainly
suggest that next class, and will have a discussion with her about
this matter. I do think she is rational enough to make some
positive choices--at least I hope so. I'll keep you posted.

>> First of all, I have to say, this girl is a problem for 2
>> other teachers on our team. For me, not so. She was, a few
>> yrs ago, in a school for kids with troubled families (but
>> kids who did not get into trouble in school, i.e.,
>> suspensions, etc). She's been more and more
>> outspoken/chatty during class as the weeks went on, but she
>> is in an afternoon class (right after lunch) that is awake
>> and rarin' to go--mostly, they do get their work done. She
>> tries, mostly, to do her work--by mid-period, she is settled
>> down and working hard. Today we were doing a lesson
>> worksheet with which she was experiencing some confusion--as
>> were many students. I was circulating as much as possible,
>> helping out as many as I could. I helped her. Then she
>> asked me a question (which I apparently did not hear), as I
>> was helping others. She asked more adamantly--then stated
>> that I was "ignorant" bc I "walked away." I looked at her,
>> quietly mouthed she was out of line (do not talk to a
>> teacher like that, is what i said), and told her she should
>> apologize--which she did, though in a rather attitudinal
>> voice. I let that go. She settled down quickly. So my
>> question is: next class, should I call her out, and address
>> it--as in, I wrote her up (didn't, but was thinking of it),
>> but will not turn it in, should she not repeat her what I
>> consider disrespect (though again, I did not write her up bc
>> of the apology, and bc she seems to have minimal self
>> control--blurts out things bf she thinks better of them);
>> or, should I wait and see if she repeats her (mis)behavior,
>> then call her out and call her on it; or what? Have to note
>> her, I teach in a school of mainly disadvantaged kids;
>> sometimes, I think, they have little concept of appropriate
>> behavior bc they have learned very few parameters and live
>> in mainly unstructured homes. Also, she was miffed (at
>> herself, I believe), because she did not have an assignment
>> ready to turn in (which we have worked on, in class, for 2
>> weeks--and hers was almost completely done 2 days ago--she
>> apparently did not take the hour at home to complete it).
>> Opinions, feedback, advice: greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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