4 answers
Marissa
Student
Middleburg, Pennsylvania
9
Questions
Updated
1777 views
How does a teacher handle difficult students?
I plan to teach kids math and to be kind to others! #teaching
Login to comment
4 answers
Matt Robeson
Analytics Director
2
Answers
Richmond, Virginia
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Dear Marissa,
It sounds like you have a really good goal - to teach math and make sure your students treat everyone with kindness!
To build a classroom where students treat each other kindly, it is my opinion you must first make sure everyone really feels safe in your room. To build safety, you have to let your students see you care about them, that you care for their feelings, and that not knowing something in math is ok. In my experience, when students are mean to one another in a class, it's usually because the student being "mean" does not understand something and so it's better to be rude then to seen as "stupid". Making sure students know they are safe is first - then engaging students in "math talks" where multiple kids can express how they got to the answer is going to be an important strategy for your success as a teacher!
I wish you all the best - you are going to be awesome!
check out Marilyn Burns, a teacher of teachers for math: http://www.marilynburnsmathblog.com/
It sounds like you have a really good goal - to teach math and make sure your students treat everyone with kindness!
To build a classroom where students treat each other kindly, it is my opinion you must first make sure everyone really feels safe in your room. To build safety, you have to let your students see you care about them, that you care for their feelings, and that not knowing something in math is ok. In my experience, when students are mean to one another in a class, it's usually because the student being "mean" does not understand something and so it's better to be rude then to seen as "stupid". Making sure students know they are safe is first - then engaging students in "math talks" where multiple kids can express how they got to the answer is going to be an important strategy for your success as a teacher!
I wish you all the best - you are going to be awesome!
Matt recommends the following next steps:
Matt, this is great advice! I agree with you on making students feel safe and to build safety, letting students know you care about them. My daughter is a new high school Math teacher. The first year was challenging but, now she's doing well. Thank you for the great resource.
Sheila Jordan
Gail Carver
School Psychologist/Teacher
6
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Gail’s Answer
Hi Marissa!
There are numerous ways to handle problem students. Most of the time students act out to get attention. Stay calm and do not escalate your tone of voice at all times and talk to them either away from the other students or after class. Depending on their age level, a reward point/smiley sticker behavior modification system works best. Lots of praise, refrain from negative comments, and giving them a leadership role where they get positive attention is highly recommended. Be patient and try to get to know the student’s strengths. Teach to their strength. If they still act out, refer them to your school team for a social/emotional evaluation.
Gail 😊👍
There are numerous ways to handle problem students. Most of the time students act out to get attention. Stay calm and do not escalate your tone of voice at all times and talk to them either away from the other students or after class. Depending on their age level, a reward point/smiley sticker behavior modification system works best. Lots of praise, refrain from negative comments, and giving them a leadership role where they get positive attention is highly recommended. Be patient and try to get to know the student’s strengths. Teach to their strength. If they still act out, refer them to your school team for a social/emotional evaluation.
Gail 😊👍
Stephanie Hamilton
Educational Consulting
89
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Hi Marissa,
Thank you for your question! First, let's think about the word "difficult". I was a special education teacher for many years. A "difficult" student might be one who acts like they might not want to learn. But, they do .... they really do! I often found that the students who might considered most "difficult" really had some learning issues or a lack of knowledge in a certain subject. They were embarrassed for people to know that they might not know something ... so they became "difficult".
Difficult might also mean they have a true learning disability that makes it a challenge to reach them; for the student to access or take in the information. Those students might need extra help or tutoring.
I just found this article from Scholastic which might help you: "25 Sure-Fire Strategies for Handling Difficult Students" By Linda Shalaway: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/25-sure-fire-strategies-handling-difficult-students/
The first strategy is always perfect: "Take a deep breath and try to remain calm." Always do that and good luck in your future!
Stephanie
Thank you for your question! First, let's think about the word "difficult". I was a special education teacher for many years. A "difficult" student might be one who acts like they might not want to learn. But, they do .... they really do! I often found that the students who might considered most "difficult" really had some learning issues or a lack of knowledge in a certain subject. They were embarrassed for people to know that they might not know something ... so they became "difficult".
Difficult might also mean they have a true learning disability that makes it a challenge to reach them; for the student to access or take in the information. Those students might need extra help or tutoring.
I just found this article from Scholastic which might help you: "25 Sure-Fire Strategies for Handling Difficult Students" By Linda Shalaway: https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/25-sure-fire-strategies-handling-difficult-students/
The first strategy is always perfect: "Take a deep breath and try to remain calm." Always do that and good luck in your future!
Stephanie
Frank Oldfield
M.Ed. (TESOL)., Online Remote Adult Education Teacher, Educator & Facilitator.
101
Answers
Finland
Updated
Frank’s Answer
Hello Miss. Marissa W., from Middleburg in Pennsylvania. Thank you for your question. "How does a teacher handle difficult students?"
My name is Mr. Frank O., I am a retired TESOL Teacher (TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) currently living in Finland part of the European Union. When I was a student at Teachers College our educator told the whole class that the "Best Teacher is like a parent with a large family. So we have to treat all our students with kindness, patience and companionship" Your educator will train you on how to help difficult students and you should check your Teachers College Handbook about such matters. Kind regards and good luck with your studies. Also please go to hashtag teaching and read everything.. Bye for now. Mr. Frank O.
My name is Mr. Frank O., I am a retired TESOL Teacher (TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) currently living in Finland part of the European Union. When I was a student at Teachers College our educator told the whole class that the "Best Teacher is like a parent with a large family. So we have to treat all our students with kindness, patience and companionship" Your educator will train you on how to help difficult students and you should check your Teachers College Handbook about such matters. Kind regards and good luck with your studies. Also please go to hashtag teaching and read everything.. Bye for now. Mr. Frank O.