The most important key to dealing with angry students is to listen. Many times the simple act of listening can diffuse a situation or at least calm the student now. Students who are ignored or who's anger is brushed aside often times lash out more due to them feeling unimportant and that their anger, problem, and or opinion does not matter. Listening is the first step to helping the angry student. If this does not fix the situation having the student write down their problem can help, or have them meet with you in your office to discuss what the problem is and the next best step.
Hi Jennifer,
You have the right mindset to deal with the angry student. Listening is key! Sometimes students simply just need to vent!
Patricia Scales
My experience was with two students (both bigger than I, one a military vet) who were spinning up to a fight. I got them out of the classroom and down to the dean's office, where he got their stories/statements.
I always listen to what they have to say. I even ask them to see me after class to clarify why they are upset. In my experience, it is because of what happened in an earlier class or his (yes, his) perception of failing out of school in general.
I always let the student know that I am a listening ear and that I will try to help any way I can. I give various ways for him not to fail my course and encourage him to actually talk to the other instructors as well. This strategy often leads to success for me.
As a special education specialist, when a student with or without disability engages in behavior or breaks a code of conduct my first obligation to the student is to meet with him/her one on one to determine if the student’s behavior was caused by his disability. This is a Manifestation Determination Review (MDR), a process to review all relevant information and the relationship between the student’s disability and the behavior. If it is determined that his/her behavior was a manifestation of his disability (learning disability), I will speak with the director of education about my findings and recommendations. If not we are to have a huge ton of patience and develop a tough skin in dealing with some of our incomprehensible students.
Don't fight fire with fire so to speak. Listen to what they have to say, ask question, show them that you care and are willing try and resolve the situation.
I agree. After you have calmed the student down and listened to them, very often I find that the problem is only partly school related. Many times a poor grade is just the icing on the cake for other problems. However when school related a quick resolution of the problem will ensure that it does not arise again.
Hi Robert,
Our students have their challenges outside of school. Listening is key. Most of our angry students will calm down once they are listened to. Some of our students just need to vent.
Patricia Scales
Understanding their problems. What seems to be the problem, may be something else
When dealing with an angry student it is important to listen, to help the student and yourself understand exactly what is the issue. Fairness and consistency with all students helps to decrease opportunities for student challenges.
The chronically angry student will become a chronically angry employee of the future, and it is important as instructors that we demonstrate how this behavior will not work well in the career of the student's choice.
Try listing to student problem
I Listen to the student and try not to get the others in the class involved, and after I have listen try to suggest a resolution.
Hi Royace,
Keep the class out of it when a student is angry. Deal with that angry student privately.
Patricia Scales
Listen to them. Most of the time by letting the student "vent" it calms them down enough to reason with them and find out exactly what the issue is and work with them to resolve it.
I like the feedback you sent me on this subject.
Hi Royace,
How do you typically handle angry students. I like to get the student behind closed door and just let the student vent fully. Listening is key, and sometimes after the student has vented, eveything is okay.
Patricia Scales
Employ calming measures while staying calm myself is a challenge. But is doable. Finding out the cause of the anger and encouraging problem solving measures where possible helps
I have faced this challenge on multiple occasions and have found it one of the most difficult things to cope with as an instructor. I have found that maintaining a calm demeanor and intently listening to what the student has to say can calm them. I tend to use my methods of nursing therapeutic communication, such as saying things like, "I hear what you are saying. Do you have any suggestions on how we can fix this?"
Speaking to them in a soft, calming down forces them to stop speaking loudly and listen to you.
An angry student…. I have had to talk my share of angry students off the ledge. It is not easy but I agree the best way to success is to listen to them first. They need to get their anger out or at least to communicate it. If i remain calm they will go from boil over to simmer…. then we can discuss. I also agree with the statement that they need to feel like they are being heard and it doesn't even really matter what they are mad at. It could be a personal issue or perhaps directly related to the course work, instructor or the school. Nonetheless, they need to be heard as long as there is no threat of violence at which point it becomes a safety issue… and a game changer.
Remain calm and be unthretening in my posture. Listen to the concern. Write it down if it is of real importance. Explain to the student if it is a missunderstanding. If the student is still not satisfied, get them additional resources to help them understand or de-escalate their feelings.
