Get Your Students Hired
The student had bad attitude and challenged the instructor everyday. It was hard to be non biased. It was a challenge not to show dislike for the student or to treat differently from other students. The control that the instructor had to have was incredible. Talked softly and clearly but was firm. Set boundaries and stick with them.
Hi David,
Some students are really diamonds in the rough, and all they know is hard to be tough and hardcore. I've learned if you show them you really care about them and their success, they will tone down and respect you. It is challenging to deal with this type of student though, and you are right, sometimes you do need to get higher authority involved.
Patricia Scales
Some students are simply attempting to regain "control" of their lives, by asserting themselves against a convienent Authority figure.
If a student comes from a family or social setting where the person making decisions was aubusive or manipulative, or even if the student has issues with a person because because of percieved racial,gender, or other issues, it can become very difficult to remain in control, very quickly.
In such a situation, I have had other faculty members,(preferably a Dean or similar) sit in on class, or participate in a meeting with the student to clear the air, or at least re-affirm the course requirements, etc.