Managing angry students
What should you do when confronted with an angry student?
Many times with angry students you should just sit and listen (when class is not in session for the day). I have a class where one student does not get along with the others. I keep them separated in class. Usually she stays late and we just talk about whatever she would like to discuss. Come to find out she was not really "angry" but feels like she is the only one in her postition in life. I let her know she is important and needed and that usually calms her down.
Calmly talking to a student always helps them put things into perspective.
I have an angry student who is sometimes confrontational during class. In a hostile manner this student will disagree with something I have just said. I deal with it by , first of all, staying as calm and cool as possible, then responding by citing the sources for the information the student has contested, letting this student(and the class of 36)know that this is not my personal opinion, but, for example, from a nursing journal or other reliable source. If the student continues to argue, I inform the student that we cannot take up class time for further discussion, but I would be happy to discuss the matter after class.
The instructor must maintain his own calm in approaching the student and ask him or her in a regular manner what the problem or the concern is. If the student maintain his or her tensed and angry posture , then , the instructor must bring the student outside the classroom to talk about the situation. This is usually enough to resolve the problem. But if the student becomes very difficult,then he or she must be accompanied to the Dean's office for disciplinary action.
Hi Juanito,
It is extremely important for the instructor to remain calm and pleasant with angry students. Angry students should be given the opportunity to talk in a private setting if at all possible. Sometimes the student simply needs to vent.
Patricia
Hi Helen,
This students needs to be spoken to immediately. This type of behavior has to stop. Deal with this student quickly and swiftly. Get personnel involved if there is a need.
Patricia
I found listening is the most effective tool with an angry student. Then showing a little compassion goes along way. Times are stressful and usually if they can vent their frustrations, they'll will move on.
Having an angry student is a hard situation to be in. I think that it is important to let the student speak their mind in a professional way. With that being said, I also think it is important to try to isolate the student from the other students in the class. I would explain to the student that what they are wanting to share is important, but the classroom is not an appropriate outlet to vent frustrations. When speaking to the student, I would review policy and procedures that are relevant to the complaint. Following the policy is going to allow for you to give clear explanation, but listening allows for the student to feel like you care enough to listen and offer some applicable solutions.
Hello Ms Scales,
When I''m confronted by an angry student-I usually pause and listen...that has been the best strategy for me thus far.
How would you deal with such a student? What would you say? This is a student who is very strong academically, in fact a "brainiac". When I did invite her to talk after class, she did not take me up on it. She just thinks she knows more than the instructor, and my guess is, she feels superior to most of the other students as well.In our state it is very difficult to gain admission to a BSN program, which was probably this student's first choice, rather than our career college program. This does not excuse her hostility, just some background. Thanks for any help you can offer- this student's hostile remarks are random, none lately, but one never knows....
Having worked in the medical field for many years, one of the things that worked for me as an office manager as I handled medical complaints was to tell the patient I had not had the privilege of helping them yet (to resolve their problems). This, coupled with listening attentively with appropriate body language responses, went a long way to diffusing a situation. Patients were able to relate to someone who could offer a new perspective. My goal was to resolve the issue in a manner that had not been attempted in the past, if at all. I use this same discussion with students . . . that I have not had the privilege of helping yet . . . and I listen and help in any way I can. Follow through builds trust and breaks down barriers. Often the angry student just wants to be heard!
You have said exactly what I would say and what I do in this situation. I haven't had to involve the dean except in one situation where the student was also high on drugs and wouldn't calm down. Usually I can diffuse them and turn their day around into the positive.
Hi Doris,
I clearly see how this method can work. Students like to know that someone is willing to help them as well as listen to them. Great tactic to utilize.
Patricia
Hi Helen,
This student needs to be taken to higher personnel and spoken to very firmly and in a matter-of-fact way. This type of behavior would not be tolerated in the workplace.
Patricia
Hi Melissa,
I agree! Listening is key! Sometimes just letting students vent solves the problem. I also like to relate the situation from an employer's perspective.
Patricia
I often find that an angry student's real concern or issue may not be what they are expressing to be the source of their anger. I listen and usually we are able to at least begin to address their concern or issue. I also think that making a student feel that you are concerned about them and their issue really helps
I was confronted with an angry student in the hospital, in a hallway by the cafeteria. She asked if she could ask me a question? Thinking it was about being able to attend a special class being offered, I was completely caught off guard by her accusations and vehemence. Fortunately, I did listen to her and found out many things that she had been doing, which were not sanctioned in the hospital or by the school. I sent her to the class, 'to cool off', but wish I had requested she write down her complaints so that we could have resolved some of the issues. It might have helped her to see things in a different light and let her know I was interested in her concerns. It was the last day of the term, so the problems ended up being handled by the administration at school. I was totally unprepared for this situation. I see how explaining I would like to work with the student to "reach a positive and constructive solution" would acknowledge their concerns, as would my 'note taking', as they are stating their case. I think it would validate their right to complain although I don't have to agree with their conclusions. The student possibly thought I was trying to end the discussion when I sent her to the class. The class was beginning and I didn't want her to miss the first part or disrupt the class coming in late. I appreciate the suggestions discussed in this section & will try 'to be prepared' for any further encounters, such as the above.
Anger is not always bestowed upon the teacher. Just hired at my current place of employment, I had an incident which involved two students in the classroom and, apparently, another person out in the hallway. As the way the classroom was designed, I did not see the 3rd person who was also antagonizing the situation to the point that two of students physically went for each other in the classroom; one of the students was the one in the hallway who suddenly charged into my room. The second person involved in the classroom jumped up from their seat and started to head for the melee; apparently, the person from the hallway was a sibling. Ending result was I needed to have the police called to the classroom. So, the question becomes, while I focusing on what was going on in the classroom, how could I have prevented this situation from escalating when there was an unknown element involved, the student in the hallway?
Always listen to their problem and always speak in a respectful, gentle, and, understanding tone when speaking back to them.
