Annoying students
I am quite embarassed to say that I find one of my students annoying. I noticed myself avoiding interactions with her because I am afraid that I will be short with her.
I am struggling with how to remedy this situation and would love some feedback!
Hello Kristen,
That can be the case at times, but that is life. Make a special effort every time you come in contact with this student to treat this student just as if you would treat any other student. Effort is key!
Patricia
Have you discussed this issue with the student?
Even an annoying student might be willing to have sit down and explain her actions.
With this economy and family issues in the world
today, we have more pressure and stress than ever before.
She may need a shoulder.
Just a thought.
Hi Allen,
Talk to her and listen to what she has to say. A talk generally works.
Patricia
I had a student last term who was quite annoying. She was a pretty good student, but was constantly asking me questions about what I had just said, as if she wasn't listening. That was so frustrating. I just tried very hard to be nice, and most of all treat her with respect. Keep in mind that you are a professional and it is your job to teach all of them.
Hi Andrea,
It is your job to teach all of them, but this student was simply not listening. She made a habit of this. This student should have been spoken to immediately after you saw the pattern a few times. This is very annoying and disrespectful.
Patricia
I have a student who constantly blurts out my name during the middle of class, while I am speaking, while others are taking a test, pretty much whenever she wants. And it's very annoying and disrespectful. I've asked her to be quiet, I've tried guiding discussions away from her controlling voice, and at one point it escalated to the point where I asked her to either be quiet or to leave the classroom. The other students really appreciated that I did this, but she didn't like it so much. How do you balance this? And by the way, to make it even worse, she doesn't even know how to say, or spell my name correctly!
It's rare that I have a class where someone is not annoying. I think it is the nature of groups. But here's what I do: I reverse the perspective, making myslef the student and looking at the "annoyance" as the instructor. This usually gives me insight into what the annoyance is based on. Most often, it has to do with communication and listening. This allows me to double check myself and make sure I am presenting myself in the most objective way possible.
Mike Kalanty,. Artisan Bread Baker
California Culinary Academy
Hi Jonathan,
Don't ever let things escalate. Nip it in the bud quickly and swiftly. Students want you to handle business.
Patricia
well we all have at least one of these per class.. if the person is to the point of making people angery other then yourself , bringing them aside and letting them know what they are doing is astart,,some pople are just built that way and they dont even know they are doing it,,give the benfir of doubt and talk,, if that does not work, asf for help from fellow intructors or admin
I believe every instructor has had at least one annoying student in class and I bet the other students know who he/she is on day one of class. In cases where I have encountered the annoying student, I try to address the issue in private with them. Also, I have noticed that in some cases other students may pull the student aside and explain how their behavior is interferring in the class. Student to student interactions may be useful.
Hi Andrea,
I wonder if your student may have had a hearing problem? -Jeanne
I've found that this can really unbalance the vibe of a classroom because the other students will get annoyed as well. It makes the class uncomfortable and can really ruin the chance of teamwork in small groups. What if it's already gotten to that point (where the other students dislike that student because he/she is annoying)?
