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How to Deal With Disruptive Students

Use School Resources

Use the resources that you have in your school. Approach the guidance counselor and ask if he/she knows more about the family. Has the counselor worked with the family before? What advice does the counselor have to offer you. Possibly ask for help in setting goals for the student. They must be attainable and realistic goals. Small steps at first. You want the student to experience success and want more. If the previous teacher is in your school, you may want to sit with that person and listen. It is important to stay positive when speaking to a previous teacher. We tend to remember the pain and forget that there was some glory, no matter how small. In order to keep the conversation positive, ask about what worked and what good behavior was displayed. In some cases it is very difficult to be positive, but you must remain positive in your thoughts in order to display positive behavior toward this student.

Look in the student's confidential folder to get a total picture and understand the capabilities and effort that is reflected in the file. If the child saw a Resource teacher, speech therapist, etc. , investigate this as well. Collect information and then you are ready to work. Research is the key to the success of this effort.

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