Enough is Enough; Give Stubborn Students What They Deserve.

My 15 years experience of teaching and still counting have provided me with the opportunity to meet the most behaviorally challenging students any teacher wouldn't wish to find in their classrooms. In fact, teachers have a habit of avoiding the responsibility to help such learners by pushing them to other "experienced teachers"

It took me almost half the years of my teaching career, learning and making mistakes before I finally came to a conclusion; Enough is Enough, behaviorally changing students should be given what they deserve!

If you are currently dealing with such students in your class, give them what they deserve. Here are 4 things that I have personally applied in my class and have worked each time. This is what you must do to guarantee you the positive results you have been looking for;

1. Give them the Benefit of the Doubt:

It's important to recognize that no student deliberately intends to make a teacher's job difficult. Behaviorally challenging students often carry past experiences that shape their behavior and interactions. Inexperienced teachers sometimes react solely based on these actions, overlooking the underlying motivations or factors. Offering the benefit of the doubt enables educators to approach these students with a more positive and non-judgmental attitude.

2. Be a Positive Role Model:

Responding to a student's actions with similar intensity in the opposite direction, as described by Newton's third law of motion, can be counterproductive. Yelling to a learner with disruptive behavior is unlikely to yield positive results. Instead, teachers should model positive behavior while assisting the student. Being a role model ensures that educators do not mirror or reinforce negative behavior in students.

3. Give them Individualized Attention:

Behaviorally challenging students often receive attention for their disruptive actions. However, the focus here is on offering planned, purposeful, and directed support aimed at helping them overcome their unacceptable behavior. Individualized attention conveys to the student that they are valued members of the classroom community, regardless of their conduct. These students deserve our dedicated efforts to guide them in the right direction.

4. Give Them Time, Be Patient:

It's essential to understand that behavioral change doesn't happen overnight. Educators must remember that attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors take time to evolve. While it might be frustrating to witness slow progress, persistence is key. Over time, with consistent support and guidance, positive changes in the student's behavior may emerge, creating a more rewarding teaching experience for both the educator and the student.

Always remember, addressing challenging students in a professional and empathetic manner is essential for creating a conducive learning environment. By providing understanding, acting as role models, offering individualized attention, and practicing patience, educators can help these students transform their behavior and contribute to a more positive and productive classroom experience.

Which of the 4 prescriptions do you find difficult to give to your students and why? Be the first to start the conversation.

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