Case
Student with Emotional Issues

I have a student in one of my classes who has an emotional behavior disorder. I have a co-teacher specifically for this student. This student claims to have issues with a few other students in class, however, I have never witnessed these students bullying her. Just the other day, she told me to tell them to stop staring at her. I calmly told her that if I were to do that, it would just bring more attention to her, and possibly cause more staring. I have talked to the co-teacher about this, and she just says she will keep an eye on her. She knows more about her disorder than I do. I'm not sure what else to do, especially since the students she claims are bullying her have never done so in my presence.

Posted on: 03/15/15 | Views: 919
Solution #1
I would have this student talk to the counselor on a regular basis just to ensure that they are being heard and their issues are not escalating. I would also discuss with this student the meaning of bullying and what bullying looks like. A lot of students have misconceptions about what bullying actually is. I would also nominate a student in the classroom, one that is nice and very friendly, to be this students buddy. The buddy will talk to the student on a regular basis to give them a companion. She may be exhibiting these type of behaviors because she feels lonely and unwelcome in the classroom.
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Solution #2
Look into her permanent file, perhaps there will be some information that will be helpful in knowing what has caused this disorder, and how long the student has had it. Also going to past teachers and asking them what they did is helpful. Having an adult keeping tabs on her at all times is helpful as well, she may need a bathroom/library attendant to ensure that no one is bothering her. After about a week this student will most likely get tired of the attendant and ask to be on her own. Just keeps tabs in this behavior, it could be attention seeking.
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Solution #3
You have to remember that this is an EBD student. Learning about her as an individual, her triggers, and her disorder will help you better understand why this is happening in your classroom. Whether you are seeing the things happen that seem to trigger her or not, you need to give her claims substance. Let her talk about what is going on, whether with you or the school counselor.
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Solution #4
The co teacher should be doing more to help you but if not then you just need to remember to accommodate as much as you can to this student. Don't ignore her comments even if you are having trouble believing them because whether the bullying is happening or not she believes it is so ignoring them will only make her worse. Learning about her disorder and her specific triggers is crucial in this case.
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Solution #5
Whether the bullying is occurring or not is not the issue. The issue is that she is feeling victimized, which needs to be validated. Teach her what to say and do in such situations by role playing. She will learn conflict resolution in a safe, non-threatening way.
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Solution #6
I would definitely reach out to the guidance counselor to get some advice about what other actions can be taken to help the students. Also I would try talking to the student one on one about what she thinks bullying is and what the students are specifically doing that is bothering her.
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Solution #7
I feel that in this student's case you may want to sit her down and talk to her about what is going on. I feel that allowing her to talk through an emotional frustration that she is having, one-on-one with you the teacher, will allow her to feel welcome and cared for. You could offer her different perspectives of situations that she otherwise wouldn't have seen. Communication may really help her get through these tribulations that she will face throughout her life.
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