Case
When the parent gives up...

I have been working in a Title I school for quite some time now. While working in the school, I have seen many situations that have caused me to question my effectiveness in the classroom as well as my purpose as a teacher. More specifically, classroom management is an important aspect within this school due to the large amount of at-risk students. Nevertheless, there was a particular student within the classroom that had been quite a challenge for me for a while. I had tried numerous positive intervention activities and implementations that I was sure would change this student's behavior. However, none of these interventions prevailed. Therefore, the principal, myself, and the other academic educators that taught the student along with me decided to set up a meeting with the parent of this child. Upon meeting the parent of these student, my initial opinion of the mother was that she would be very supportive of our efforts in creating positive behavior of this particular student. However, after each teacher gave their account of the student's negative behavior and the teachers' failed attempts to effectively help the situation, the parent replied, "I wash my hands of him". You can only imagine my thought process at this point. As a educator, what would be your efforts concerning the student's behavior after the meeting moving forward?

Posted on: 03/15/15 | Views: 936
Solution #1
That is so sad, but it really happens a lot in the communities like that. I recently talked to a parent who was the same way. It is important to let the parent know that you are not giving up on the student, and to tell the parent the positive you see in their child. You need to make sure you are giving positive feedback with this student even when it is hard. You will have to this student's positive role-model if the parent has given up.
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Solution #2
Every year I have a few parents that make the comment that they are done with their kids or that they don't know what to do anymore. It is at this point that I realize that some of the behaviors and academic issues that I see in the classroom may be attention seeking behaviors because they do feel like everyone has given up on them. I would continue with the positive reinforcement and make it a point to point out the positive any time you can. Sometimes it takes time, but showing the students that you see their potential can make a huge change in behaviors and academic achievement for some students.
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Solution #3
I would remind her that you share in her frustration because you want what is best for the child just as much as she does. I would also tell her that in order to change the child's behaviors, you must work as a team and be in constant communication.

This is an great solution! i will definitely use this in my classroom.

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