Case
Teacher playing favorites

I have done volunteer work in a special needs school and worked closely with a specific teacher. She tends to play favorites with certain students. It is very obvious to anyone observing and while the students are low functioning, some of them are beginning to catch on. There are a few who receive very little attention from her and are beginning to act up as a result. Is there anything I can do to help this situation as simply a volunteer?

Posted on: 10/10/16 | Views: 1075
Solution #1
If there is anything you can do, I would talk to the teachers around you and let them know about the situation and see if there is anything that can be done. Possibly speaking to the teacher and letting them know that the students are noticing that they are favoring other students.

This is good advice!

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Solution #2
As a volunteer I would go straight to the teacher and tell her that you feel certain students are acting out in order to receive attention from her. You do not have to tell her that you feel like she is playing favorites just let her know that from being in the classroom and observing student behavior you feel that some are acting out for attention. Students no matter their age or ability will do anything for attention, they would rather receive attention for being bad instead of not receiving any attention at all. Let the teacher know that you are trying to help her eliminate some of the bad behaviors in the classroom.

This is the best solution. I think it is a great idea to let the teacher know that you see this.

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Solution #3
Make it a point to give the students that may be left out, some extra attention that they may need. I would also recommend letting the teacher know what I am observing. Maybe she is unaware of how much extra time she is giving those certain students.
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Solution #4
You could innocently bring it up and make it look like you need the teacher to explain her actions so that you can understand it. Or maybe use it as a learning point that you will make sure you don't follow in that teacher's footsteps.
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Solution #5
As a volunteer, I feel like the only thing you could do is give the other students your attention so that they do not feel left out. It is rude for the teacher to play favorites in a classroom. But by making sure that the other students have your attention might be better for them.
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Solution #6
I would document the times the teacher favored some students while neglecting others. I would ask the teacher if they notice the kids acting out and ask why they think this is happening. I would talk with the teacher about possible solutions and see if there was anything that we could do to prove the situation.
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Solution #7
As a volunteer you may be able to make up for some of that lack of attention. It is hard for teachers to give all of their students all of the attention the need. You could try to help with some of the other students by answering questions and encouraging them.

I do not think this is a great solution because what happens when the volunteer leaves? I think it should be addressed to the teacher.

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Solution #8
I would confront the teacher in a scientific manner and explain that some of the behaviors students are exhibiting in the class are because they are wanting to access attention. Perhaps suggesting an intervention for their behaviors will make the teacher feel like you are not calling her out on picking favorites, but rather showing her how to be the more beneficial teacher for ALL of her students.
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