Case
Deviant Behaviors

Currently I am interning in a high school where I provide assistance to ESE students in the general education classroom setting and teach them in two learning strategies classes. The students are great in the general education setting, but not so great in the learning strategies classes. I have quite a few students who are very deviant with me when it comes to listening during instructional time and independent work time. I confronted my CT about the problems I am having with these students that chose not to listen to me. However, all she says to me is that because I am young I appear to be more of a peer than a teacher to them. The problems have continued to persist and my CT still does not seem to want to help me communicate to my students further about respecting me as their teacher too.

Posted on: 10/02/17 | Views: 759
Solution #1
I think you should be more direct with the students and teacher . She does not seem to respect you either, "because you are young". That is no reason for lack of respect from the students. If it is not resolved I would go to a higher up. I would definitely talk with her again first to get your point across.

If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this.

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Solution #2
It is unfair that your CT blames your appearance as to why your students will not listen, as oppose to help you grab their attention. I would try to be more stern with the students by creating a short list of rules and consequences that will be followed through independent work time. If a student breaks one of these rules, you must enforce the consequence so they students realize you are a teacher and not a peer.
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Solution #3
Honestly, I would say the first problem that you should address is the attitude of your CT. She should treat you with respect and be willing to come up with a solution with you, not make the situation worse. If nothing gets better, I would bring it up with your university supervisor and if you feel uncomfortable they will address your CT or even go up the next level to their administration.
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Solution #4
It is disappointing to hear that she would blame your age and not offer solutions. I would speak to your university supervisor regarding this issue and see if she offers any solutions. I would also try to identify the root of the problem with the students by talking to them. Are they defiant because they are bored or is something going on at home? Maybe they will vent to you and you can figure out solutions based on what they say. The students may be confused regarding an assignment, have home issues, or maybe they are not being challenged and want a different type of assignment. Best of luck!

I agree that it is disrespectful that she would blame your age as a reason that the students do not respect you. I think this solution of speaking with your university professor may lead to some great advice.

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Solution #5
I would look into more effective strategies to redirect the students, so that they listen to you. Furthermore, they may have something in their IEP's that can help guide you or provide more context into their misbehavior.
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Solution #6
I believe that maybe your CT does not know what to do about these issues and is maybe giving you that answer in reflection of that. Talk to your supervisor and find out different strategies you can use in order to talk to your CT about this problem. You can even try to implement a classroom management plan just on those few students.
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Solution #7
The word "deviant" means to move away from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behaviors. I'm not sure where the "deviant behaviors" come through in this case study. I believe you meant to say "defiant", meaning to be resistant. In this case scenario, I would recommend that you assert as an adult (as you are). If you don't go into the classroom with the confidence of a teacher, then they will not treat you as such.
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Solution #8
What does this deviant behavior look like? It could work to your advantage that you are closer to the age of the students. Don't take it personal that the CT said this to you.
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Solution #9
I would put your foot down make sure that they know you are just as much as a teacher as your CT. You can do this by threatening to contact there parents, sending them to the principles office or isolating them completely during class, lunch and recess.
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Solution #10
Since you have not stated what exactly the deviant behaviors are, I cannot give any specific solutions. Overall, I can say that it is inappropriate to say that you look young and therefore students do not respect you. All I can suggest is that you come to both students and coworkers with exact situations and issues to address them directly. Simply saying you aren't being respected or someone isn't listening to you is not enough to really address the issue.

I would never do this. This is wrong.

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