Case
Student teacher lunch

I have a student who comes to my classroom and wants to eat lunch with me every day. She comes in and asks to have a "bite" of my sandwich, or for me to split my food with her. I started locking the door but she knows I am in there and will continue to knock will I open the door. She has friends to eat with, but I think she just does not like the cafeteria food and wants my lunch instead. She does not come in and talk to me either, she just sits on her phone and asks me to walk with her to a restaurant close to the school and buy her food. What do I do with this student? Do I continue to give her my food, or do I put my foot down?

Posted on: 10/08/18 | Views: 1024
Solution #1
Top Solution
While it may seem to be mean, I would put my foot down. Before doing so, I would look into why the student is scrounging for food and asking you to buy her food close by. It may be that the student is not provided a lunch or money to buy it with and does not wish to ask her friends for either. She may see you as a parental figure. Whatever the reason, I would attempt to remedy it and insist on her going with her peers for lunches now on. Perhaps sitting in another classroom for lunch for the first few days of transition to dissuade her from knocking on your door.

I think this is the best solution and that you should have a talk with the student to let them know that this cannot continue. I would do exactly this if i were in this situation

I believe that this could be the only way to solve the issue. Sure you will sympathize with them and feel bad, but you have to eat too!

In addition, I would consult with the guidance counselor at your school to see what suggestions they have. They may want to reach out to the student or the family to see where the issue is stemming from. The guidance counselor can provide resources to both the teacher and the family to remedy this situation. Keep in mind, this student may not have the best family/home support. They may miss meals, lack emotional support, or experience abusive actions at home. Tread carefully with this situation, as the student may be extremely fragile.

I most definitely agree. You need to put your foot down.

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Solution #2
You definitely need to put your foot down and talk with her about the situation. Maybe she is bullied in the cafeteria and does not wish to be around her peers. Also, it is strange that she does not sit and talk with you or confide in you about anything she is going through. Maybe she has troubles at home and I think it is necessary that you discuss with her that this behavior is not okay.

I agree, I think there is sense of safety and security with eating in your room

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Solution #3
While it may be harsh, you need to put your foot down and end this immediately. This behavior is completely inappropriate and can cause serious implications if not addressed.
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Solution #4
I feel like in this situation, you have to put your foot down. Yes there may be something going on in her household that you may not know about, but if you do not put your foot down then it will keep on going. The best thing to do is contacting their parents about the situation. If that does not work, then contact the administrator.
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Solution #5
I would say put your foot down, but there also could be an underlying issue that is causing this. Investigating or talking to a school social worker about this behavior may be essential to see if something is causing this issue.
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Solution #6
If this student has the means to provide her own lunch I think that you should put your foot down and stop buying her lunch. You should explain that it is inappropriate to buy her lunch and to spend the lunch time with her and that although you appreciate your relationship it must stay appropriate and fair to the other students
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Solution #7
I would recommend putting your foot down but talking to the student and the guidance counselor to try to sometime out for the student.
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Solution #8
It would seem like an inappropriate relationship,even if you don't want it. I would shut it down before it gets out of hand, you're their teacher not their parent. You put your foot down and make sure she stays in the cafeteria for lunch.
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Solution #9
Stop giving the student your food. This is inappropriate.
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Solution #10
Just like the other solutions, I would put my foot down and tell her that even though she may enjoy spending lunch in your classroom, that she is becoming inappropriate. Otherwise, it will never stop and may get more serious.
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Solution #11
I would pull the student aside and let them know that lunch time is your private time to eat and complete tasks without distraction.
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Solution #12
Put your foot down, but kindly
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Solution #13
This is a problem already proposed by a different user.
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Solution #14
You should have a discussion with the student. Put your foot down and explain that her behavior cannot continue.
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Solution #15
I would definitely talk to the class about how a teacher/student lunch is an earned privilege. I would continue t lock the door and I will talk to her about why I can not share or buy her food. For it is not safe and appropriate to have this kind of relationship.
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Solution #16
Sounds like you created the problem... Now you have to fix it. Too many red flags here. 1. the student needs to eat with the other students. 2. You don't walk anywhere off-campus with her for anything. Lines have to be drawn. Your the teacher who could lose everything if one bad allegation or perspective is made. The student has nothing to lose but the disappointment of what happens when you don't get up early enough to pack your lunch.
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Solution #17
Definitely I will put my foot down and tell the students that you need your alone time at lunch, the student need to bring her own lunch or eat in cafeteria food and you need to call the parents to let them know that this is happening and inform also the administrators.
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Solution #18
I feel like this is fairly black and white and, while slightly harsh, you need to just put your foot down and end this. It is inappropriate that she in engaging in this behavior.
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