Dear Teachers,
I am seeking some advice this week writing to you. A lot has happened this past week at 123 Elementary. To start off the week a second grader consistently punched and kicked a boy on the playground. This was my first instance with students fighting. At first I was shocked, scared, and disappointed. I like how staff dealt with this problem by immediately removing the child and class from the scene, suspension, and counseling for both students. My question to you is, what would you of done if this would have happened in your classroom? Do you have a classroom management plan for violence? Do you have any stories you would like to share that involve your experience with violence in the classroom?
As I was asking myself these questions and I thought of how this incidence connects to my Teaching Exceptional Students class. In this class we learn about diverse learners and receive teacher tips on how to understand their impairments and know what to do with it so they are successful learners. I am curious about the students who are very angry at such a young age, like the student who was violent. I am trying to find a reason but my mind is blank. If you have any suggestions please inform me!
Another thing that happened this past week was notification from a parent that there a bully in the classroom. This, again, was very disappointing to me. I knew what the parent was talking about but I never really thought of the student as being a bully, just a strong personality. I thought about it more and realized it could be a bully situation but the student, who's parent came in, is also very sensitive. Both personalities play a big factor as if the student is being a bully or not. In the end, I do not like how the student is feeling because I believe the classroom should be a safe, friendly environment. One student was making it not safe and not friendly and that needed to change.
As my collaborating teacher was thinking of a plan on how to deal with this, I was reflecting on what I would have done. I was lost at any thoughts. During my classroom management class there was really no solution to bullies in the classroom. My professor never told us what to do. The only thing I could think of was following up with my classroom management plan, separating the students, talking individually to the students, and placing an intervention plan. Any suggestions for how you deal with bullies? I want to have a plan implemented in my classroom for when a circumstance may occur.
Thank you for your help teachers! It is greatly appreciated by myself and my future students!
Hopefully none of you have this probably in your classroom,
Miss Hester
