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Home : 2001 : November : 27

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By kristy

Dear New 5th grade teacher,
First, let me tell you that you are in a very tough situation -- I know you already know that, but sometimes, after we've been in "it" for awhile and begin to feel other people wearing out on
us, we can begin to doubt whether the situation is that challenging or if we are just in some way incompetent. I think you have voiced an attitude of genuine concern and a will to make adjustments -- marks of a great teacher!
I have to think that if you could remove the chaos that this one little guy causes, eventually, you would regain control of your learning environment. Now how

to do that...

I'm sure you have had many meetings about this child and that at this point everything is on hold until "the evaluation" is completed. 504 plans can be adjusted and added to. You need a plan that works for you -- the plan is not just documention to give license for a kid being totally disruptive. I don't know if you can do this,(I mean, if your personality or heart can bear to be this strong) but I would suggest putting yourself in charge, so to speak, of the situation. Call a meeting, bring in everyone who is working with this kid. YOU run the meeting, have an agenda. The crux of the meeting would be: "Yes, we are waiting for the evaluation, but in the meantime, we need to make a plan for this child that will be beneficial to him and to the class. This plan is not forever, just until an evalution can give us clearer direction. The truth is an evaluation is going to explain his behavior to us and hopefully give us some tools. In the meantime, we do know many things already and we need to act on what we do know. {a side note here -- given the many diagnosis that you listed, what is the evaluation for? You know a lot already!} Negative patterns are being created and the longer we continue, the more ingrained they become." One thing to remember(and point out) is that his foster mom has only to think about him and that is her responsibility, the principal is thinking about the whole school and all the parents, YOU are the one with the perspective of the other 25 kids in your room, of which he is only 1 and that this is your responsibility. So, you say, "I've come up with a brainstormed list of options for us to consider and choose from." Then you share your list, ask for other ideas and then force a decision. Do not let this be put off.

Here are some of the options I would suggest and point out that the real advantage of having a plan is that everyone knows what to expect and everyday won't need to be spent troubleshooting. With a plan in place the kid loses a lot of disruptive power. These things may not fix his behavior or treat the problems, but they do remove the disruptive element and give consistency which he probably needs very much.
-home schooling until the eval is done
-reduced day (he comes in the morning, but goes home right after lunch) - the fact that he is most disruptive during your LA block would indicate that by that time of day he can no longer cope
-he comes to school, but will have to go home if he is sent to the principal's office (it is no different than being sick -- he is not in a condition that allows him to be successful at school) I know this sounds harsh, but it is sometimes the most effective way to move parents to get something done. When their life becomes effected, they "get it".
-associate support -- temporarily, until the eval is done. My experience is that if you can identify a specific block of time or tasks that you need help with, you will be more successful with your request. Further, one of the other plans should be in place until the associate can be hired.
-if an associate is not an option, SOMEONE (the guidance counselor, the resource teacher, the custodian, the principal, the mother .... someone) has to be in your classroom or take him somewhere else to help this kid during these (be specific) times.
-you can teach the child 1:1 if the school will hire a sub for your classroom (of course, this is not what you really want, but you are brainstorming and you do want to consider every option that would be helpful to the child and your whole class)

Maybe others here on the board will have more suggestions for your list. Mostly, I want to encourage you determine that you and your class will no longer be victims, but that in fact, you have been given the responsibility to see that your whole class has the opportunity to learn and you are going to find a way for that to happen for everyone.

good luck! Let me know if I haven't been clear or if you have any questions.