I'm out of my league here

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Home : 2002 : March : 8

I'm out of my league here
By Eilene

both in grade level and in experience with this type of thing but I do have one observation about your post.

You say, "The principal told me to just send him to the office when he acts up. He'll watch him."

It seems to
me that if the principal is willing to take on the burden of "watching him", then that is the *principal's* problem. You're problem is teaching the children. If you can not teach with him in the room and he spends a majority of his time in the principal's office, then that is the principal's problem and not yours. If the child *likes* going to the principal's office, that is also not

really your problem. I would guess that after a certain amount of time the principal will tire of this "solution" and suggest something more appropriate. In the mean time, at least the rest of the children in your class would be learning. I know that sounds kind of cold, but it seems colder to let the other children miss out on their education because this one child refuses to behave. Its not that you don't have any responsibility for this one child, but it sounds as if you have knocked yourself out and tried your best to no avail. It seems possible that the one who needs time to "come around" is the principal and then the child's behavior would follow as a natural consequence.

Anyway, not sure if that makes any sense. I'm new to teaching so I can't say that I've had experience with your situation or that I'm qualified to be giving this advice. It just seems to me that you should decide who's problem is whose so that you don't drive yourself crazy taking on responsibilities for problems that aren't yours and that you can't do anything about (like the principal's attitude).