Tough spot

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Home : 2003 : January : 31

Tough spot
By Julianne

You're in a tough spot. You can see what the other teacher is doing wrong, but you have to find a way to help her without looking like a know-it-all or alienating her. I read your post twice and still don't have much of
a suggestion. You are right, of course, that this teacher isn't respecting her learner. And it would be a kindness if someone could find a way to teach her this skill. Maybe you could start by setting some rules for how she must drop students off in your room. We have buddy rooms in our school where a frustrated teacher can leave a disagreeable child until both of them calm down, or

until the child finishes work. But there are rules. Teachers are to respect the needs of the other classroom teacher. Could you start your conversation with her by suggesting that you'd appreciate it if she could have already completed her instructions to her student before he/she is dropped in your room? If she persists in yelling at a child as she enters your room you can ask her, quietly, to step into the hall so you can continue with your work. "I need to ask you to finish your conversation out in the hall." or something like that. It's harder to yell at someone out in the hall where everyone can hear you. Or you can approach the pair of them and quietly ask what you can do to help. Sometimes just the presence of a calm, caring individual will help.

If your students are the older ones you might assign a helper to give any needed instruction to a struggling drop-off. If you have younger students you might make one of your rules that the teacher needs to quickly summarize (in front of you and the student) just what needs to be completed. That way the child gets a recap of what they're supposed to do. You can tell her you need her to do this because you are occasionally unclear on what she needs the child to do.

Well, I hope others have some good ideas, because we've all known this teacher. She crops up in every school from time to time and she makes us all crazy. I am sorry she's in YOUR school this year - but glad she's not here!