refusal

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Home : 2003 : September : 12

refusal
By Former Teacher

While the other posters' responses are helpful, I think the point is that some students won't do what the teacher asks no matter what. Having taught middle school/junior high for seven years, I know what Pat is referring
to. Giving a student a choice is useless if the student refuses to do either thing. Asking a student to stay in at lunch doesn't work either; s/he will simply not show up.
Calling parents sometimes works, but in my experience, the students who behaved this way in school usually had parents who didn't know how to deal with them, either.
Sorry to be so cynical, but this was one of the

reasons I am now "Former Teacher." Other teachers seemed to be able to get their students to behave, but I never could. Other people's suggested classroom management techniqes never worked for me.

I have GREAT respect for those of you who are still out there in the trenches. If I ever have children in school, I will always think about my own experiences when meeting with their teachers.

Anyway, I'm sorry I don't have any advice for the original poster. You are in a difficult situation. I do agree with the suggestion to make contact with their parents; just don't expect it to solve all your problems.

Good luck to you. Eighth grade is tough, but they are probably the neediest kids out there. Show them that you care about them, and they will probably start to shape up.