Thursday, March 20, 2008
Teaching Scenario
You've just collected journals containing two weeks' worth of entries. One of your students, who is typically reserved but does quality work, has written some things are quite disconcerting. His writing seems disjointed and contains some violent images. What do you do? How do you determine whether the student has crossed the line from creative expression to the potential for alarming behavior?
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4 comments:
Kevin here. I couldn't help responding to Dr. Phegley's scenario here about the student who has left disturbing material in their journal. I believe this is a potential situation we all may face in our teaching futures. First, I would argue that a series of questions must be answered: Have I, as teacher, posted a very clear policy regarding private and/or potentially threatening material in student journals? If so, what does my policy dictate the course of action should be? For argument's sake, let's say the policy states that if material is found in a journal which can be interpreted to be potentially harmful to that student, or others, then I must file a report with the school's guidance counselor and principal. Now, how do I determine whether or not the material is potentially a warning sign of trouble to come? First, i must consider the material itself. What's going on here? Does the material make obvious threats to anyone, or is the stuff more implied? Secondly, I would consider the history of the material I usually get from this student, as well as the student's history as well. Is this student an at risk student? Finally, I would consider the potential implications of any questionable material in light of recent school violence. Ultimately, I would exercise caution, and probably, at the very least, submit the material and the student's name to the high school guidance counselor. In the end, the student's safety, and the safety of others is more important than any perceived breach of trust between mt student and myself. -Kevin
I agree with Kevin that it is important to have a policy regarding journals, and the students should know the consequences of posting material that the teacher deems inappropriate for him/her to be reading. However, I have admitted some things in my journals to teachers while in high school that were moderately violent (aka I'd love to punch my step-mom in the face, and the like) and I was never taken to the guidance counselor or received any talking to from the teacher. This may be because everyone in our small school knew that we (my step-mom and I) did not get along, and that I wasn't serious. Thus, I think that it is pertinent to either know your students well (if possible) and judge whether they are being serious or not, if it is a small issue or threat. However, it would also be awful to be the teacher who didn't turn in the student who then did the very thing he or she threatened to do. So I would judge the severity of the comment, and then talk to the student about its inappropriateness. If the student seemed troubled or defensive, I would remind the student that they broke the code, and I would turn it in to the school counselor.
I agree! There should be a policy put in place regarding journals. As Missy has stated before- let your students know that you will read their journals and that if there is something in them that suggests harm against- someone else, you, etc.- than action will be taken. I also believe that it is important to speak with the student and possibly try to find an understanding of why this material was included within his journal. If nothing progresses from the conversation- then I would consider notifying the counselor. It is important to understand our students and to try to find a common ground- for understanding each other. Therefore, I would speak with the student before making any rash decisons.
I think all three people make good points. You should be explicit in laying down expectations/rules/consequences for stuff written in journals. You should also try to get to know your students pretty well. Finally, I most agree with what Jenny said about approaching the student before making any decisions. I think that most of the time, anything you get like that in a journal will be just an emotional outburst that your students don't really mean to follow through with. Knowing your students well can help you make that decision. If it seems to be something that might not be just a joke, I think you should just approach the kid before or after class when not many other students are around, and let them know, "Hey, what you wrote in your journal about _________... That was some pretty serious stuff, do you have a few minutes to come in/stay after class and talk to me about it?" Obviously, if the student put it in the journal, they wanted you to know about it. If it is a cry for attention or an attempt to get someone to stop them, just the simple act of asking them about it, letting them know you read it, could make all the difference. If the student won't talk to you about it and you really think it's threatening, then you should go ahead and turn it in to the administration. If they will talk to you about it, you can refer them to the guidance counselor if they need some help. I know it's not our jobs to be counselors, but we should be able to show our kids that we care, and they should know that they can come to us for help if they need it (so far as is appropriate, of course).
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