AboutPatricia Ireland-Williams Expertise I am a retired K-12 Public School Principal (8 years as a teacher and counselor) and 23 years as an administrator. I can help parents with questions about how the system works, provide ideas on how to solve school issues or assist teachers in coping with the plethera of stressors they face.
Experience I am currently an educational consultant and have served on the State of Arizona Solutions Team.
Question Courtney refuses to do anything. She doesn’t do her homework, she doesn’t do her class work, she doesn’t respond to questions in class, and she has gotten so she doesn’t even answer test and quiz questions. I have met with her one-on-one, I have been supportive with her, I have fussed at her, I have begged her, I have rationalized with her, and I have met with her parent. Nothing has worked. I can’t really describe her as a discipline problem in the traditional sense because she doesn’t act out. She just sits in the back of the room (where she has been all year) and either sleeps or puts on make-up. Proximity strategies can’t seem to engage her, nor do visual and verbal cues. I am being observed next week and the assistant principal has just told me that she expects to see all students engaged.
What actions can I take to assure that Courtney is engaged in the lesson next week? Could you recommend any behavioral or educational theories that might help me better diagnose her problem?
Answer Hopefully, Courtney understands that she is going to fail your class if she continues to behave in this manner. Because I do not know the grade level or subject you teach, I am unable to give specific stategies.
I do not believe in changing what happens in the classroom just because the Principal is coming..........every time a teacher did this when I observed, it was SO OBVIOUSLY contrived. I would begin engaging Courtney immediately by asking her to be your assistant..............passing papers, helping monitor an activity, grading papers, being a team leader, running an errand to the office etc....hopefully this will give her a sense of importance. I would also praise her for a job well done and let her know how what she is doing is helping you. This has worked in the past.........if it doesn't work for you, I would talk to the A.P. and tell him/her about your concern and all you have done to motivate her and ask them to provide some assistance.
I terms of diagnosis, I would suggest that you have a Referral conference with the School Psychologist, Counselor, Parent, Student and Principal so that the team can assist.
