Success Favors Well-Prepared Teachers by Parker Todd Scott;Dowd Barnes Candice;Kohler-Evans Patricia;

Author:Parker, Todd Scott;Dowd Barnes, Candice;Kohler-Evans, Patricia;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Making Connections: Drivers

This may be obvious, but drivers drive. They steer the classroom climate, and sometimes, their peers’ behaviors. They attempt to build consensus with other students in an effort to challenge the teacher’s authority. How, then, should one engage this type of student? Let’s take a peek into Mr. Locklear’s classroom and see how he manages the interactions with a driver student. This scenario illustrates one ineffective way of interacting with a driver.

Bobby had a real knack for choosing the right time to challenge Mr. Locklear. His behavior usually led to at least half of the class criticizing Mr. Locklear’s attempts at matching wits with Bobby. In the past, Bobby had found a way to capitalize on grammatical errors on the board or when Mr. Locklear did not have enough copies for all students.

This particular time, early December, while nearly everyone was desperately seeking a much needed winter break, Mr. Locklear wasn’t in the most accepting and forgiving mood. Bobby proceeded to frankly explain to Mr. Locklear that yesterday’s substitute teacher had taught them a different method of adding and subtracting fractions.

“Look! Bobby, you may think that you are on to something, but I guarantee you that what the sub showed you won’t work always.” As usual, Bobby led the charge for 50 percent of the students who wanted to use this different method. A very forceful and incendiary reply from Bobby included, “So you really don’t care if we get the right answer or not...maybe we all should let our parents know you only want us to learn your way. . . . I think we should write the principal to let him know the sub was wrong.” Mr. Locklear replied abruptly, “I’m the only one with the diploma and master’s degree in here, people. I know what I’m doing so there’s no need for the principal. Thank you very much.”

Mr. Locklear, perturbed by his student’s dismissal of his instruction, decided to engage in a “bullfight” with Bobby in order to regain the steering wheel. In this context, a bullfight is when a male teacher attempts to engage in a game of one-upmanship with another male student. This is a highly ineffective approach that gives the power to the student and detracts from a healthy climate and a potentially positive relationship with the student. What would have been a more effective way for Mr. Locklear to handle this situation?

Mr. Locklear could have made his point to Bobby, as well as retained control of the class with a creative response. A response, such as, Mr. Locklear creating two problems, where the class uses the substitute’s formula and Mr. Locklear uses the more accurate formula would allow the students options. It does not diminish the substitute’s status and might possibly diminish Bobby’s desire to drive the classroom and his peers’ behavior. Bobby may retreat from the driver’s seat realizing that he has more to learn. Mr. Locklear could have continued to use this as a teachable moment by focusing Bobby’s

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