Veteran teacher with 50 years of experience reveals ultimate trick to handle ‘difficult’ kids
Every classroom or batch has a few students who are super hard to deal with. A general response to this bunch is to ignore them or reprimand them. However, Ann Campbell (@annjcampbell), who has been teaching for 50 years, has a rather different approach, per TODAY. Known as the “Passionate Teacher” on TikTok, she revealed that she has been using an unusual method that has been working for years. Contrary to what one might believe, it is an approach that is a game-changer. Campbell explained that in her career of over 50 years, she has taught across 23 schools. She has had students who were difficult to deal with.
Some who wouldn’t listen, others who couldn’t and wouldn’t keep up and still a few who would disrupt the entire class. The cons of having such kids in a classroom are many. However, Campbell came up with a different solution. Long before she can get into the classroom, the teacher takes a look at her list of students and investigates who is the most challenging. It’s easy to pick out those who have a bad reputation or are just a nuisance to the class. However, she also investigates something more. “What is something this child does well?” she asks. She contacts previous teachers, does her own research to find at least one good quality in them. Be it a hobby, a skill, or anything.
Campbell explained that many often use the details they’ve found out against the student. “They say you should give them a clean slate. No. Knowledge is power. But it should not be used against them,” the teacher explained. She instead uses it in favor of them. In her first meeting, she personally greets the child. “For example, I say, ‘Hey, are you Johnny? I’ve heard something about you,'” Campbell shared. In retrospect, the student thinks complaints are coming but this teacher takes them by surprise. “‘You’re that good football player!’ and their facial expression changes,” she remarked.
They’re probably feeling on top of the world. Here is a teacher doing the complete opposite and actually complimenting? It forces the student to reflect on their good attributes and the image the teacher has of them. Campbell follows up by keeping in touch with these talents or skills. “Immediately, you’re off to a good start,” the teacher explained. And because the student is in favor of that image created, they might behave well. But Campbell’s work doesn’t end there. She noted that it is crucial to observe these kids and make the “good news” phone call or email to their parents as soon as they do something nice, even if it’s really small or simple.
“If they’ve been good all week, you tell them, ‘I’m calling your parents.’ ‘I’m not doing anything.’ ‘Yes, you are! You’re doing your work, you’re behaving, and they need to know that!” she shared. The teacher actually calls and while parents are expecting to hear an earful again, instead, they receive good news. According to the Child Mind Institute, kids who throw tantrums or act out are often labeled as disruptive. However, it could be the case that they’re dealing with something like trauma, ADHD or other issues. Instead of labeling it, it is crucial to understand and address the root cause.
Laura Prager, MD, director of the Child Psychiatry Emergency Service at Massachusetts General Hospital, mentioned that kids with anxiety could act out as disruptively. “Particularly with kids who may not have words to express their feelings, or because no one is listening to them, they might manifest their anxiety with behavioral dysregulation.” In her decades of using this method, Campbell noted that she has never seen this method fail. @kurlyhairkilla said, “It’s teachers like you that changed my life. I was such a bad kid and two teachers believed in me, and it completely changed me.” @djtrinnywoo added, “They labeling theory. If you tell a child they are bad, that’s what they will be.”
@annjcampbell #teachersoftiktok #teacher #behaviormanagement #classroommanagement #middleschool ♬ original sound - PassionateTeacher
You can follow Ann Campbell (@annjcampbell) on TikTok for more content on teaching.
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