The Agitator
Mistakes: Common misjudgments and errors in managing the child which may perpetuate or intensify the problem.
- Openly and publicly accusing certain students of being agitators.
- Failing to see the real fear of being discovered that underlies the agitator's behavior.
- Believing the agitator's actions are directed personally toward us and, therefore, reacting personally toward the agitator and his/her behavior.
- Getting into an argument, causing division among the class.
- Issuing punishments to the group, causing strong student reactions.
- Jumping to the conclusion that the agitator is responsible for a current situation, based on past history.
- Overreacting to all incidents of criticism and calling them agitation.
- Making threats to stop the behavior and backing ourselves into a corner.
- Feeling that "I must have the last word if I am to be the winner."
- Becoming involved in a power play.
- Openly confronting the student in class. This action can only cause serious difficulty for all. And our concern about losing respect may readily become a reality.
- Accusing a student too harshly and/or in the presence of class members.
- Playing detective, and acting unfairly when we aren't able to pinpoint the culprit.
- Attacking the followers rather than confronting the agitator.