Confrontational Students: Christian University Instructors' Approach

Teaching is a challenging profession, and one of the most daunting aspects is dealing with confrontational students. While confrontations are not an everyday occurrence, most teachers will have to navigate a student acting belligerently and speaking out in class at some point. This scenario can be especially tricky for Christian university instructors, who must balance their faith and values with their duty of care to students. In this essay, we will explore strategies for handling confrontational students in a Christian university setting, drawing on both educational theory and Christian teachings to outline an approach that prioritises grace, truth, and compassion.

Don't lose your temper or raise your voice

Losing your temper or raising your voice is a surefire way to escalate a confrontational situation with a student. Here are some strategies to help you keep your cool and handle the situation effectively:

Remain Calm and Don't Lose Your Temper:

• Take a deep breath and remember your position as the authority figure in the classroom. Losing your temper will only serve to escalate the situation and lower yourself to the student's level.
• This can be challenging, but it is crucial to maintain your composure and model the behaviour you want to see from your students.

Don't Raise Your Voice:

• Instead of raising your voice, try speaking quieter as the student gets louder. This tactic helps you maintain control of the situation and appear less confrontational, which can help to calm the student down.
• It is natural to want to raise your voice when faced with a challenging situation, but doing so will only make the situation worse.

Address the Issue Privately:

• After the initial confrontation, consider calling a private meeting with the student. By removing the audience, you can discuss the issue calmly and work towards a resolution.
• During this meeting, acknowledge that the student is upset and use active listening techniques to help de-escalate the situation.

Respond Immediately:

• While it is important not to react defensively, it is crucial to address the behaviour immediately. Ignoring or allowing unacceptable behaviour to continue will only erode your authority in the classroom.
• Address the class as a whole, outlining what is and is not acceptable behaviour. If the problem stems from a particular student or students, consider addressing them directly but respectfully.

Be Respectful and Legitimise the Issue:

• Hear the student out and be respectful of their opinion, even if you disagree. Ask them to explain their rationale and provide evidence for their views.
• By approaching the interaction as a teaching opportunity, you can defuse the situation and strengthen your credibility with the class.

Seek Support:

• If the situation is escalating and you feel it is necessary, don't hesitate to call for additional support. Contact your department head, campus security, or the police if the situation becomes a safety concern.
• Remember, your primary goal is to create a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment for all students.

By following these strategies, Christian university instructors can effectively handle confrontational students while maintaining a calm and respectful demeanour.

Avoid involving other students

When dealing with a confrontational student, it is important to avoid involving other students. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

Do Not Get Other Students Involved

If a student is accusing you of something you did or did not say, refrain from turning to the rest of the class to confirm what you said. This may cause the confrontational student to feel cornered and lash out further. Instead, calmly respond that you are willing to speak with them about the situation once they have calmed down. By addressing the issue privately, you can better understand their concerns and work towards a resolution.

Privately Speak to the Student

Step outside the classroom with the student to remove the audience. This allows for a more calm and focused discussion. Acknowledge that you understand their frustration and use active listening techniques to help de-escalate the situation. Work together to determine a resolution and then assist the student in reintegrating into the classroom environment.

Do Not Lose Your Temper

It is crucial to maintain your composure and authority as the instructor. Take a deep breath and remember your position as the authority figure. Losing your temper and shouting will only escalate the situation and undermine your position.

Do Not Raise Your Voice

Instead of raising your voice, speak quieter as the student gets louder. This helps to keep the situation under control and prevents it from escalating further. It also helps to project an image of calmness and authority.

Respond Immediately

While it is important to remain calm, it is also crucial to address the issue promptly. Ignoring unacceptable behavior will erode your authority and may embolden the student. Address the class as a whole to delineate acceptable behavior or speak privately with the student to correct their behavior.

Speak to the student privately

Speaking to a student privately is a good way to address disruptive behaviour without causing the student to feel cornered in front of their peers. It is important to remain calm and not to raise your voice when dealing with a confrontational student. By taking the student aside, you can explain how their actions are negatively impacting the class, referring to the course policies and the college's code of conduct. This approach can help to de-escalate the situation and encourage the student to calm down.

When speaking to the student, it is important to use active listening techniques and acknowledge that you understand they are upset. Try to determine the root cause of their behaviour and work together to find a resolution. This could involve offering support and resources, such as tutoring or study groups, or encouraging the student to develop independent problem-solving skills.

If the student is being unmotivated, unprepared, or dependent, it is important to set clear boundaries and expectations. Emphasise the importance of preparation and participation, and consider implementing low-stakes quizzes or assignments to help them stay on track. Offer additional resources, such as tutoring services or study groups, to help them improve their performance.

If the student is being disruptive or attention-seeking, redirect their energy by giving them specific tasks or roles in class discussions. Privately discuss their behaviour and its impact on the class dynamic, encouraging them to contribute in more constructive ways.

Remember to approach the student with grace and truth, extending compassion and firmness. As Christians are called to love everyone, approach the conversation with the student with this in mind, offering gentle correction when needed.

Call for additional adult assistance if the situation is escalating

If a student is becoming confrontational, it is important to call for additional adult assistance if the situation is escalating. This is particularly important if the student is becoming aggressive, throwing things, hitting others, or threatening violence. The safety of the instructor and other students must be the top priority.

Instructors should not be afraid to call campus security or the police if a student is acting in a hostile, intimidating, or threatening manner. It is also important to report any incidents to the department head and campus security, and to document the details for future reference. This documentation can be crucial for taking further action and ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

If the student is not posing an immediate physical threat but is still disrupting the class, the instructor may first try to address the behaviour privately. They can speak to the student outside the classroom, explain how their actions are negatively impacting the class, and refer to the course policies and the college's code of conduct. If the behaviour continues or escalates, the instructor can then involve the department head or another college authority.

Instructors should also be mindful of their own behaviour and try to model the behaviour they want to see. They should avoid being aggressive or argumentative themselves, and instead voice disagreement respectfully. It is also important to remain calm and not raise their voice, as this can escalate the situation.

Refer to the course syllabus and policies

When dealing with confrontational students, it is important to remain calm and not raise your voice. Take a deep breath and remember that you are the authority figure. Speak to the student privately and acknowledge that they are upset, then work together to calmly determine a resolution to the problem. Use active listening techniques and, if necessary, involve the student's parents or guardians.

When dealing with a confrontational student, it is important to refer to the course syllabus and policies. At the beginning of the course, clearly outline the scope and objectives of the course, as well as your expertise and invitation for students to share their own. This will help manage student expectations and reduce challenges to your authority.

If a student is being disruptive, such as talking excessively, interrupting others, or making inappropriate comments, refer to the course policies and the college's code of conduct. Explain how their actions negatively impact the class and, if the behaviour persists, report the issue to your department head.

If a student is being aggressive, exhibiting hostile, intimidating, or threatening behaviour, prioritise the safety of yourself and other students. Do not hesitate to call campus security or the police and report any incidents to your department head.

For unmotivated students who show little interest in the course, fail to complete assignments, or frequently miss classes, refer to the syllabus and course policies regarding academic performance. Reach out to the student privately to discuss their performance and offer support and resources, such as tutoring or study groups.

If a student is demanding special treatment, arguing about grades, or disregarding course policies, be firm and consistent in enforcing the syllabus, course policies, and grading standards. Explain the reasoning behind your decisions and, if the student becomes confrontational, involve your department head or the appropriate college authority.

Frequently asked questions