Lana Oconnell
Christian university instructors may face confrontational students who challenge their authority, act rudely, or express anti-Christian sentiments. While this can be difficult to navigate, it is important for instructors to maintain their position of authority and handle these situations calmly and professionally. Various strategies can be employed, such as discussing course expectations and classroom behavior, addressing the behavior publicly or privately, or seeking a resolution by understanding the student's perspective and working together towards a solution. Additionally, Christian instructors may also approach confrontations with grace and truth, reflecting their religious values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Instructors should remain calm and not raise their voice | To avoid escalating the situation and to maintain their position of authority |
| Instructors should not get other students involved | To avoid cornering the confrontational student and causing them to lash out |
| Instructors should take the student aside | To remove the audience and calmly talk through the issue |
| Instructors should admit the limitations of their knowledge | To respect the student's opinion and not overreact |
| Instructors should initiate the conflict resolution process | To acknowledge the power dynamic and take responsibility |
| Instructors should ask for the student's perspective | To work together to meet each other's needs and achieve goals |
| Instructors should emphasise humility and elevate the student's dignity | To communicate that they are concerned with the student's well-being |
| Instructors should communicate that they love the student no matter what | To show that the student is valued and created in God's image |
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What You'll Learn
Instructors should remain calm and not raise their voice
It can be challenging for instructors to deal with confrontational students, but it is important that they remain calm and do not raise their voice. This is because raising your voice will only escalate the situation and cause you to lose your position of authority. Instead, take a deep breath and remember that you are the authority figure. Speak in a quieter tone as the student gets louder.
Instructors should also be mindful of the power dynamic between themselves and their students. They should initiate the conflict resolution process and evaluate their actions and intentions. Instructors should ask themselves if their words or actions were disproportionately demanding or hurtful, and take responsibility for any harm caused.
It is also recommended to separate the student from the rest of the class to avoid having an audience. This can help to calm the situation and prevent the student from feeling cornered and lashing out. Instructors can then talk to the student calmly and work together to determine a resolution.
Additionally, it is important for instructors to recognise that students may be acting out due to confusion, stress, or a feeling of being unsupported. Having proactive discussions about course expectations and classroom behaviour can help lessen these concerns. Instructors should also be open to hearing the student's perspective and working together to find a solution that meets both their needs.
Instructors can also reflect Christian values in their approach to confrontation, emphasising grace, truth, and compassion. They should aim to understand where the student is coming from and listen to their concerns, just as they would want to be confronted with love and respect by another believer. Instructors should also communicate their concern for the student's well-being and let them know they are loved no matter what.
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Address the issue publicly or privately, depending on what's most comfortable
When dealing with confrontational students, it is important to remember that you are the authority figure in the situation. This means that losing your temper or raising your voice will only escalate the situation and cause you to lose your position of authority. Instead, it is recommended to do the opposite and speak more quietly as the student gets louder.
There are a few different approaches you can take when addressing the issue. If the problem stems from one or two individuals, you could begin with a gentle admonition and then, if the behaviour continues, address the problem more forcefully. One way to do this is to take the student(s) aside after class to discuss the issue privately. Alternatively, you could address the behaviour publicly by stopping the class and directing a hard look or pointed comment at the problematic student. However, it is important to consider the nature of the problem and the student(s) in question, and choose the approach that feels most comfortable to you.
If you feel that your personal intentions and impact are misaligned, it may be beneficial to ask for help from other faculty or staff members. This could be in the form of a parent-teacher conference, or simply to gain advice on how to handle the situation. It is also important to remember that most students are not intentionally trying to cause a problem, but may be feeling confused, stressed, or unsupported. Therefore, having proactive discussions around course expectations and classroom behaviour at the beginning of the semester can help to lessen these concerns.
When addressing the issue, it is important to remain calm and respectful, and to hear the student out. Ask them to explain their rationale and provide evidence to support their views. You can then work together to come to a resolution, and follow up with the student to ensure that the issue has been adequately addressed. This can be a great opportunity to connect more deeply with the student and to promote their growth in character and faith.
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Avoid involving other students
When dealing with confrontational students, it is important to remember that losing your temper will only escalate the situation. It is imperative that you remain calm and remember that you are the authority figure.
One of the most important things to avoid when dealing with a confrontational student is involving other students. For example, if a student is accusing you of something you did or did not say, do not turn to the rest of the class to ask them what you said. The confrontational student might feel backed into a corner and lash out even more. Instead, calmly let the student know that you are happy to speak with them about the situation once they have calmed down. Ask them to step outside so you can talk to them away from the class. By removing the audience, you can talk with the student about their issues and try to come to a resolution.
It is important to recognise that the student is upset and to talk with them calmly to determine the best resolution to the problem. You can also ask if they have any ideas for a solution. During these conversations, it is important to remember that they may hold more weight for the student than for you. You can recommend resources or follow up with the student after the fact to check in and see if they need additional support.
In some cases, it may be necessary to call a parent-teacher conference to deal with the situation. Include administration and guidance if you feel it is necessary. Together, you can create a plan for dealing with the student and helping them with any anger management issues.
Remember that your role as an instructor is to support your students and promote conflict resolution. While confrontations can be scary, they can also be an opportunity for offending students to connect more deeply with you and their classmates, and to engage more fully with the course content.
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Discuss course expectations and classroom behaviour
When dealing with confrontational students, it is important to remember that you are the authority figure in the situation. This means that you should not lose your temper, as this will escalate the situation and cause you to lose your position of authority. Instead, take a deep breath and remain calm.
To prevent confrontations, it is a good idea to discuss course expectations and classroom behaviour at the beginning of the semester. This can include listing expectations in your course syllabus. For example, you could outline your policy on the use of laptops. If a student is breaking one of these expectations, you could begin with a gentle admonition, such as asking them to put away their drink. If the behaviour continues, you could then address the problem more forcefully.
If a student is challenging your authority, it is important to remember that you do not need to be perfect. Admit the limitations of your knowledge and tell the class that you will look into the issue further. Ask the student to explain their rationale and provide evidence to support their views. Hear them out, and be respectful of their opinion, but also ask them to respect your position as the instructor.
If the problem stems from one or two individuals, you could take them aside after class to discuss the issue. Alternatively, you could address the behaviour publicly by asking the student to confine their comments to the material being discussed. However, do not get other students involved in the confrontation, as this will only escalate the situation. Instead, calmly explain to the student that you will be happy to speak with them once they have calmed down. You could ask them to step outside and have a private conversation, where you can talk about their issues and try to come to a resolution.
Remember that the student may be acting confrontationally because they are feeling confused, stressed, or unsupported. Ask them if they have any ideas for a solution and work together to meet each other's needs. You could also suggest other ways for them to deal with their emotions, such as asking to speak with you quietly instead of shouting in class.
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Approach the student with grace and truth, and point them to Jesus
When dealing with confrontational students, it is important to remember that, as a Christian instructor, you should approach the student with grace and truth and point them towards Jesus. This means that, while it is important to remain calm and not lose your temper, you should also be firm and direct in addressing the issue.
Firstly, it is important to recognise that the student may be acting out due to confusion, stress, or feelings of being unsupported. Initiate a private conversation with the student, away from the classroom, to understand their concerns and perspectives. Ask them to explain their rationale and provide evidence for their views, and actively listen to their response. This shows that you respect their opinion and are approaching the situation with humility and grace.
However, it is also important to be truthful. If the student is in the wrong, gently correct them, pointing them towards Jesus and the truth of God's Word. Forgive them for any wrong committed, and communicate that you love them and want what is best for them, no matter their failures or sins. Emphasise their dignity and worth as a person created in God's image, and redeemed by His blood.
Additionally, it is important to acknowledge your own limitations as an instructor. If you are unsure of the best way to handle the situation, seek help from other faculty or staff members. Remember that your goal is to guide the student towards growth in character and faith, and to foster deeper connections with you and their classmates.
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Frequently asked questions
Christian university instructors should handle confrontational students with grace and truth, pointing them to Jesus and forgiving them for any wrongdoings. Instructors should also remain calm, not raise their voice, and avoid getting other students involved.
Students may challenge an instructor's authority to test them, to flex their intellectual muscle, or to show off to classmates. This is more likely to occur if the instructor's authority is already in question, or if the student body is particularly aggressive or demanding.
Instructors should focus on what is best for each student and put aside any petty feelings about past confrontations. They can also have proactive discussions about course expectations and classroom behaviour and ask the student for their perspective and ideas for a solution.
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