Currently I am doing my student teaching in a special ed resource room in a junior high. For the most part I have been able to establish good relationships with the students that I work with. However, there is one student who no matter what I try, she refuses to let me help her. Often times students will come down to take tests in this room for a quiter space, or for extra assistance with directions or understanding questions. When this particular student comes down to take tests, she gives me the silent treatment. I ask her if she would like any assistance and she just stares at me angrily and refuses to speak. I tell her that I am more than happy to help her out but she will cover up her paper and give me more angered looks. I walk away to give her some space, but when I come back over I can clearly see that she does not understand the directions or concepts that are being asked. My cooperating teacher’s policy is that she needs to ask, and if she refuses, we don’t help her. Somehow I think there could be a better solution to this but I am not sure what that would be. Am I just supposed to watch her come down and fail every test because she won’t ask for help?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
This is not going to be easy. You need to determine why such a policy has been adopted for this child before you go any further. Ask the teacher for help in this. As a student teacher you should have university resources and people to assist you - use them. Do not forge ahead on your own as it may backfire and potentially damage your own career. You clearly are looking out for the student’s best interests and that is commendable (not to mention desirable!) but proceed with caution for your own sake and do not get caught up in the middle of something over which you may have no control. Perhaps you could volunteer to spend extra time with this child - maybe one of your professors could suggest a way to get more involved as part of your education.