Lack of respect for peri teachers, How to assert your authority on students you don't teach? Options

[Beagle]

Hello all,

I have been a peri teacher at couple of schools now and have enjoyed it so far. However, I often find myself being harassed by male students who go to the school but don't learn piano from me. They open doors to my room while a lesson is going on and when I get angry and ask them not to interrupt they'd bang on doors and run away. One boy a while back even pulled down his pants when I went outside the room! I got very angry and have shouted at them but it didn't seem to have much effect.

The head of music has been very helpful and have told these boys off in a firm manner and have taken them to the principal and called the parents. However she can't be there to watch over them all the time and it will be a different boy next time. I wonder if the fact that I'm a petite female of ethnic origin has anything to do with this. I heard one of the offending boys make remarks about my race.

I must point out I do teach in a school considered to be 'rough' and on a street full of council housing. I found out that a few of the offending boys have learning difficulties. However this is no excuse and the head of music agree that this is shocking behaviour. The boys I teach are lovely however, they're from humble backgrounds but very eager to learn.

As I have no training in teenage psychology, what can I do to prevent students effectively bullying me? On the day I teach there are no fellow peri teachers and head of music is often very busy. Short of locking myself in the department and my room, is there a different approach I can take with these boys who harass me? Any help appreciated.

[tonedeafmum]

Hello all,

I have been a peri teacher at couple of schools now and have enjoyed it so far. However, I often find myself being harassed by male students who go to the school but don't learn piano from me. They open doors to my room while a lesson is going on and when I get angry and ask them not to interrupt they'd bang on doors and run away. One boy a while back even pulled down his pants when I went outside the room! I got very angry and have shouted at them but it didn't seem to have much effect.

The head of music has been very helpful and have told these boys off in a firm manner and have taken them to the principal and called the parents. However she can't be there to watch over them all the time and it will be a different boy next time. I wonder if the fact that I'm a petite female of ethnic origin has anything to do with this. I heard one of the offending boys make remarks about my race.

I must point out I do teach in a school considered to be 'rough' and on a street full of council housing. I found out that a few of the offending boys have learning difficulties. However this is no excuse and the head of music agree that this is shocking behaviour. The boys I teach are lovely however, they're from humble backgrounds but very eager to learn.

As I have no training in teenage psychology, what can I do to prevent students effectively bullying me? On the day I teach there are no fellow peri teachers and head of music is often very busy. Short of locking myself in the department and my room, is there a different approach I can take with these boys who harass me? Any help appreciated.

Not a music teacher - a Sunday school teacher and Church youth worker (a calling where respect from teens is very difficult to win and maintain. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif) ) So - here are a few completely non expert ideas on what you could do -

Definitely don't shout at them (if you can possibly help it.)
Report any racist incident immediately and make sure you are satisfied with the response you get.
Learning difficulties are little or no justification for this kind of behaviour.
Keep a diary of every incident and ask for a standing appointment with the Head of Music to talk through your diary, monthly, weekly or whatever suits you both.
If you are in a Union or Association - be prepared to get them involved. If you're not - maybe consider joining one.

I think it's dreadful that you are being bullied in the workplace. Whether the bullies are 14 or 40 is not the issue - your working life is being made unreasonably difficult - and you have my complete sympathy.

However - teens (even with learning difficulties) are smart and perceptive and you will get grief if you are going around that school with a "council house children are rough" mindset or airing what could be seen as patronising attitudes about kids from "humble backgrounds." Music is often seen as "middle class" - do what you can to break that stereotype rather than live up to it.

All the very best. I hope you stick it out. Sounds like a school where they really need some good music. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[miffy]

Are you self employed or do you work for a music service? If the latter, you should speak to your boss there, it is for them to sort it for you. If you are feeling threatened or are being racially abused it is a very serious matter.It is the schools responsibility to make sure you are safe and to take proper steps to sort this out to make sure it doesn't escalate. Can you insist they change your day for one where there are others working beside you - preferably a big beefy tuba teacher or something?

[Seer_Green]

I'm afraid that the more you shout, the more they'll do it. Obviously, from what you describe, this unacceptable, and I do think it's not your responsibility to deal with it. That said, if it continues, then the best thing you can do is to keep your cool and try the reverse to shouting. Perhaps you could ask them if they enjoy listening, or whethet they learn an instrument. Perhaps they'd like to come in and try? In know this sounds ridiculous, but in my experience, teenagers want to be listed too and treated like adults. The behaviour you describe is just attention-seeking. Once they realise that you're not going to shout and get cross with them, they'll probably get bored and go and irritate someone else. The trouble is, if you continue to be obviously provoked by them, then they will keep trying to push the boundaries to see how far you'll go. I fear that they've already learnt which of your buttons they need to press!

[andante]

My response (which is probably against all sorts of guidelines!) would be to open the door take a photo of them and close door again. Then you'd have photographic evidence of their misbehaviour and they would know they'd been caught. The one with his trousers down would have trouble explaining how that was an innocent misunderstanding.

[tonedeafmum]

My response (which is probably against all sorts of guidelines!) would be to open the door take a photo of them and close door again. Then you'd have photographic evidence of their misbehaviour and they would know they'd been caught. The one with his trousers down would have trouble explaining how that was an innocent misunderstanding.

You get into very big trouble for photgraphing minors. And taking a picture of a boy with his pants down is definitely (and rightly) counted as a child s-x offence.

[LizzieT]

I'm afraid that the more you shout, the more they'll do it. Obviously, from what you describe, this unacceptable, and I do think it's not your responsibility to deal with it. That said, if it continues, then the best thing you can do is to keep your cool and try the reverse to shouting. Perhaps you could ask them if they enjoy listening, or whethet they learn an instrument. Perhaps they'd like to come in and try? In know this sounds ridiculous, but in my experience, teenagers want to be listed too and treated like adults. The behaviour you describe is just attention-seeking. Once they realise that you're not going to shout and get cross with them, they'll probably get bored and go and irritate someone else. The trouble is, if you continue to be obviously provoked by them, then they will keep trying to push the boundaries to see how far you'll go. I fear that they've already learnt which of your buttons they need to press!

I have taught as a peri in a school with a high proportion of less privileged students so I know how stressful it can be when teenage boys try to wind you up. However I think S_G may well have the wisdom here. It's probably more difficult for people to be unpleasant if their victim is relaxed and unfazed by it. I certainly think his suggestions are worth trying, before going down the 'complaint' route which inevitably inflames the situation. Try to address the boys as individuals rather than as a group - again it's more difficult for them to be rude to you if they're being addressed individually.

Of course if this doesn't work do seek help on the lines suggested in other posts.

[andante]

My response (which is probably against all sorts of guidelines!) would be to open the door take a photo of them and close door again. Then you'd have photographic evidence of their misbehaviour and they would know they'd been caught. The one with his trousers down would have trouble explaining how that was an innocent misunderstanding.

You get into very big trouble for photgraphing minors. And taking a picture of a boy with his pants down is definitely (and rightly) counted as a child s-x offence.

You will note my comment about it being against guidelines, and so I wasn't suggesting that she did it. It was a tongue in cheek comment about them doing it because they think they can get away with it.

I give up, no one has a sense of humour on this forum. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[notmusimum]

My response (which is probably against all sorts of guidelines!) would be to open the door take a photo of them and close door again. Then you'd have photographic evidence of their misbehaviour and they would know they'd been caught. The one with his trousers down would have trouble explaining how that was an innocent misunderstanding.

Exactly the same thought went through my head.

I do belive that being able to blend into the crowd is one of the things that gives cowards the courage to behave like this.

I wouldn't have actualy done it either.

[Beagle]

However - teens (even with learning difficulties) are smart and perceptive and you will get grief if you are going around that school with a "council house children are rough" mindset or airing what could be seen as patronising attitudes about kids from "humble backgrounds." Music is often seen as "middle class" - do what you can to break that stereotype rather than live up to it.

All the very best. I hope you stick it out. Sounds like a school where they really need some good music. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I certainly don't have this mindset and I was only made aware of the kids' backgrounds when the head of music told me at the interview. I have a full day of teaching without a break so I don't get to go around school airing my views to anyone. As I have mentioned the kids I teach are great and I enjoy teaching them, and I used to teach in a private school with very wealthy kids which I didn't enjoy. Even there I had some trouble with a boy I didn't teach who was rude and racist, so I know that this type of behaviour doesn't just exist in state schools.

[ChristopherO]

My response (which is probably against all sorts of guidelines!) would be to open the door take a photo of them and close door again. Then you'd have photographic evidence of their misbehaviour and they would know they'd been caught. The one with his trousers down would have trouble explaining how that was an innocent misunderstanding.

You get into very big trouble for photgraphing minors. And taking a picture of a boy with his pants down is definitely (and rightly) counted as a child s-x offence.

You will note my comment about it being against guidelines, and so I wasn't suggesting that she did it. It was a tongue in cheek comment about them doing it because they think they can get away with it.

I give up, no one has a sense of humour on this forum. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Seems that way so often, andante - we need more of your humour (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
A few years ago I photographed some boys who did the same after I had reprimanded for vandalism. I told them that the photographs would be sent to the police and local authority and they scarpered. I realised the PC issue and I had removed the memory card from the camera before clicking, so no image was recorded - but they didn't know that and I never saw them again.
I am sure that someone here will now tell me what a bad boy I am but, as a proud member of the older generation, I have had to deal with too much in my life to care about retorts from those who will clearly know better than me.
I also realise that shouting at them is no more effective than doing that with my dog - it was a good response from seer_green about inviting and encouraging them to share - and it seems so clear that they are attention seeking - so showing anger at their activity will just encourage them
And I don't agree with the "and rightly" from tonedeafmum - quote - " ... taking a picture of a boy with his pants down is definitely (and rightly) counted as a child s-x offence. "
If the picture is immediately passed to authority and no copy retained good common sense would not see this as the offence the way that this is likely these days - we are an over-obsessed society.

OK, there's plenty to disagree with !?!

[baiba]

You get into very big trouble for photgraphing minors. And taking a picture of a boy with his pants down is definitely (and rightly) counted as a child s-x offence.

This may be true that an adult can get into trouble for photographing a teenager with his pants down in a public place like a school corridor..but would you get into trouble if a pupil took the photo for you and showed it to the school management? Sorry just wondering.

Its worse that the kid is pulling down his pants in the first place. The photo really is the least of the problem. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[andante]

Whilst I'm usually the first to support off topicness, I'm not sure that this thread, where someone is asking for advice on bullying is the best place for it. I'm sorry my dry comment has provoked this debate, let's leave the thread for people who want to offer help to the peri with annoying teenagers.

[jod]

The boy pulling his pants down, though he is the minor, is actually guilty of sexual harrassment, and an incident form should discretely be passed to the school management as part of their disciplinary code and to cover your back as a teacher.

Having said that, Seer_Green is perfectly correct that shouting at the lad under those circumstances is counterproductive. A disapproving glare and a "I'd rather see you with your trousers on!" said in an assertive but non-threatening tone followed by a clearing of the corridor and no-nonsense closure of the practise room door is much more effective.

The other thing that might be effective is a sign marked 'Silence, teaching in progress' (much in the same way many schools have signs marked 'Silence, exams in progress') If ignoring these signs and disturbing lessons was punishable by a sanction agreed with the school the problem would be resolved quickly and without any fuss. Such sanctions could include Lunchtime detention especially if the school had a policy where these were carried out by the headteacher or head of department. Anything to make the attraction of disturbing peri-lessons unattractive.

[Tickled Ivories]

What an awful situation! I would ask why these boys are walking about the school ... where should they be at these times? If they should be in class, then it would be worth pinpointing the troublemakers, and where they should be at the times you are teaching, and make their class teachers aware that these boys should not really leave the classroom during the lesson. Even if they want to go to the toilet, the school should make arrangements for someone, even another mature pupil, to accompany them. The school should do their best to protect you from this - it is definitely unacceptable.
If it is happening during a break, someone should presumably still be supervising and keeping an eye on where these boys are. Are there dinner ladies? Or volunteers? Arrangements should be make to keep these boys away from where you are teaching. You might need to instigate this, and spend time talking to the relevant people - the head of the school if necessary. The teachers should be made aware.