Case Book Four

Nelson Quiock just finished meeting with his team. They made a decision that there were far too many classroom management problems during the first quarter. This quarter, they will try a different approach. They will meet with the students who are causing problems now, and try to develop a management system that will help prevent future problems. The team has decided which students they will meet with as a whole, and which ones they will meet with individually. Nelson has agreed to meet individually with Fiona. Fiona has been creating many classroom distractions with her dress and sexual innuendoes in the classroom. The team has all agreed that several of the problems in the class have directly resulted from Fiona's actions. Nelson was purposely chosen to talk to Fiona, as he can provide the male point of view from the team.

MR. QUIOCK: Fiona, the teacher team is in agreement. We have talked about this. You are a good student. You have great potential. However, we need to work together with you on changing some of your behaviors. You may not know this, but we all are concerned that some of your behaviors are disruptive to the classroom. In all of the classes you tease the boys a lot. In fact, in some classes you have been seen teasing every twenty seconds or so.

FIONA: Mr. Quiock, I don't know what you mean. What do I do that is teasing?

MR. QUIOCK: Fiona, you toss your hair. You drop your pens. You giggle. You touch the boys' arms. You wink at them. You glance, smile, look away, glance back. You ask them where we are in class, like. You act needy, when you are very smart.

FIONA: Okay. I admit I tease a bit. But, I don't understand how that is disruptive.

MR. QUIOCK: You come to school dressed in the required uniform, but you change it over the day, hiking up your skirt, rolling the top to show your stomach. Every time teachers turn around you are showing your body off. We have to figure out why you are doing this. As a male who was once that age, I know that the boys start to wonder about your intentions. Some of the boys may think that you want to tease them, or to advertise yourself. That is disruptive.

FIONA: Mr. Quiock, that's not true. I don't change my uniform to show off my body. I just find it scratchy and uncomfortable.

MR. QUIOCK: Okay, but do you understand that when you make the changes this leads to disruptions in the classroom?

FIONA: Yes. I do now. I never thought of it that way.

MR. QUIOCK: Well, we have to change the behavior. The uniform won't change. The scratchiness may be due to the fabric or the laundry detergent. I can talk to your mom about this, if you want. However, you are stuck with things as they are. What can the team do to help you change your thinking and behavior? We can not continue with the disruptions.

FIONA: Well, I have to think about this. I guess I have to let up on the teasing, huh? It won't be easy. This body is hot, and needs attention!

MR. QUIOCK: Save it for later, when you are a legal age adult or older. The teasing stops now, or the team will have to meet with you to set consequences. Should I set a meeting for tomorrow?

FIONA: No way. This is bad enough. You are way too hard on me. I will stop teasing. These boys are too young for me anyway. You know, I like older men. Come to think of it, Mr. Quiock, you are just about the right age for me.

Teacher Notes:

• It is always difficult to speak with a student when issues involve a student trying to express self and emerging sexuality. As a teacher you need to be careful to set expectations for appropriate classroom behavior, and also help students learn to appropriately express themselves without judging them. If you judge them, this may impact their sexual expression and comfort with their sexuality.
• Some teachers report that students try to engage in flirting with them, dating them, even offering sexual favors in trade for grades. It is very important that you set firm limits with students about interacting with you in a friendly, but not friendship or romantic level. It is also very important that if you find this occurring, you try not to be alone in a room with this student, do not put yourself or the student in a compromising situation.