Student from Hell issue

I don't see anything about you contacting the parent. Contact the parent. Have specific behaviors that concern you - it's easy to start with openly disrespectful comments and yelling about undone assignments because even the "satan" this child is the spawn of can't defend such actions.

Keep a tight leash. Talk with the student during the detention he must have gotten by now about acceptable behavior. You can institute a "three strikes" rule where you say you will respond to unacceptable behavior simply: "Spawn of satan, that is unacceptable because ____. One." Second time, end it with "two." The third time, end it with "three, and here is your pass to the office. I will see you at detention today after school." Stay calm, direct, and reasonable. Do this consistently, and he'll either realize that there's no wiggle room or he'll be out of the class and everyone's hair. For every detention, make a phone call home, and use the detention time to explain the three behaviors that caused the detention, and what more appropriate behaviors would have been.

Remember: this kid has a history. Everyone has had trouble with him, so it's not you. The students want you to do something about him - the number one justification for removing a disruptive student is because he is interfering in the education of others. He may not really understand appropriate behavior, so providing direct feedback about what he has done, why it is inappropriate, and how to change it may produce some lasting skills. Or if he's just an asshole, he'll realize that his assholishness isn't getting him what he wants. And if what he wants is to be out of the classroom, then it looks like you both agree on something.

And yes, if the problem persists, despite consistent, documented efforts and the involvement of the parents and inclusion of the administration, a schedule change is totally warranted. And if that screws up his other classes, maybe switches his lunch so he's not with his friends, well that would be a shame, now, wouldn't it?

/r/Teachers Thread