As a teacher, I discovered that a student has a problem at home. What should I do?

Answer 1

That completely depends on the nature of the problem, and partially depends on the nature of the student and their family.

For some problems like abuse and neglect, you have an moral and perhaps legal obligation to report your concerns to DCFS/CPS/CAS.

(In Ontario this is a legal requirement of any adult, but especially any teacher or other professional knowing of such a risk to a child.)

If the child discloses abuse or neglect do NOT question the child extensively. It may interfere with a DCFS investigation. Establish in your mind whether there is imminent risk, and if so, call to report immediately. If you aren't sure if it's a reportable situation, you can try calling them and 'bounce' the situation off them for their opinion, without disclosing the child's name first.

If it is NOT a matter for DCFS etc., depending on the child's age it may be worth talking to the child briefly about it, then consulting with another appropriate person (ie school counselor or psychologist, principal, or in the case of a longterm situation, that child's last teacher.)

As part of your conversation with the school counselor or psychologist, principal, or child's last teacher, try to assess if it would be helpful to approach the parents, based on what you know of them.

If you do speak to the parents, do so from a position of concern for THEM and what challenges they may be facing - this will go much better than anything that sounds judgmental, proscriptive, pitying or condescending in any way.

Try to help them see a way around the challenges. Start by offering and soliciting agreement that you all want what's best for the child, then help them see how the situation may negatively impact the child, and see if they can find a way you can all work together to ease the child's concerns/worries/frustrations/suffering.

Sometimes (not always, and do this with great caution and sparingly) the parents will need to know that you'd like to support them, but if they can't work WITH you and the matter is serious enough, you may need to take other actions or make other referrals, because the child's best interests have to take priority, should the child be at risk.

Good luck.

Answer 2

yes it depends on the problem. figure out how serious the issue is and how you think the best way to help the child would be. yes it can be hard. but look at it this way--if you were the child how would you want a teacher to go about and help you? it's a risky situation. it depends so much on what the problem is. just be careful. if it's a harmful situation to the child then the "help" might actually hurt them. have you ever read the book "a child called it"? if not i strongly suggest you read it. and all teachers. and everyone for that matter. it's by dave pelzer. but just make sure your help will put the child first and not in more harm in some way. i commend you for trying to do the right thing. being a teacher is hard these days. but i thank you for trying to help one of your students and not ignoring them. i will be praying for you.

Answer 3

It incredibly relies upon on what the subject is. As a instructor you may desire to endure in strategies which you're a mandated reporter. something that's a criminal offense could desire to be pronounced. If it is not any longer a criminal offense, use your faculties aspects and pull the expert with the degree of information that suits the subject and get admission to them that might assist you, the student and the family contributors. do no longer forget approximately a topic you're conscious of! As a instructor, there is not any room for lack of know-how. Act on the region once you have pronounced it with the main appropriate experts on your facility. If it is not any longer dealt with wisely, you could desire to lose the student from attending your college or worse yet, jeopardize the student's existence.

Answer 4

it depends on the kind of problem. and if you want to know the truth about it; everyone has problems at home..however, if it abuse, then why are you even wasting your time asking people for advice? REPORT IT. the student may hate you for it now, but she/he will have a better life in the long run. would you rather be hated or help someone who needs it?

Answer 5

It depends on the 'problem' and the state.

If it is (physical) child abuse many states require that you report it to the proper authorities. In NJ its the Department of Youth and Family Services.

If it's something like illness, death or loss of job for a parent you could contact the school's guidance department and ask what to do.

Answer 6

TRY TO HELP THE STUDENT IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY-U DIDNT MENTION THE PROBLEM but maybe u can talk to the parents about it after ofcourse talking to the child more and finding the root of the problem.

Answer 7

Mother at home is the first teacher.Call the parents and speak to them to rectify any problem, based on that youcan have your to correct the student.

Answer 8

try asking the student about it after class but if the student dont wanna talk about it then dont interfere anymore

Answer 9

Try to contact his/her family or invite them to a dinner in order to earn their trust!after that maybe you will be able to help or report the hole thing to somebody else who can handle that.(a psychologist maybe)