Coping with Seven Disruptive Personality Types in the Classroom

was a potential threat. She worked out a code word with somebody in an outer office so thatif something happened, she could covertly alert others to come in and intervene.Again, it is not anger, per se, to watch out for: it is the behavior. If behavior is highlyunacceptable, including obscenities, screaming, and so on, then it is time to use the securitypeople on campus and document the event. Documentation is very important.Responding to disruptive “good” behavior, such as wanting to answer everyquestion:Wanting to answer every question is not exactly “good” behavior. Students need to learn howto share the limelight with each other. A student who is overeager to answer each questionmight be told in the privacy of the instructor’s office that this eagerness to answer questionsand participate is duly appreciated, but that she needs to harness some of her enthusiasm inorder to allow classmates the opportunity to share their answers as well.If the behavior persists after this discussion, the instructor may need to both ignore thestudent’s repeated hand-waving and issue a stronger admonition or warning.Providing protection under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) for astudent with Tourette Syndrome or similar affliction:A student with Tourette Syndrome, a neurological disability, is definitely entitled to legallymandated accommodations under ADA. However, it is important for instructors andadministrators to understand that there is a legal principle that can be stated as follows: “Nocollege or university is prohibited from disciplining a student for misconduct even if thatmisconduct is a symptom or manifestation of a disability. In other words, a physical orpsychiatric disability does not, in itself, afford a student immunity from disciplinarysanctions for misconduct.”Dealing with bullying behavior and threats:Here is a hypothetical situation: A group of large football players surround a professor andthreaten him with the ultimatum of giving them all As or facing the prospect of having hishome burned down or one of his family members attacked. This is reported to theadministration, and the students respond by saying, “We were only kidding. Can’t you take ajoke?”42