1️⃣ Overview — How to deal with disruptive behaviors from children while tutoring
“Behavior is often the language of children who feel they have no voice.”
Every child’s behavior provides insight into their needs. When students display disruptive behavior during tutoring, it is important for tutors to view these actions as a form of communication regarding the needs of the student. For example, a student who engages in joking or acts as a “class clown,” may be expressing feelings of insecurity about their learning. Nonetheless, tutors should never feel uncomfortable or threatened by students’ behavior. Tutors should feel empowered when handling the situation and realize students’ disruptive behavior is not their fault.
When dealing with disruptive behavior, PLUS tutors should remain calm, explain the consequences of disruptive actions (first, second, and third strikes as described below), and then redirect the child toward working on math software. If the child repeatedly does not follow instructions, the tutor should inform the Lead Tutor via the PLUS Tutors Slack channel. If the teacher is signed into the Zoom meeting, the tutor should also message the teacher and let them know that the child is being disruptive or uncooperative. If the child is too disruptive to participate in tutoring, then the tutor should move on toward working with the next child.
If you feel uncomfortable with something a child has said or done, be sure to document what happened (via screenshot and Zoom recording) and then notify your Lead Tutor via Slack or email. The Lead Tutor will then follow up with the Tutor Supervisors who will communicate with the school. It is then up to the school to take action and engage in a productive dialogue with the child (and their parents or guardians as necessary) about what appropriate student-tutor interactions look like. If needed, the child will be removed from tutoring.
Additionally, …
It is important to understand that the middle school children we work with might have different ways of relating to tutors and peers than what tutors are familiar with. Their social and cultural contexts might make it more likely for them to comment on the tutor's appearance or ways of speaking.
Please assume good intentions and understand that the students we work with are curious about who the tutors are. Stay positive and share for example,
"I am excited to meet you too! My name is ___ and it means ___. It comes from the ___ language. What does your name mean?"
2️⃣ Expectations for Tutors
Our tutors are expected to adhere to the following manners:
Professionalism and Patience:
Tutors must maintain a professional demeanor and demonstrate patience when interacting with students.
Avoid reacting emotionally to disruptive behavior; instead, respond calmly and assertively.
Clear Communication:
Set clear expectations at the beginning of each session regarding behavior, participation, and mutual respect.
Explain the consequences for disruptive actions, emphasizing the importance of a respectful learning environment.
Engagement Strategies:
Use engaging tutoring methods as described in the PLUS app to capture students’ interest and minimize boredom or restlessness.
Encourage active participation through polls, discussions, and interactive activities.
Monitoring and Intervention:
Regularly monitor student engagement during sessions.
Address disruptive behavior promptly:
First Offense: Provide a verbal warning and remind the student of the expected behavior.
Second Offense: Send a private chat message to discuss the issue and reiterate expectations.
Third Offense: Temporarily mute the students or remove them from the session (if necessary).
Chronic Disruption: Report to the Lead Tutor for further action.
Privacy and Confidentiality:
Respect student privacy by not sharing personal information or recordings without consent (only sharing with the Lead Tutor and Tutor Supervisors.)
Maintain confidentiality regarding student behavior issues (do not discuss personal identifiable information with other tutors).
Technical Troubleshooting:
Assist students with technical difficulties promptly to prevent frustration.
Encourage students to troubleshoot independently whenever possible.
3️⃣ Expectations for Students
Our students are expected to adhere to the following manners:
Active Participation:
Students are expected to actively engage in the virtual tutoring session.
Raise hands (virtually) to ask questions or contribute to discussions.
Respectful Behavior:
Treat tutors and peers with respect.
Avoid disruptive actions such as:
Interrupting others.
Using inappropriate language.
Displaying distracting behavior (e.g., background noise, unrelated web browsing).
Adherence to Guidelines:
Follow the tutor’s instructions and guidelines.
Accept consequences if disruptive behavior occurs.
4️⃣ Expectations for Staff
Our staff are expected to adhere to the following manners:
Staff (Tutor Supervisors) will act quickly on incident reports, review Zoom recordings to gather information about what happened, and escalate the issue to their supervisors (Head of Partnerships).
The partnerships supervisor will then follow up with school administrators about the incident via email and/or via the weekly partnership meeting.
The partnerships supervisor will follow up with Carnegie Mellon University HR, provide a detailed report, and discuss next steps, as appropriate.
5️⃣ Reporting and Documentation
If you see/experience something, report something:
Incident Reports:
Tutors should document disruptive incidents, including the date, time, student involved, and details of the behavior.
Submit incident reports including Zoom recording to the Lead Tutor, who will then share it with the Tutor Supervisors.
Feedback and Improvement:
Tutors are encouraged to provide feedback on strategies that work well or need improvement in the tutor reflection form.
Collaborate with other tutors to share effective approaches.
Review and Updates: This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as needed to ensure its effectiveness.