Normally, closer to the presentation date, I have a chat with the student about the necessity of public speaking in life.  When one gets to the workplace, one cannot tell their potential employer they can’t do an interview because they are apprehensive, or tell their boss that they cannot go speak to clients because of their fear.  If the student still is too apprehensive to speak in front of the class, I make a deal with them to present in front of a small audience of 4-5 friends.  I require some form of audience, otherwise the student will not earn a mark.  I take the student’s point of view into consideration, but I focus more on preparing students for the future, rather than helping them to neglect challenging themselves.

Normally, closer to the presentation date, I have a chat with the student about the necessity of public speaking in life.  When one gets to the workplace, one cannot tell their potential employer they can’t do an interview because they are apprehensive, or tell their boss that they cannot go speak to clients because of their fear.  If the student still is too apprehensive to speak in front of the class, I make a deal with them to present in front of a small audience of 4-5 friends.  I require some form of audience, otherwise the student will not earn a mark.  I take the student’s point of view into consideration, but I focus more on preparing students for the future, rather than helping them to neglect challenging themselves.

I mentioned something to this effect in a previous post, so I have reposted it here with some updates.

Teachers are not mind readers.  We try to help as much as we can, but there needs to be some communication from the student, as well.  For me, I can sometimes tell something is wrong, but, until I have confirmation from the student about what is wrong and we have taken action for help, I have to treat students equally.  If, for example, you don’t hand your assignment in on time and everyone else has, unless we have had a conversation about it and tried to help your situation, you will have consequences for not submitting your work.  I try to reach out to the student to initiate a conversation, but they need to tell their teacher the information in order for their teacher to try to help them in every aspect of their life (including personal, academic, familial, etc).  

Don’t think your struggles haven’t been noticed.  I would think that some of your teachers may have noticed something is different, but haven’t spoken up about it.  Not all teachers take initiative to begin these kinds of conversations with students, as they want to respect the student’s personal and private life.  Teachers can get into trouble for trying to get too personal with students when a student does not want them to.  Due to this, many teachers err on the side of caution.

I would advise you to speak to a teacher, guidance counsellor or any educational staff member you have some form of a rapport with to start sharing information gradually.  As you become more comfortable with them, you may work up to sharing more information to get you the help you need.

I mentioned something to this effect in a previous post, so I have reposted it here with some updates.

Teachers are not mind readers.  We try to help as much as we can, but there needs to be some communication from the student, as well.  For me, I can sometimes tell something is wrong, but, until I have confirmation from the student about what is wrong and we have taken action for help, I have to treat students equally.  If, for example, you don’t hand your assignment in on time and everyone else has, unless we have had a conversation about it and tried to help your situation, you will have consequences for not submitting your work.  I try to reach out to the student to initiate a conversation, but they need to tell their teacher the information in order for their teacher to try to help them in every aspect of their life (including personal, academic, familial, etc).  

Don’t think your struggles haven’t been noticed.  I would think that some of your teachers may have noticed something is different, but haven’t spoken up about it.  Not all teachers take initiative to begin these kinds of conversations with students, as they want to respect the student’s personal and private life.  Teachers can get into trouble for trying to get too personal with students when a student does not want them to.  Due to this, many teachers err on the side of caution.

I would advise you to speak to a teacher, guidance counsellor or any educational staff member you have some form of a rapport with to start sharing information gradually.  As you become more comfortable with them, you may work up to sharing more information to get you the help you need.

After class, politely ask your teacher if you can speak to them privately, and share that it frustrates or upsets you.  The teacher wouldn’t want to actually make anyone uncomfortable.

After class, politely ask your teacher if you can speak to them privately, and share that it frustrates or upsets you.  The teacher wouldn’t want to actually make anyone uncomfortable.

Please, please, PLEASE report her.  It is NOT something you have done to set this teacher off.  As a teacher, she is supposed to report her findings of a student in trouble, but, it seems to me, like she is making that comment so you hide it and then she no longer feels forced to do something about it, or wouldn’t get in trouble for not doing something once someone else discovers it.

Go to a teacher you have a good relationship with.  Tell them your struggles and why you are offended by this teacher.  You will have to discuss your cutting; I would hope you could get some help, but you won’t be forced to do anything you don’t want to do.  This teacher is avoiding her responsibilities of a teacher, and is placing even more struggles onto you.

Once you report her, it may seem like it was for nothing, as, to you, it might not seem like anything changed.  Situations like this with teachers take some time for there to be any significant action against them.  Be patient.

I see situations like these as “meant to be.”  You were meant to be told this by the teacher in order to help other students who may hear similar comments from her, and it may just be the situation that allows you to seek help.

Do whatever you feel is right.  You can report her by still keeping some secrets about your struggles, but I would hope you could get some help.  Teachers who are there for the right reasons would NEVER see your cutting as trying to get attention or something that puts the teacher in an awkward situation.  Good teachers WANT to help, and this job requires more than just academic help.  Your situation will be dealt quietly and effectively by a proper teacher and administration.  Go to someone you feel absolutely comfortable with.

I hope this helps.

Please, please, PLEASE report her.  It is NOT something you have done to set this teacher off.  As a teacher, she is supposed to report her findings of a student in trouble, but, it seems to me, like she is making that comment so you hide it and then she no longer feels forced to do something about it, or wouldn’t get in trouble for not doing something once someone else discovers it.

Go to a teacher you have a good relationship with.  Tell them your struggles and why you are offended by this teacher.  You will have to discuss your cutting; I would hope you could get some help, but you won’t be forced to do anything you don’t want to do.  This teacher is avoiding her responsibilities of a teacher, and is placing even more struggles onto you.

Once you report her, it may seem like it was for nothing, as, to you, it might not seem like anything changed.  Situations like this with teachers take some time for there to be any significant action against them.  Be patient.

I see situations like these as “meant to be.”  You were meant to be told this by the teacher in order to help other students who may hear similar comments from her, and it may just be the situation that allows you to seek help.

Do whatever you feel is right.  You can report her by still keeping some secrets about your struggles, but I would hope you could get some help.  Teachers who are there for the right reasons would NEVER see your cutting as trying to get attention or something that puts the teacher in an awkward situation.  Good teachers WANT to help, and this job requires more than just academic help.  Your situation will be dealt quietly and effectively by a proper teacher and administration.  Go to someone you feel absolutely comfortable with.

I hope this helps.