Open Forum

Howdy. 

I teach 9-12 tech and acting and I wanted to ask, what are we doing to help students feel comfortable with performing when several students in my classes are bullies? Don't get me wrong, if it happens in my class, I handle it. The student is corrected, referral is issued, whatever needs to happen happens. But the students who are (for lack of a better term) jerks have a reputation outside of my classes that makes the other students afraid. I can't prevent everything and it has led to one of my classes in particular to feel incredibly tense and weird with each other. Getting up in front of the class and performing is their worst nightmare because students are afraid of the judgement of others.

I have talked about stage fright in length. Spoken to all of the students about how judgement will happen (it's inevitable) and addressed behaviors that need addressing. Not only that, but most of the students who aren't the bullies are introverts/have anxiety already. The class is almost always completely silent and awkward. I, myself, am an introvert as well, so I feel for the kids who feel like they can't be themselves or perform because of a fear of judgement. But it's incredibly weird. I say upfront that my class is performance based, and the average introvert in a vacuum would thrive in my class. But with the bullies present, it makes it extremely difficult. 

I've sat down with several of the kids that are those bullies and had conversations with them. 1. These kids usually also refuse to perform/do the work. 2. They are apathetic to the students who do want to perform and do well. 3. They blame my expectations for the atmosphere. "Why don't we just stop doing performances? That'll just make everything easier." - Actual words from one of those students. 

I want my class to feel bright, energetic, and welcoming. I just feel like I have a lot of kids working against me.