Scenario for Role Play 13
Teacher role
Shawna is in third grade. She is nine years old, blonde, very pretty, extremely conscientious, and works very hard on any assignments. On recent group achievement tests Shawna’s scores were average. Her parents were outraged and insisted that she be tested again. Subsequent tests revealed the same results. The parents began putting pressure on Shawna to work harder. Shawna has earned C’s and B’s this quarter. You are concerned for Shawna when she takes her report card home. You discuss this with the principal and the principal decides to "chat" with the parents. It is after school and you are on the way to the restroom, for the first time since early morning, when Mr. and Mrs. Shawnana approach you in the hall. You great them and return with them to discuss Shawna.
Considerations
- Possible background information
- Behavioral causes
- Possible solutions
- Consider theories, models, or other information used to help guide your decision making
- Create a script for talking with Mrs. Shawnana
Parent role - Mrs. Shawnana
Mrs. Shawnana is the concerned parent and the spokes person for the family. Mrs. Shawnana is a very attractive blonde women and her pet peeve is always having people refer to "dumb blondes" and tell "dumb blonde" jokes. Your daughter Shawna is in third grade. She is nine years old, very pretty, blonde, and gets only C’s and B’s. You are an overachiever. On Shawna’s third grade achievement test her scores were average. You felt sure there was some error and asked that Shawna be tested again. Later tests revealed the same results. You feel that Shawna is a very bright child. She talks about school all the time and what they are doing. If she would work harder she would get better grades. The principal called and asked you to come and "chat" about Shawna. After you talk to the principal he asks you to talk to the teacher. You feel that talking to the teacher the last time did no good. The teacher believes differently than you but the principal hinted something might be gained from talking, so you agree.
Teacher - Suggestions
Suggestions to encourage change from self-limiting behaviors to mastery oriented behaviors. See Conversations to change behavior
and possible verbal interactions and interventions.
Short term
- Discuss the problem with the parents and see if the situation occurs at home and discuss possible solutions.
- If you determine that the pressure does not bother the student then ignore the problem.
Long term
- Suggest student and parent(s) visit a counselor or psychiatrist for family counseling.
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