I was working with one of my student teachers recently and she expressed to me her exasperation with her cooperating site Teacher. They currently have a child who is in foster care in their class. The little first grader has learned how to manipulate situations and refuses to cooperate with classroom rules. My student teacher is frustrated because when she follows through on classroom procedures with the girl, and she is required to receive the consequences of her actions, the site teacher pulls the girl aside and gives her candy! Ugh!
I know that the site teacher thinks she is being supportive and comforting to this little girl. The student teacher feels like she is forced into the "bad guy" role in the classroom.
This post first appeared on Topics In Early Childhood Education, please read the originial post: here