Paula is a paraeducator who works in a special education classroom at a local middle school. She runs into Samantha, a longtime friend, shopping at a local grocery store.
Paula: “Oh, hey, Sam! How’s it going?”
Samantha: “Good, good! Just picking up a few things. How about you? How’s work?”
Paula: “Ugh, don’t even get me started. It’s been a nightmare lately with some of these kids. Honestly, some of them are just impossible. You know, we have this one kid—Jason—he’s constantly causing trouble. I try to help him, but he’s so lazy and doesn’t care. The other day, he threw a tantrum in class because I asked him to put his phone away. And his parents got mad at me! And then there’s Madison—she can never sit still. Just constant disruptions. It’s like they can’t focus for even five minutes!”
Samantha: “Wow, that sounds really tough. But you must have to keep your cool with them, right?”
Paula: “I mean, I try, but it’s exhausting. Some days I just feel like pulling my hair out!
Samantha: “Yikes. That’s rough. It must be draining.”
Paula: “Yeah, it’s frustrating. But hey, it’s a job – and I actually do like the kids. It just gets to be a bit much at times.
Later, Paula’s mentor, Antonio, is informed about the conversation. He is now faced with the dilemma of how to address this unprofessional exchange with Paula.
Antonio (reflecting to himself): “I’ve noticed Paula seems overwhelmed lately, but this conversation was more than just venting. She was openly dismissive about the students and seemed to lack respect for their needs and struggles. I’ve always tried to encourage her to maintain a positive and supportive attitude, but I’m not sure how to address this. Should I confront her directly now, or is this something I can bring up during our next mentoring session? I don’t want to make her defensive, but this can’t be ignored—it’s not just about her attitude toward the kids, but also about her role in creating a positive learning environment.”
How would you address the situation if you were Paula’s mentor? Jot down your ideas – we’ll revisit the scenario at the end of the unit.