Schools sometimes have resources to help students who are struggling, including Lunch Buddies group, Social Skills group, homework help, and counseling.  It is important for teachers to learn what their school has to offer so that they can direct their students to that help.  Doing so provides relief to the teachers who aren’t “going it alone”.

Behavior change is often slow-moving and hard, making it difficult to maintain a student's motivation to keep trying and belief that things will get better.  When a teacher recognizes and rewards small changes and effort, it can inspire the student to keep working hard and reminds the teacher of how much has been accomplished.

Why re-invent the wheel?  Connecting with a former educator may take some effort, but it often yields valuable information about what works with the student and what doesn’t, family dynamics, and teacher coping strategies. In addition, do next year’s teacher a favor and send them the information that you garnered during your tenure with the student, so they can start off the year ahead of the game.

Power struggles don’t work and often erode the relationship between student and teacher.  It is important for teachers to remember that it is not their job to get their student to do anything.  Their job is to support their student to face their fears and follow the plan as outlined.  Empathy and validation are effective ways of side-stepping a power struggle.

With the focus on their student’s anxiety, teachers sometimes fail to pay attention to what they are experiencing themselves.  They may forget that their own response to stress influences the dynamics in the classroom and that they can positively impact the situation by adjusting their own coping strategies.  Doing so also models effective stress and anxiety management strategies for their students, which is a very powerful form of teaching.

Not all interventions work or go as planned.  Instead of avoiding mistakes or mishaps, use them to identify weak areas in the plan and make improvements.  Consider meeting with your student and others on the team to review the interaction and brainstorm ways to be more effective next time.  This strategy also models a growth mindset for the student.

The information feedback loop between school and home is crucial to any student’s success but is especially important when a student is struggling.  It is key that all members of the team are up to date on how a student is doing in class, at home, and with the plan.  In addition, good communication between team members provides support that may prevent burnout and frustration.

If a teacher is feeling stuck, getting consultation from a mentor or mental health specialist might be helpful.  Teachers may present the case in a meeting or invite someone in to observe the class and offer feedback.