Lessons From Natural Teachers

We Have a Problem

The year was 1969, and I was asked to consult at a private school for emotionally, behaviorally and learning handicapped junior-high-age students. All of them had been "removed" from Los Angeles Unified School District. I had just been given a free ticket to the all-star game of classroom goof-offs.

On my first visit, I observed four classrooms, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. The two I observed in the morning were a shock.

As I approached the first classroom, I could hear yelling. As I entered, I saw only empty chairs. I looked to my left and saw, to my amazement, nine kids crouched on top of the coat closet staring at me. I thought, "What an unusual lesson format."

Then, a half-dozen other kids poured out of the coat closet. They were armed with items of clothing with which they began pelting the students above. One student leaped from on top of the coat closet to wrestle a classmate to the floor.

In front of this scene was a male teacher who was donating his body to the betterment of young people - his stomach lining, his dental work, and his circulatory system. With arms folded, teeth clenched and a look of grim desperation he shouted,

"Group!"

This worried me. I am a clinical psychologist by training, and I had spent years working with groups. I knew all about group process, group dynamics, group communication, group problem-solving. I did not see a group.

Then, he said,

"I am simply going to wait until you all settle down!"

I didn't know how long he had been waiting. It was November.

The second classroom I visited that morning was almost as bad. A young female teacher was leading a class discussion. I could tell because everyone was talking. Who do you think was talking louder than any of the students?

"Class, there is absolutely no excuse for all of this noise!"

By the end of the morning, I desperately wanted to leave. But, since I had promised, I stuck it out past lunch.