5th graders should know there is something very wrong with this child even if they aren't saying anything. The next time this happens, maybe say something out loud to the classroom in frustration like "I really wish I could let all of your parents know about this problem. I can't, but you can". Maybe that is enough to get some formal parent complaints in to the office.
First, Did the OP say the student is in 5th grade? So maybe 11? Yeah, that's pretty near adult sized. Thoughts from a teacher:
- Where do you have the student seated in the classroom? He should obviously be on an "edge" so he is near the fewest number of students. Could you seat him near the door? Thinking that if he becomes violent, you could shove him out the door and close it /leaving him in the hallway. Alternately, could you place the student nearest your desk /would allow you to send the other students into the hallway?
- Do you have some sort of item to use as protection? Could you place something near his desk -- a thick tapestry on the wall, perhaps reinforced behind with thin metal? -- something you could throw between him and yourself /another student?
- This one is pretty extreme, but I kept two cans of Hornet Spray in my desk in case of a school shooter. Hornet Spray is perfectly "legal" in a classroom, and it can shoot 20 feet in a direct line (doesn't dissipate to other students). In an absolutely horrible situation, you could spray this student in the face -- ONLY to protect other students. You would have charges brought against you, so you'd better be SURE this was warranted.
- Does he have another student who is calming to him? How does he get along with other students in the classroom?
- Have you let the teachers near you know what's going on? Not to be gossipy, but to let them know that you might call upon them for help. For example, in an emergency, it'd be handy to be able to scream out to the teacher next door MRS. JONES, CODE RED, and she'd know that means you're in real trouble and you need her to drop everything and call the office for you.
Second, NO to making vague comments to your class. That kind of backhanded attempt to include parents will absolutely backfire on the teacher. Unprofessional at best -- it makes you look weak in front of your other students.
How big is this child?
Some 5th graders can be pretty big - I was 5’6” in 5th grade.
If he’s a bigger kid, and hard to restrain, I’d call 911 when he starts threatening to hurt or kill. Maybe then he will get the help he needs to help with his anger and threatening ways, and then you and the other students can have some peace. It can’t be easy for you, or anyone in your classroom, to be in a small room with someone that could blow up with anger at any moment.
Thank you for the work you do, and prayers for this boy to get the help he needs so he can live a more peaceful life.
Do you have an SRO (School Resource Officer)? Have you included him or her in your discussions? A good SRO can be an excellent resource.
Consider that (in the real world of school) you can only call 911 once -- well, I mean, once and keep your job. No point in discussing whether that's right or wrong. It just IS. The path of escalation is, You call the office for an administrator and/or SRO first -- they decide when you need to call outside help.
What triggers this student? Is it academic frustration or social frustration in the classroom? Or does he bring problems from home? What time of day do his meltdowns tend to occur?
He should have a behavior intervention plan. I would ask for it and ask the administrator what you are to do in the specific scenarios you are worried about. I've worked with kids like this and everything needs to be documented. Ask for support and think through how to keep yourself safe. Do you have a pillow or bean bag chair you can hold on front of yourself just in case? And try to have some empathy for this kid. Kids don't want to act this way. They do well when they can. If these incidents happen often he will need a higher level of care. His family are probably stressed to the max and I hope they have people who can help guide them to the best resources for their child.
The student has an IEP, so he has a Case Manager within the school walls. Is that person helpful? You should copy this person in on 100% of your emails dealing with this student.
The student's IEP must be renewed every school year -- ask the Case Manager when that comes up /say that you want to be in the next meeting. So many teachers just sit quietly in those meetings /sign off on whatever's said -- and I've seen some ridiculous, over-the-top things written into IEPs. Go in with specific ideas about how this student's needs could be better met. This may not do you any good this school year, but it might mean the student will have a more reasonable IEP for next year.
I'm sure the teacher has a Behavior Plan -- thing is, those things are more CYA than actual help. Without having seen the BP, I have a couple questions:
- Does the student consider it a "perk" to sit in the hallway to do independent work alone? To go to the library or to his Case Worker?
- Would the student consider it a "perk" to be allowed to listen to music with headphones in the last 30 minutes of class -- provided he's had a good day?
- In your opinion, is the student capable of controlling himself to earn a reward?
I totally agree that kids don't want to act this way, which is why a special classroom /alternative placement would be good for him -- such a classroom would provide the support and interventions the child needs. You are not equipped to handle this PLUS a classroom full of students.
Has any mention been made of classifying this student as a Willie M?
Super-important detail that we haven't heard yet: What do the parents say? Are they involved /helpful? What's his home life like?
1) Create a paper trail. Document everything. (Not just super violent incidents, but the smaller ones that you are dealing with). People will often ignore what they think are isolated incidents, but when you can look at it all together it can be eye opening. If your school has referral forms, use those. Or create your own checklist/ notebook.
2) You need to inconvenience others in more power than you. Someone should be called to your room every time he begins to turn violent, whether it be special education teacher, school counselor, principal etc. If someone else has to start spending much of their time dealing with this, you are more likely to get help. I am a special education teacher and I have found this to be one of the most effective strategies.
3) Your other students should be removed from your room every time this happens as well. If this happens enough, they will tell their parents.
4) Whenever you can, make it about this child’s and your other students’ safety and right to an education. Not saying you aren’t important, but you don’t seem to be getting response for your own safety concerns.
Yes, yes, yes to the paper trail. I was going to say that -- yes to documenting small things: Johnny became frustrated during math and threw his pencil -- specify whether he threw it at the wall or at another student. Johnny pushed another kid on the playground. Without a paper trail, you have NOTHING.
Yes to inconveniencing people above your pay grade.
Yes to making it about other students' safety /right to an education. Having just retired after 30 years in the classroom, I assure you, you will NEVER get any support over your own safety. Put your efforts into more certain pathways.
I know you said you need the job, but is there anything tying you to it? Like a pension or tenure or something? In my area a teacher can get a job as easily as picking up bread at the store because of shortages. If there is nothing holding you to that particular job I would start looking elsewhere if this doesn’t get resolved soon.
Yes, we have a serious teacher shortage in this area -- and it's likely to get worse before it gets better. Before you leave this job though, consider:
- This is not a unique situation. If you choose to leave your current job, make it because administration didn't support you -- not because this one student was a problem. You could easily find a similar situation in your next job.
- Pensions tend to be state-based, but tenure is county-based -- that's why teachers don't tend to job-hop. Don't leave without ABSOLUTELY KNOWING what you're doing to your long-term finances. For example, new hires here are no longer in a pension program and they no longer get medical in retirement; teaching is a job that "ties you to one place". Be SURE of the details in your area.
Last thought: Put real effort into creating a relationship with this student. Without knowing for sure, I suspect this student isn't getting enough one-on-one adult time /isn't getting much positive reinforcement at school. Be SURE that every time you speak to this student, you have a smile on your face -- you're the adult in the situation, and you have to set the tone. Compliment him for positive behaviors /good academic work. I'm not saying give him a pass on bad behavior; rather, I'm saying "catch him being good" and make much of it -- most kids who behave this way get little positive reinforcement. Give him responsibilities in the classroom -- water the plants, distribute papers -- so he can feel he is a positive part of things. Feeling that you're likable, capable and useful leads to better self-esteem.