I have a middle school female student (will a lot more than 1) with a terrible attitude. This particular student is smart and could be a positive leader. A lot of the other girls follow her and have become extremely disrespectful as well. What do you do to build relationships with this type of student? I've talked to her, made a contract (it worked for 1 week), etc. . .but it seems as if she doesn't like me and doesn't want me to help her at all!
When I taught middle school their bad attitudes were so difficult for me to put up with daily. I found I can influence or change nearly anything about a middle schooler, but their attitude is there's to choose. As harmful as a bad attitude is, there is little you can do about it. I don't like the negative attitudes of a few of the teachers at school, but there is little I can do about those as well. No student will like a contract, and I only use that if a child is so over the line in disrupting behavior, that I find it necessary. It is usually a last resort. Middle schoolers often don't like to be told what to do even when we are trying to be helpful. Praise her strengths and accomplishments. Hold her accountable for her actions. Listen to her and possibly take an interest in what she is passionate about. When she wants her distance from adults and her teacher, give that to her. Often middle schoolers don't want a teacher messing with their life too much.
