De-escalation Scenarios

View these pdfs for guidelines on navigating disruptive behavior in the classroom. Bemidji State University has also made a de-escalation training presentation available to the public.

  1. Remain Calm & Respond Right When A Student Challenges! (Time to Teach, Center for Teacher Effectiveness and CPI)
  2. Coping with Seven Disruptive Personality Types in the Classroom (Magna Publications)
  3. Mitigating Disruptive Behavior in the College Classroom (Arizona State University)
  4. Tips for addressing Rude & Disruptive Classroom Behavior (University of California, Irvine)

Guidelines for Dealing with Disruptive Behavior

  1. State clear behavioral expectations in the beginning of the semester and establish control over the classroom environment.
  2. Cite the Code of Student Conduct as a means of interpretation and enforcement. Recognize the difference between disruption and academic freedom.
  3. Deal with rudeness privately and calmly.
  4. Serve as a role model for your students.
  5. Attempt informal, non-public resolutions whenever possible.
  6. When you must confront behavior publicly, separate the person from the behavior and confront the situation firmly but calmly.
  7. When removing a student from the class for inappropriate behavior, do so only for the remainder of that class period and the following class period. Report the incident to the Student Conduct division of Student Life and Success.
  8. The Student Conduct division of Student Life and Success will engage the student in the campus student conduct process.
  9. Consult with your department chairperson/division chair and the Student Conduct division of Student Life and Success whenever disruptions occur, even if they seem minor. No action need be taken immediately, but it is helpful to have all incidents recorded.
  10. In the event of serious disruptions, contact the Department of Public Safety and provide a full written account of the incident.
  11. Remember that the Student Conduct division of Student Life and Success has several different methods of dealing with disruptive behavior, depending on the seriousness of the situation and your own preferences. You may contact the Student Conduct division of Student Life and Success at (218) 755-2075 or emailing at conduct@bemidjistate.edu.