Title: A Challenging Situation as a TA
As a teaching assistant for the organic chemistry lab, I recently faced a difficult situation with one of my students. Last week, she arrived 17 minutes late to lab. As a one-time courtesy, I allowed her in, but then she disrupted the class by loudly unpacking her backpack at the lab table. I kindly asked her to finish that in the hallway. Unfortunately, as she turned to do so, her backpack accidentally knocked over some lab equipment, resulting in damage.
After class, I spoke with her outside the lab, where she shared that she was struggling with her mental health and finding it hard to focus. I suggested she visit the campus wellness center and decided it would be best for her to leave lab that day. She wanted to share more, but I gently reminded her that it wasn’t my role to provide counseling and offered to accompany her to the wellness center, which she declined.
She inquired about making up the lab, and I informed her that she was welcome to attend the lab the following day if she emailed the other TA. However, she mentioned she wouldn’t be able to make it and left for home instead of going to the wellness center.
Today, she arrived late again, this time wearing leggings, which aren’t permitted in lab for safety reasons. I had to deny her entry and graciously offered her 15 minutes to change. In response, she broke down in tears, expressing her concerns about failing the course and feeling overwhelmed. This occurred right outside the lab, in front of 20 other students.
I felt it necessary to call the wellness center for assistance while I continued the class, but she became very upset, making concerning statements about self-harm before walking away. I contacted the professor to address the situation while I continued teaching, but she reported me to him, and now I have a meeting scheduled. I’m left wondering what I could have done differently.
I’m sorry to hear about the challenging situation you’re facing. It sounds like you were trying to enforce the lab rules while being considerate of your student’s circumstances. However, it’s clear that this is a complex situation with a lot of emotions involved.
From what you’ve described, here are a few points to consider:
Communication: It seems you were trying to maintain classroom order, which is important, but perhaps a different approach to communication could have helped. Acknowledging her struggles more empathetically in the moment may have de-escalated the situation.
Mental Health Awareness: When a student expresses mental health concerns, it can be helpful to take an extra moment to listen and validate their feelings. While you did refer her to the wellness center, showing empathy and understanding could have made her feel more supported.
Crisis Protocols: Given that she made self-harm statements, it’s vital to follow your institution’s protocols for mental health crises more closely. Ensuring that she received immediate support from trained professionals is crucial.
Lab Policies: While it’s your responsibility to enforce lab policies regarding attire, it might be worth discussing with your professors about how to handle such situations when a student’s emotional state is at risk. Having a clear understanding of these policies can help guide your actions in the future.
Self-Reflection: After your meeting, reflect on how you responded to the situation and consider ways to approach similar incidents in the future. Collaboration with counseling services in advance, and developing strategies for handling students in distress may be beneficial.
Remember that you’re not alone in this, and seeking guidance from your supervisors or a trusted mentor could provide additional support. Taking care of your mental health is important too, especially after going through a stressful experience like this. Good luck with your meeting; it’s an opportunity to learn and grow from this experience.