I’m a teaching assistant for the organic chemistry lab, and I’ve recently had a challenging situation with one of my students. Last week, she arrived to the lab 17 minutes late. As a courtesy, I allowed her to join us, but then she began rummaging through her backpack at the lab table, making quite a bit of noise. I paused my lecture and politely asked her to do that by the door instead. Unfortunately, while moving to the door, she accidentally swung her backpack and knocked over some lab equipment, causing damage.
After class, I spoke with her outside the lab, where she expressed that she was struggling with mental health issues and finding it difficult to focus. I encouraged her to visit the campus wellness center and suggested it might be best for her to leave lab for the day. She did try to share more about her problems, but I explained that I’m not equipped to handle those discussions and offered to escort her to the wellness center, which she declined.
She inquired about making up the lab, and I let her know she could attend the following day’s session if she contacted the TA, but she said she wouldn’t be able to make it. I told her we could discuss it later, but I needed to return to class. Instead of going to the wellness center, she went home.
Today, she arrived late again, this time dressed in leggings, which are not permitted in the lab. I informed her that I couldn’t allow her to enter wearing them (due to safety regulations) and offered a 15-minute grace period for her to change. At that moment, she broke down in tears, expressing her distress over the thought of failing the course and her overwhelming situation. This unfolded right outside the lab, with 20 other students present.
I made the decision to call the wellness center to provide her with support, as I needed to focus on teaching. Unfortunately, she became very upset and made self-harm statements before walking away. I contacted the course professor, who stepped in to handle the situation while I continued teaching. However, she reported me to him, and now I have a meeting to discuss the incident. I’m left wondering what I could have done differently.
It sounds like you were trying to follow lab policies and maintain a safe and effective learning environment, but you also showed concern for your student’s well-being. Here are a few points to consider in reflection on the situation:
Adherence to Policies: You were correct to enforce the dress code and lab safety rules. These policies are in place for a reason, and it’s crucial for everyone’s safety in the lab.
Supportive Communication: It seems you were trying to support her by referring her to the wellness center, which is commendable. However, it might have been beneficial to express understanding of her situation more explicitly, perhaps acknowledging her feelings before referring her to resources.
Managing Emotional Breakdowns: When she became emotional in front of other students, it may have been worth taking a moment to address her more compassionately, possibly offering to walk her aside to have a private conversation. Emphasizing her safety was important, but sometimes a softer, more empathetic approach can diffuse a difficult situation.
Protocol for Mental Health Crises: Given her self-harm statements, it’s essential to follow school protocols for mental health situations. Doing so ensures she receives the appropriate support.
Documentation and Follow-up: Keeping records of your interactions and referrals can be helpful, especially for any meetings with supervisors or administrators. It shows you took the situation seriously and acted responsibly.
In your upcoming meeting, it might help to express your intentions clearly: that you were following safety protocols while also trying to support her well-being. It could also be beneficial to discuss how to better handle similar situations in the future, potentially seeking guidance on further training related to mental health crises in an academic environment.