8.      Drama Queen – This little girl likes attention, and she goes to great lengths to get the attention of the class and you.  She loudly proclaims that she needs to go to the bathroom or nurse because it’s her “time of the month”.  If a tragedy takes place involving anyone at the school, she will be too upset to go on.  She can cry at the drop of a hat, and uses that to play “emotional blackmail” on people so that she gets her way.  She starts rumors about her classmates and teachers, or happily spreads rumors that are already floating around the school…adding her own embellishments, of course.  The Drama Queen also overhears what students say about each other (and you) and enjoys “stirring the pot” by reporting what they said.  What you can do:  Drama Queens are like snowflakes…no two are exactly alike.  This presents a problem for me because I can’t give you a solution that works on every Drama Queen.  However, removing the DQ from her audience works most of the time.  I rarely advocate putting a student in the hallway for a cooling off period, but this technique usually works with Drama Queens.  Remember to keep the student in the hallway for only the same amount of minutes as her age.  So, a 13 year-old should be outside for no more than 13 minutes.  Let her know that she needs to drop the drama to be welcome back in your class.  If she comes back in and starts to weave her web of deception again…lather, rinse, repeat.  One bonus tip:  Male teachers, make sure you are not in a room alone with a DQ.  She has a vivid imagination, and vindictive DQ’s have been known to make up all sorts of wild accusations against male teachers.  If you have to conference with her, do it in the hallway, or in your room with the door open.

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