Journal May 2026 Release_Full Edition - Flipbook - Page 14
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Virginia:
I’ve noticed that there’s some Trouble in the classroom today, and
I’m wondering if you could help me to keep it out in the hallway. Just
for today. Do you think you could help?
Darnell:
Okay. What do I do?
Virginia:
I’m not sure what would work. Do you have any ideas?
Without any direction from me, Darnell grabbed the doorknob, opened the door,
stepped out into the hallway, and yelled:
Darnell:
Stay out of here!!!
“Oh, no,” I thought. Yelling in the halls was prohibited, and I worried that someone
might show up to find the source of the infraction. Darnell and I could both be in
big trouble.
Virginia:
That sounded pretty forceful and strong. You think Trouble will listen
to you?
Darnell:
Oh, yeah.
Trouble tries to find a way in, but fails
Virginia:
Wow, that would be great, wouldn’t it? I’m wondering if you could
use your 11½ year old strength to help with one more thing. It looks
like Trouble might have been hanging around your table and stirring
things up for all of you, making people say things to make Tim cry. Do
“It’s Taken Care Of”: A Collaborative Effort by a Student and a Teacher to Keep Trouble out of the Classroom
Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy, May 2026 Release, p. 9-24.
www.journalnft.com