Journal May 2026 Release_Full Edition - Flipbook - Page 22
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take control, they recorded their ideas in a book titled Advice for Kids and Teens
by other Kids and Teens. What an absolute joy to experience the delight and
pride that children feel when they realize their courage, creativity, and
wonderfulness.
Discussion
What stood out for me.
I found this approach with Darnell to be a little different from what I had learned
in classroom management trainings. Getting to know your students, tracking
behavior, correcting in private, and praising in public– all these, and more, were
part of what we practiced.
But what stood out for me in this interaction with Darnell was that he and his
expertise were given center stage. He had power (his strength) that I didn’t have.
He was willing to show me evidence of that strength by doing the test. I
wondered: had he ever before considered that he had such strength? What might
have gone through his mind about how he could use this mighty strength?
I mentioned that there seemed to be Trouble in the classroom, and Darnell didn’t
ask what I meant. So likely we both recognized that something was amiss and, by
talking about the problem – Trouble – in this way, we were both able to see it as
something separate from either of us. He was not accused of anything or shamed.
We were in this together.
He then responded to my request for help in keeping Trouble out of the room by
jumping in and collaborating with me! I was amazed. He immediately opened the
door and commanded it to stay away. He was loud and firm with Trouble. I had
not offered any prompt. I didn’t try to trade his assistance for a reward. He
wanted to help.
So, when it came to asking him to use his 11 ½ year old strength against Trouble
that was hanging around his table, he already knew what he wanted to do. He
took charge and made it right. Quickly.
It felt like we were two humans working together on a solution to a problem, and
he was the one who took the lead. That felt humbling yet very exciting to me. It
“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
