How would you handle a student who constantly disruptive or defiant?

If I were asked this question by a principal during a job interview I would respond by saying, handling students who are defiant or disruptive is often part of the job of being a teacher. The most important factor is prevention. This can be done by making sure I change up activities enough and I make sure that I am giving respect to my students. Often, children won’t tell you directly what is bothering them so placing them aside the chat will help to get to the root of the issue. While I believe it’s important to be assertive, being aggressive will only make the situation worse. Giving unfair punishments or raising my voice will only provoke the issue more. I’ve learned about this while working with delinquent students during my job as a resident treatment worker at a mental health facility. I’ve watched staff yell at children but all it does is escalate the situation. By being compassionate and understanding, I can create a learning environment which is better for all my students.