Kontan.

There’s always one in each class. This is my second year to deal with this one. He is an arrogant know-it-all that fully embraces his genius. He is also not nearly as smart as he thinks he is. Intelligent, highly. Motivated, no way. He also is seriously lacking in the social skills department. It is like Frantic is socially uncomfortable to be around, he is simply rude and inconsiderate. What he has to say is more important than anything else and it needs to be said where everyone can hear. Frantic also holds the view that I am an idiot who is too lazy to instruct.

A few examples…

Last year he believed my chosen direction for the class was off base and Civics needed to ignore government and focus more on economics. That’s great and all, but econ made up less than 1/3 of the curriculum and the end of course test would be rather difficult if I discarded the other 2/3 of the required information.

This year the trend continues. Instead of having a 22 student discussion our summer reading I divided them into three groups for discussion that they would guide and I would observe, offering input periodically. Frantic commented that this was an “interesting teaching strategy” for me to employ. Keep in mind it is not always what you say, but how you say it. He hated the summer reading and made it obvious to everyone. Most of the students really got something out of it, even if they found the author arrogant and annoying. Oddly enough, it was Frantic’s group that had to have the most direction in discussion since his dominant personality kept the group frequently misguided.

The most recent obnoxious action was yesterday. We have one minute remaining and I have to inform students of a few things. They are standing, ready to walk out the door and I am rattling off. Students are attentive and making sure they get everything they need. Frantic raises his hand when I am in mid-sentence. I glance his way and keep talking. He waves. Still talking. He waves the other hand too. Trying to ignore him and finish my thought. Frantic begins to bounce up and down like a small child who is excited he knows the answer. Can’t ignore him anymore. “Buddy, I see you and I am trying to finish a thought. Wait a sec.” He’s shocked. Other students just shake their heads. They are used to his rude antics, yet still annoyed.

Understand, I really like this kid…when he isn’t being his freakin’ frantic arrogant self.