Teacher Personality: Implications for Achievement in Reading

Remedial reading students are unique individuals. They often have poor self-concept and may be frustrated from years of being labeled as underachievers. Often these students become discipline problems and act out their frustrations by assuming the roles of class clown, bully, cool dude, or anyone of many character parts which are used to hide feelings of inadequacy. The problems of these students are very real, and the students will use every facade imaginable to cover them up. Typical defense mechanisms include temper tantrums, fighting, flagrant impulsive insults, brooding bouts, and apathy--to cover up feelings of frustration and hopelessness (Mitchell, 1976)