Sometimes students challenge the teacher. They may question various issues:

• The teacher's right to make a certain class decision or rule
• The teacher's knowledge
• The teacher's authority
• The teacher's judgment
• The teacher's fairness

When this happens, it is important to remain calm. A well-placed joke may defuse the situation.

Refrain from threatening to go to a higher authority in the school. That may imply weakness. If a child threatens to go to the principal, don't look terrified, but do try to handle it yourself. After all, that child will present the principal with his side of the story, and he is unlikely to state your case fairly.

If it is clear that the child will go to the principal, do try to get there before the child. The first one to speak to the principal does have an edge. Keep in mind that the child is likely to find something that you said or did that you will regret. You don't want to be placed in a bad light.