John was in middle school. He was very likable, which was a good thing, because he required a lot of attention. He enjoyed negative attention, which I didn’t understand at the time. He would constantly thump someone on the head, take someone’s paper, etc. As a beginning teacher I didn’t have a lot of tricks in my bag for students like John. So I decided to ask for help from his parents. Since there was no answer when I telephoned, I wrote a note and sent it home with John. I received a scathing reply the next day. In essence the note said that John was the teacher’s problem while at school. His mother had to put up with him after school and on weekends and would not be bothered with any problems at school. Since this was the only time she had any peace, it was not to be disturbed. Well, John and I finally worked out a behavioral plan that did not involve his parents and John passed that year.

Update: As an adult, John was in and out of jail for minor offenses. John finally gave up being satisfied with negative attention and hung himself in the county jail. His parents are suing the county because John was neglected while in the county’s care.