Grade 1 teacher here. My principal is angry with me for not being “proactive” enough in supporting students with ADHD. I don’t know what she means or what changes I should make.

I had my yearly review with my principal today and she was very pleased with my teaching. However, she did bring up a concern about my willingness to accommodate students with ADHD. <br><br>Our school had 3 new students enroll mid January. One was in my class. I was given no training, tutoring, mentoring, or support. I was given a one page report from the principal summarizing the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and strategies that have worked in the past. <br><br>I used these strategies, and also worked hard to learn as much as I could from the student itself during the first few weeks of having them in my class. <br><br>Today, my principal expressed concern that I am “too reactive” rather than proactive. She said that I wait for the student to blow up before I try different strategies, and that sometimes those strategies are not effective and the situation gets worse. <br><br>She suggested that I should be more proactive and “be out in front of” behaviors before they escalate, rather than waiting for them to escalate and then trying to address it. <br><br>I’m just not sure what she means by this. I have tried creating a visual schedule. Creating a sensory room. Giving extra time to complete assignments. Giving extra break times. Giving one-on-one attention. Giving the student a special “job”. <br><br>I’m just really unsure of what else I can do. She didn’t give me any suggestions or ideas. I’m feeling frustrated and defeated because I feel like I have tried EVERYTHING and my principal is still unhappy with my support for this student.