Case Study: “Everybody’s Looking at Me!

Bailey Baughn

Chesapeake College

Educational Psychology PSC-220

1. One of the main issues in this case is that there is a middle school female student who

wants to stand out and be noticed. Angela seems to blend in well with her peers but one

day she decides that the only way the cute boy will pay her any attention is if she wears

“different” provocative clothing. In the back of her mind she knows that if her mother

were home her mother would have not allowed her to go out of the house dressed the way

she was. Another issue is that when Angela gets to school she gets attention, but it’s not

the attention she wanted or expected.

2. Angela wanted Alex to notice her. Not only did Alex notice her but so did everyone else.

The attention Angela received was not the attention she was looking for. Alex and many

other boys stared and made rude remarks and the other girls in school began to judge her

based on her outfit. She seemed to be the talk of the school. Instead of positive attention

that she was hoping for to make herself feel better, she ended up feeling embarrassed

with negative attention on her.

3. Angela thought if she dressed the way she did the boy she liked would notice her, give

her attention, and like her. When Angela left her home she did not understand or think

about how her outfit would affect her or anyone else. All she wanted was for Alex to

notice her.
4. I think that Mr. Kross could have handled the situation differently. I think as a male

educator he handled this differently than a female educator may have which is okay. I

think that Mr. Kross should have pulled this student to the side and explained why she

needed to change. And if he didn’t feel comfortable explaining that to her maybe

involving a guidance counselor. Mr. Kross could have given her the option to either call

home, and have her explain to her mom what the issue was and have the possibility of

mom bringing another change of clothes. But after he made her change in the P.E. clothes

knowing she did not want to, did he check in on her to make sure she went back to class

or could he have communicated with Ms. Brock to let her know that she had to change

and she should be in the class so that way Ms. Brock would have known sooner that she

was missing?

5. I think Ms. Brock could have done a better job handling this situation. As a female she

should have been able to try to connect with this student and understand why she felt the

need to try to gain attention. It is normal for girls that age to want others to notice them in

a positive way and they want to feel good about themselves. But as a future female

educator I think it’s so important to make connections with these kids and learn them as

individuals. Was this only about Alex? Or is there something going on at home where

Angela is desperately craving attention? I think Ms. Brock should have sat down and had

a conversation with Angela. She should have tried to make a connection and make her

feel supported and comfortable. For some kids teachers are the only good stable role

models in their lives. Maybe Angela’s mom isn’t around much and she needs that female
guidance in her life to explain to her that there are other ways to express yourself and get

positive attention.