Pic 0: Ms. Dixon sits across from a light skinned man at a table.
Ms. Dixon: So how is everything, George?
Mr. Walker: Could be worse, can’t complain. Blew my knee out a while back, and it’s still acting up, especially on the stairs out there.
Ms. Dixon: Ouch.
Mr. Walker: Ouch is right. But hey, good excuse to make the kids carry attendance forms to the front office. What about you, how’s things?
Coach: There is a gray engage meter at the bottom of the screen which is completely filled.
Ms. Dixon decides to raise the subject and chooses the following dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: Why didn't you tell me about Scotty Moy being bullied?
Mr. Walker: Uh, who?
Ms. Dixon: Scotty Moy, he’s a student here, sixth grade? He came to me the other day and reported that he's been repeatedly harassed because of selfies he's posted online.
Mr. Walker: Slow down. Why would I have told you about any of this?
Coach: Ms. Dixon’s tone caught Mr. Walker off guard and made him uneasy. She should try getting Mr. Walker’s side of the story by asking open ended questions and explaining what Scotty told her, keeping a neutral tone.
The engagement meter decreases by a fifth.
Ms. Dixon decides to confront and chooses the following dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: You were there after an incident last month but, as far as I know, you didn't do anything about it.
Mr. Walker: As far as you know.
Ms. Dixon: Right.
Mr. Walker: But that's not stopping you from coming at me, like, look, I'm trying to figure out what you might be talking about, but. Did he say he spoke to me?
Ms. Dixon: Yeah, last month, during lunch? I don't recall you saying anything to me, and, well, I was hoping to get some more information about it.
Mr. Walker: I’m not, oh, you’re talking about, right, right. Yeah, that, it, it was during lunch.
Coach: Instead of making assumptions about Mr. Walker’s role in Scotty’s situation, which only makes him defensive, Ms. Dixon should try getting his perspective by asking questions and keeping a neutral tone.
The engagement meter decreases to being filled halfway.
Ms. Dixon decides to get info and chooses the following dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: You need to tell me exactly what happened.
Mr. Walker: Woah. Detective Dixon over here.
Ms. Dixon: Please?
Mr. Walker: You know, it’s feeling like you came in here with an agenda.
Ms. Dixon: No, I’m just trying to understand what happened.
Mr. Walker: In fact, I’m feeling a little bullied here, like, if.
Ms. Dixon: Bullied?
Mr. Walker: Yeah, I’m, I’m uncomfortable with this conversation. It feels like you’re ambushing me.
Coach: Ms. Dixon’s forceful tone (“You need to tell me what happened”) made Mr. Walker uncomfortable and defensive. She should remember that this conversation isn’t punitive, she’s first trying to understand what happened from his perspective.
The engagement meter decreases significantly.
Ms. Dixon decides to push back and chooses the following dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: I wouldn’t have to “ambush” you if you had your done your job.
Mr. Walker: You know what, we’re done here. I have to get to class.