Engaging Troubling Students A Constructivist Approach pdf. Engaging Troubling Students: A Constructivist Approach: Scot Danforth, Terry Jo Smith. A Constructivist Approach. "Engaging Troubled Children is the first book for preservice teachers in special education that is substantial enough to be a primary course textbook that does not objectify troubled students by delineating a host of degrading labels and distancing and alienating technical interventions. Filled with rich narrative and designed for educators working with troubling students each day, this insightful, practical guide leads you in developing helpful, trusting student-teacher relationships.