Get your facts straight
As a school year wears on, a parent can become increasingly unhappy with their child’s teacher. Perhaps they feel as if their child is being singled out or that the teacher is not keeping control of their classroom. Whatever the reason, there are ways of trying to help while still being diplomatic and leading everyone to a positive solution.
Get your facts straight
Before you even approach the teacher, you want to know the specifics of why your child is unhappy. Don’t settle for “she’s mean to me”. Badger your child for specific details. If other children are involved, you need names. If it happens only during a certain subject, which one? There are always two sides to a story and you want the most complete picture you can get before hearing the other side.
Schedule a collaborative meeting
If it comes time to speak to the teacher, schedule a separate meeting rather than having a quick word at drop off or pick up. You want to have enough time to come to a resolution.
In your meeting, take the collaborative approach. Coming across as working toward a common goal is much more effective than demanding things or accusing the teacher of wrongdoing. Patiently ask to hear what the teacher’s perspective is. He or she might not even know that there is a problem. Ask how you can help in the situation. At the end of the meeting, both sides should have a clear idea of what they should do moving forward.
Follow up
Give it a week or two, then follow up with both your child and the teacher. Have they noticed a difference? What has been done (on both sides) to improve the situation. More often than not, they have started working better together.
The principal
If your child is holding up their end of the bargain but the teacher is falling short, or if there simply is not any progress being made, it’s time to get the principal (or assistant principal, if that is the teacher’s direct superior) involved. Again, take the collaborative approach. Explain the situation and the steps you have already taken. Take notes. Also again, everyone should know what he or she is doing to move the situation forward once the meeting has concluded.
The last resort: changing classes
Schools hate changing a student’s schedule. It throws off the balance of other classes and is disruptive to the child in question and their new classmates. But sometimes it’s unavoidable. After a reasonable amount of time and proper follow up (make sure the principal knows you aren’t going to let this drop), if no improvement in the situation has been made, it’s time to request a change. It’s the best way to rescue a school year that has probably become toxic.