Let’s face it, being a teacher is not an easy job, especially for those working with large groups of young children, every day. It takes an unimaginable amount of patience to be successful in this career.
As an adult or parent, you are already aware that life involves interactions with a wide spectrum of people. We have our favourite and most adored loved ones, and then there are others – whose face, we just can’t stand.
There’s a broken record somewhere of all the parents who aren’t happy with their child’s teacher, but what happens when a teacher doesn’t like a student?
When you send your child off to school every day, you expect that they’re in good hands. But what if your kid isn’t happy with their teacher? Or what if the teacher isn’t happy with them?
Student-teacher conflict isn’t favourable for either party. If you suspect that your child is being alienated or picked on by a teacher there are healthy ways that you can help and teach your child to resolve any potential conflict.
This isn’t about you not liking a teacher, and you shouldn’t immediately leap on your child’s negative view of the teacher. Here are several steps that you can take when a teacher doesn’t like your child.
Openly Assess
It’s important to communicate with your child, although they’re still enjoying recess and craft time, they’re really training to become adults one day. Even kids need to learn that not everybody you meet is going to like you. Openly talk with your child about school. Are they acting out? Have they developed an unpleasant quirk or behaviour? Does the teacher have a different method of teaching than your child is used to? Work with your child to find the root cause to the problem, if there is one.
Meet the Teacher
Without judgement, set up a time to meet with the teacher. Remember that although this is your perfect child that you’re talking about, and there is no love deeper than that of a parent and child.. You have to remember that in the adult world. Not everyone has to love you. Even though you might not be able to comprehend how a teacher could not like your child, you need to try to be as unbiased as possible. Meet with the teacher and get an idea of what the classroom setting is like, ask about their educational philosophy, and observe. Ask what you can do to help, don’t tell them what they’re doing wrong. As a parent, you have to take responsibility for your child while still receiving suggestions from the teacher that aren’t coming from a place of anger or defense.
Strategize
Talk with your child about building relationships and how to get along with different personality types. This is an extremely valuable lesson to learn. We should know how to work with difficult people, because chances are – at some point we will have to. This student-teacher conflict may be a matter or clashing personalities and learning styles. Help your child to define what works for them, encourage your child to still learn what they can and if this educator truly is not providing quality education, then seek a change.
Both parents and educators should do everything they can to keep their children/students feeling motivated, welcome at school and ready to learn. Be the coach for your child through challenging situations, you should refrain from sheltering or removing them from conflict, instead positively mold and motivate them to be the kind of adult that we need more of in this world.
Growth and change are taking place in your child’s life daily. A little bit of extra work in the parenting department is always worth the time and effort. We should all be taught conflict resolution and effective communication skills, both of which are important tools for daily adult life.