What to Do When You Do Not Approve of Your Child’s Teacher

Now that your children are in school, you will quickly find that not all teachers can be stellar examples of what is best for your child’s individual needs.  What is the best way to deal with a teacher who you believe is not creating a positive learning environment for your child?

 

Patience and a Positive Attitude Are Key

 

Keep in mind that it may take time for your child and their new teacher to adjust to one another.  Each teacher has their own unique style of teaching.  Your child may just need some time to become acquainted with the new teaching methods being offered to them.  It will also take time for a teacher to get used to the behavior of all of the students in their class.  Their teaching approach is likely to improve as they figure out your child’s distinct learning style.

 

It is equally important to remain positive.  If you show your child that you disapprove of their teacher, they will take that as a cue from you that their teacher should not be respected.  As a result, the rest of the year will become a lot more difficult and the learning environment even less productive.

 

Take an Honest Look at the Situation

 

If your child does get along well with their teacher and seems to be thriving in the learning environment provided for them, it’s time to view the situation with as much clarity and honesty as possible.  Set aside any personal differences that you may have with your child’s teacher.  All parents would love to have their child taught by someone with views similar to their own.  However, considering how many years your child will be in school, it is important to realize that you won’t be on the same page with every one of your child’s teachers.

 

It is also very easy to assume things about a teacher simply by what you have heard from other people, including your child.  Avoid jumping to conclusions.  While it is important to listen to your child, also remember that children may have reasons for not wanting to be in a specific classroom.  These reasons may have nothing to do with the learning environment a teacher sets up for their classroom.  For example, some children may want to be in another classroom simply because their best friend is there.

 

Set up a Private Meeting

 

Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher where you can discuss your concerns face to face.  Remember that the meeting should be a conversation, not a list of accusations or demands.  Let the teacher talk first before you begin the discussion.  Putting the teacher immediately on the defensive will prove to be counterproductive in the end. 

 

If a conversation with your child’s teacher does not bring about improvements, you can resort to setting up a meeting with the teacher and principal.  Sometimes a principal will be able to resolve the issue if all else fails.  Your very last resort should be having your child moved to another classroom.  Be sure to exhaust all of the other possibilities before making this decision, as this move often causes more problems than it solves.

 

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