child/teacher problems

[janny108]

Anyone have child/teacher problems? Ashley, 11 has always done well in school. Now she's in 5th grade and has a teacher a few years older than my son! She says she doesn't have my child's homework when there is no homework in the house so I don't know how to answer. I got a little griped; no happy Thanksgiving or anything. Grr. And some of her work is marked incorectly. When Ashley told her teacher, she says a grade is a grade. All her friends are in school but this teacher is sucking.

She recently got divorced and is dating the coach supposedly.
My husband is going to make an appointment to her next week. I just don't understand why she is not doing as well other than she just does not like her and maybe vice versa. She does have a "teachers pet" who always hangs around her and the coach in social settings in school.

 

[GolfingMom]

I replied in WD.

 

[HisW0rd]

Anyone have child/teacher problems? Ashley, 11 has always done well in school. Now she's in 5th grade and has a teacher a few years older than my son! She says she doesn't have my child's homework when there is no homework in the house so I don't know how to answer. I got a little griped; no happy Thanksgiving or anything. Grr. And some of her work is marked incorectly. When Ashley told her teacher, she says a grade is a grade. All her friends are in school but this teacher is sucking.

She recently got divorced and is dating the coach supposedly.
My husband is going to make an appointment to her next week. I just don't understand why she is not doing as well other than she just does not like her and maybe vice versa. She does have a "teachers pet" who always hangs around her and the coach in social settings in school.

You could try talking to the teacher but that is not worth it to me. I say go to the main source (principle) with your daughter and let her explain how she feels. Based on the teachers behavior, from what I am getting, I wouldnt want my child in her classroom. I would request for a different teacher.

 

[mstrohm]

janny108,

So sorry about this issue. It is always a rough time when our children are not getting along with a teacher!

As a long time teacher and administrator, let me encourage you to talk with your child's teacher. However, when you do, make sure the following happens in the conversation:
1. You show thanks and appreciation to the teacher.
2. Let the teacher know you are supporting them in front of your child (and make sure you do! - Nothing distresses a child more than having the important adults in their life not getting along.)
3. If you do not get agreement to work on the important issue, then restate your problem and help the teacher know how the problem affects you and how they can help.
4. If that does not work, politely state that this is such an important issue that you feel compelled to talk to the principal, but were hoping to be able to deal with it in this discussion.
5. Finally, if all of that does not work, go to the principal.

As a Christian, help your child to understand that they are under authority. That does not mean that everything an authority figure does is right, but help her see that there are "right" and "wrong" ways to handle issues. Daily pray for her teacher. Then, pray God helps you both learn and grow, no matter what happens!

May God bless you both in this situation.

Mark Strohm
Mark Strohm on Blog Talk Radio