Nov

20

What To Do If You Think Your Child’s Teacher Really Hates Some Kids.

Filed Under The Way I See It 

Earlier I wrote a post about the difficulty teenagers have in reading the expressions on adults faces. It’s been my experience teaching teenagers that they often think that their teachers hate them when this is not the case. But what if it is the case that the teacher really does hate some kids? It does happen, unfortunately.

What are parents to do when they suspect a teacher is treating students unfairly or discriminating against them? As a parent my first reaction is to want it to go in there and tear off the teachers head or at least give the teacher a piece of my mind telling her or him how dare they do whatever…. But, that may not be the most useful way of doing things. My first instincts are not always the most useful. Let the system work for you. it does work. You just have to be persistent.

First, I think it would be useful to have a meeting with the teacher to find out how things are going for your child in the teacher’s class. Just call and make an appointment to talk to the teacher face to face. Face to face is better because it helps eliminate misunderstandings that could arise over the phone. If you feel uncomfortable going to the meeting alone, take someone else along for moral support or someone who has more experience in this area. I’ve been at meetings where parents have brought advocates. I think that’s a good idea. At the meeting, ask what you can do to help your child be more successful at home and what the teacher will do to help your child be more successful at school. Get details and write them down as you formulate your action plan. Tell the teacher you’ll call in about a week to see how things are going. (You could volunteer to help out if you are free during the day. That’s a good way to see what’s going on.) Keep in constant contact. Keep in constant contact. I can’t emphasize this enough. Write everything down and date it. Create a paper trail. If you are still unhappy with what goes on in the classroom , then meet with the principal and take your paper trail along with you. Give the principal a chance to get involved and see what happens. If things are still not resolved then move your concern up the ladder to the next position of responsibility. Some parents have to take their concerns right to the top. Don’t be afraid to do this. There’s too much  at stake. In our board board, we have elected trustees who advocate for parents and students. Get in touch with them someone as well. It’s their job to help you. That’s why they got elected.

If a teacher is treating a group of kids unfairly, parents could get together as a group and take their concerns to the principal. Parents have a lot of power. More than they realize. Be assertive. It’s not a popularity contest. The principal wants teachers to do a good job. They don’t want problems and it’s their job to help teachers who for whatever reason aren’t doing their jobs professionally. Like I tell my students, you don’t have to love everyone, but you have to respect them and that means treating them in a certain way.

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