A difficult teacher causes stress and infuses a perfectly normal child with oodles of under confidence. Hence, parents or students must find ways to deal with such teachers.
Start by defining who is facing the problem
In a majority of the cases, it is the teen that faces the problem. Harsh as it may sound, yet the teacher has no brunt to bear. But you cannot assume with 100% conviction that the teen is not at fault either. It is your responsibility as a parent, therefore, to get things fixed. Exploring a problem laterally, such as toying with words or challenging assumptions, is something all of us perform at one point or the other. In the same manner, a problem can also be viewed from varying âaltitudesâ. If the problem comes across looking somewhat daunting or overwhelming, then chunk it down or be more specific about it. However, coming back to the same point, always make sure that you judge the situation from different perspectives before arriving at a possible solution. Viewing it with different eyes gives you a deeper insight on newer and overlooked directions.
Parents must face the situation themselves
In dealing with a particularly difficult teacher, make the teen understand that the world is packed with difficult people, and that he/she should learn a better way of handling them. Your first responsibility, therefore, lies in not allowing the problems to mow you down. It needs to be kept in mind that it is, after all, the misery of the teacher and you have no business viewing the issue from a more personal viewpoint. In doing so, try and reflect positivity with a smile. While the process may take sometime, yet once you as a student or your teen does it, the so called âvictimâ is sure to bypass the gloom. Always make it a point to remain patient, even if the teacher seems uncooperative. If possible, arrange to meet the principal or other senior teachers. When all efforts fail, rectifying the situation is the best possible solution you can have. While hearing a biased person calling your child difficult may not sound very soothing to the ears, yet refrain from the use of profanity or foul language against the teacher.
Speak to the teacher
Holding a conversation with the teacher is very important before you go ahead and contact the principal or other higher authorities. The principal is sure to ask whether or not you had spoken with the teacher, and a negative reply here will do no good. Be sure to follow the procedures, and give the teacher enough chance to find a remedy. Never speak ill of the teacher when the child is around. As a parent it is your responsibility to accentuate your childâs respect for the teacher. If the teens feel that their parents have no respect for the teachers then it encourages them to show disrespect inside the classroom. If the child appears upset, then refrain from e-mailing the teacher. The conversation may come across sounding misconstrued, thereby paving way for larger issues. Therefore, arrange to meet the teacher in person. Be respectful in your attitude towards the head. If he still insists on siding with the teacher, then ask for the child to be transferred. A new environment, together with better teachers, will surely help your child tide over the crisis.
Triangulate the situation – ask other kids
Try and find out if your teen is the only one facing problems from the teacher. The teacherâs behavior may be accounted to certain underlying reasons. May be your child is difficult to deal with, a major reason that prompted his/her teacher to adopt a harsh attitude. After all, as they say âit takes two to tangoâ. Hence, be neutral in deciding the root cause of the problem. If possible speak to the teacher and seek his/her help in handling the matter. An open conversation between the parent and the teacher is likely to bring out positive results, and the person who appeared difficult may suddenly warm up to the situation. As a parent, it is your duty to remain positive and objective and concentrate more on the problems arising from the childâs end. Do not criticize or discuss the behavior of the teacher. Speak to other children and get a hang of the teenâs expected behavior. Keep the teacher reassured that he will have your support in so far as it concerns reinforcing certain behavioral norms in the child. Focus on the needs of the child. Emphasizing the needs of your child is one of the very first pre-requisites in changing the teacherâs attitude.
Accept the difficult teacher as a part and parcel of life
Quizzing information not covered in school qualifies as an act of prejudice. Your child must be able to share the frustration over the discrimination faced by him or her freely. Make sure that you agree with them, no matter what. The next step lies in finding a right person, one with a positive outlook, to speak to. This, in turn, makes the student more resilient. While teachers can get unpredictable at times, it is, nonetheless, a part and parcel of life. Discouraging as it may sound, yet try and take the escape route if the teacher remains adamant. Students can consider making the teachers undergo a survey of things they like. Keep a list of such things handy. Go through the book occasionally to find out if there are ways that you can demonstrate your appreciation and support towards the teachers.
