Student-Teacher Issues
What can I do if my child doesn't get along with his teacher?
If your child does not get along with his teacher, talk to your child and try to get to the root of the problem. It may be that there is some miscommunication between the child and the teacher. Perhaps you can suggest strategies to help the child and the teacher work more effectively together. But ultimately, emphasize that your child must remain respectful to the teacher. It could be a life lesson for students to learn, that we don't always get along with the individuals that we have to work with, but it's important that we still work collaboratively and meet our goals for the year.
How can I find out whether my child's teacher is effective?
Oftentimes, listening to your child is the most important way that you can determine if your child's teacher is effective. Listen to the assignments that your children are doing in class. Look at some of the assignments that are being sent home. Take the time to talk to your child's teacher, and realise that a lot of times students complain when they are being challenged or when they are forced to work hard, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the child's teacher is not effective.
How can I improve my child's relationship with her teacher?
A child and a teacher have a relationship outside of their relationship with the parents. It's important that the child and teacher are able to develop that relationship positively. Parents can assist in facilitating that positive relationship by offering insight to the teacher about the child's personal life. What is the student like at home? What does the child like and dislike? Perhaps inviting the teacher to get to know the student more as an individual and not just as a learner would make the formation of a good relationship easier.
Is it possible to have my child transferred to another teacher's class?
It may be possible to have your child transferred to another class. However, it's important that you consider the consequences before you make any decisions. Children may have a hard time adjusting to a new teacher in a new classroom. Social relationships may be disrupted, and ultimately, students may not learn the lesson of working through problems instead of running away from them. Therefore, think about it carefully before moving your child to another class.
Can I request a particular teacher for my child for next year?
It may be possible to request a particular teacher for your child in the upcoming year. It's best that you talk to your child's principal to determine if this is possible and what the procedure would be.