My daughter’s teacher hates me
Dec 01, 2002
IT all began with the concern I raised over my child’s class-work. Like any responsible parent, I felt concerned that my daughter (in P.6) was declining in English.
IT all began with the concern I raised over my child’s class-work. Like any responsible parent, I felt concerned that my daughter (in P.6) was declining in English. When I asked her about her English homework, she told me she was not given any. I went and talked it over with the teacher.
My daughter’s English teacher, who also happened to be her class teacher, had no kind words for me. Her main complaint was that my daughter was “too lazy to be helped.†This did not go down well with me. I approached the Headmistress and she promised to work on it.
Since then, I have had a thorny relationship with this teacher and her face turns blue whenever she sees me on the school compound. I fear she might spill this hatred over to my daughter. How best should I handle this teacher?
K.L.K- Kampala
Dear K.L.K,
Several parents usually face the problem you have raised. Most teachers view parents who probe deeply on how their children are taught as a thorn in the flesh. Teachers by nature do not like to be followed up closely. This attitude makes you seem more of an ‘inspector’ to the teacher than a responsible parent. More so because you told Headmistress. Just as parents differ in temperament, so do teachers. Although the teacher’s conduct appears extreme and unprofessional, she is not unlike others. Since your child is still in her hands, you could make the hatred spill over to the innocent girl. The following tips can help you to handle this situation objectively.
l View this teacher as another human being who needs help in handling her emotions.
l Your relationship with her contributes significantly to your daughter’s performance. You therefore need to harmonise this relationship.
l Your going to the headmistress might have been perceived as an attempt to report the teacher. Should you face future difficulties which cannot be handled at the class teacher’s level, you can express your feelings to either the Director of Studies or the School Counsellor. This will help mend your relationship. Before this is done, both of you should be in control of your emotions and should view each other positively. One method to show the teacher that you are positive is to approach her and verbally thank her for helping your daughter. You can as well send a thank-you card
My daughter’s English teacher, who also happened to be her class teacher, had no kind words for me. Her main complaint was that my daughter was “too lazy to be helped.†This did not go down well with me. I approached the Headmistress and she promised to work on it.
Since then, I have had a thorny relationship with this teacher and her face turns blue whenever she sees me on the school compound. I fear she might spill this hatred over to my daughter. How best should I handle this teacher?
K.L.K- Kampala
Dear K.L.K,
Several parents usually face the problem you have raised. Most teachers view parents who probe deeply on how their children are taught as a thorn in the flesh. Teachers by nature do not like to be followed up closely. This attitude makes you seem more of an ‘inspector’ to the teacher than a responsible parent. More so because you told Headmistress. Just as parents differ in temperament, so do teachers. Although the teacher’s conduct appears extreme and unprofessional, she is not unlike others. Since your child is still in her hands, you could make the hatred spill over to the innocent girl. The following tips can help you to handle this situation objectively.
l View this teacher as another human being who needs help in handling her emotions.
l Your relationship with her contributes significantly to your daughter’s performance. You therefore need to harmonise this relationship.
l Your going to the headmistress might have been perceived as an attempt to report the teacher. Should you face future difficulties which cannot be handled at the class teacher’s level, you can express your feelings to either the Director of Studies or the School Counsellor. This will help mend your relationship. Before this is done, both of you should be in control of your emotions and should view each other positively. One method to show the teacher that you are positive is to approach her and verbally thank her for helping your daughter. You can as well send a thank-you card