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Parents often second-guess their kids? teachers for many reasons. Differences of opinion about discipline, incompatible educational philosophies, or plain old personality clashes could all be part of the problem. Here?s what to do when you don’t like your child’s teacher.
Keep your anger in check

Losing your cool or venting your frustration in front of your children isn?t going to help anyone, and it may even damage a student?s relationship with her teacher. ?Keep your negative thoughts about the teacher to yourself,? says Nikita Crook, a child and adolescent psychotherapist in West Vancouver. ?Negative comments from you will confuse your child, and he?ll go into the situation with less respect for the teacher.? Phil Kestrel,* a teacher in a small Arctic Canada town, says there?s always one parent who doesn?t see eye-to-eye with him, but serious problems only arise when they?re openly discussing their dislike for Kestrel with their kids at home. ?I can tell when my students hear their parents talking about me,? he says. ?It becomes apparent in our interactions.?
Take action

When you notice there?s a problem, set up a meeting right away, says Kestrel. ?Don?t wait. And don?t say, ?Well, let?s see what happens.? Talk about your issues, even if they seem small and insignificant.? If you don?t have a parent- teacher conference coming up, email the teacher to ask for a special meeting. It shows your concern, and they won?t automatically assume you?re a...