How to Help a Student that Hates the Teacher

There is a reason for the saying, "No more teacher's dirty looks". The majority of us can think back to childhood and remember a teacher that we didn't like. This situation stands out in our minds because it greatly affected us. Sure we're not traumatized by it and are healthy adults that survived it. Yet, that memory will stick out in our minds for a very long time. In fact, it remains with us as adults. Helping a child who doesn't like a teacher is important to their development.

OBJECTIONS: Why does the child not like the teacher? Talk to the child and find out. Sometimes it can be the pitch of the teacher's voice. It could be the way the teacher dresses. It could be the amount of homework the teacher gives to the child. Talk to the child and find out what the objections to the teacher are.

TALK ABOUT THE OBJECTIONS: Talk to the child about each of the objections. For example, my daughter did not like a teacher because she was too tall. I must admit that to a child a 6 foot woman was tall. That is tall to me! I explained to my daughter that we are all different. Her teacher couldn't help being tall. Whatever the objections are talk to the child about them. See if you can help the child understand the teacher better. Often times simply not understanding something about someone can cause us to dislike them.

GIVE ALTERNATIVES: Give the child alternatives to disliking the teacher. Let them know how much easier life is if you can try to like people. You don't have to be the teacher's best friend. You don't even have to think that the teacher is cool. It is even alright to like a teacher that everyone else dislikes. Individuality is what makes the world an exciting place to live.