Hello!

I feel like my child is constantly being picked on for little things. Her hair was messy as kids get that by the end of the day, the teacher told my kid that her mum should brush her hair properly. My child picked up a few words that we don’t use as they are negative like “can’t”. She has picked these up off shows like Dora. My child’s teacher asked if anyone in her family was American which is a no. She then accused my child of having a fake accent. We try to send our child to school as “correctly” as possible to avoid criticism. The other day the teacher rang up and said that my child has an attitude problem. All my child’s other teachers have loved her and there has been no issues. She gets praised on her helpfulness, learning, and manners so I do not understand what is going on. My child is still well behaved at home and her friends parents will invite her over for plays so she must be OK with other children and people’s rules. I was advised by a friend to go to the principal and have not yet had this meeting. Let the principal deal with it but I fear that if we do and my child stays in the class, that she will get more negative attention. My child also has not received one award this year vs other years where she received a lot. What would you do and sorry for the very long question but I was trying to explain it a little bit.


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  • I would ask for a chat with the teacher and try to get clear what exactly her issue is with your child.
    Make a complaint by the Principal about this teacher and request a transfer to another class.


  • You are the mum, is there any chance you could be uber sensitive and maybe over reacting. Just a though as I’m a mum too and know I sometimes get a bee in my bonnet when not necessary


  • They only have a teacher for one year, I’m sure she’ll survive. Have you tried speaking to the teacher?


  • I’ve had similar issues with teachers in the past. It sounds like the teacher has taken a genuine dislike to your child, which is both unfair, and unethical for a teacher. I would strongly recommend lodging a polite complaint with the teacher themselves initially, then after a week when nothing happens, step it up to the Principal, then if nothing happens from there, you can email the Minister for Education. DEFINITELY go through the correct channels first, though, as it is very embarrassing to be called out like a school-child. Lol. Best of luck with it. I hope your child finds some respite soon. If not, I think last resort is new school/home school (wherever possible). Good luck!


  • Hmmm, a hard one. I would try the principal chat to start with, see how that goes. Then maybe set up a parent teacher appointment and gave a chat with her teacher. This might give you an indication of whether the teacher could be part of the problem


  • It sounds like this teacher is picking on your daughter!
    You’ve had no other issues any other year or with any other teachers this year.
    So what if she has a “fake accent”? She’s a child! She’s meant to have an active imagination!
    Make an appointment with this teacher & if you’re not satisfied with the results take it up with the principal & perhaps look at having your daughter moved into another class.
    No child should be picked on at school, let alone by a teacher!


  • I would suggest a meeting with the teacher. Focus on the primary objective of your child going to school – that is, her academic learning and her social interactions. Then, raise the unrelated issues, such as her hair, picking up American inflections from Dora etc..

    Find a way to show the teacher, what is important to focus on and what is not. Also, if there is a legitimate issue with your child’s behaviour or learning, the teacher can raise it with you directly.


  • Sounds like the teacher has issue. I would take to the principle


  • I would try and get to the bottom of this with the teacher first. Ask what the specific problems she/he has with your daughter.
    If this fails or you are still unsatisfied then have a talk to the principal.
    Best of luck and hoping for a good out come for you and your daughter. :-)


  • Talk to the teacher first & if you feel she has singled out your child unfairly, I would definitely speak to the principal.


  • I would try the principal chat. Explain your fear of making things worse by talking to him/her but you’re at the end if your tether as what else to do. See if things improve after the chat, if they don’t, return for another chat. Explain things haven’t changed or have worsened and request a class change for your child. Good luck


  • It is the teacher with serious issues here. you need to address it otherwise it will really affect your child.


  • Request a meeting with the teacher first and try and get to the bottom of things. You’re well within your rights to request the principal to be at this meeting also. I hope. It all works out for you.


  • WOW…she sounds terrible. We had a similar situation at our school but the teacher was like that with all the children. Sounds like your child is being somewhat isolated. I’d speak to the teacher firstly, go through your concerns. If the behaviour doesn’t change, request your child moves classes.


  • I am a teacher and must agree that not all personalities get along but this teacher sounds a little abrupt. Before heading to the principal, I suggest having a meeting with the teacher in question and raise these concerns you have and give her a chance to rectify them. Maybe she is unaware of what she is doing? If this has already taken place, meeting with the principal may help (depending on the type of principal you have).


  • Also; often when these issues are addressed with the principal attitudes do change in classrooms as everyone is aware of what is going on!


  • I would suggest a meeting with the principal however if you are concerned with the repercussions perhaps try for a meeting with the teacher. It certainly sounds like the teacher is the problem however it would be interesting to see what they have to say one on one. If they refuse to meet with you or make excuses, I think that’s your answer and see the principal. I’d even investigate having her class changed. As a child I had some problematic and unsupportive teachers and it has a lasting impact. You’ve done well to recognise the issue as I think a lot of parents might overlook it as we get so busy/tired/etc


  • Not everyone gets along with everyone, it sounds like a personality clash…. I wonder if she clashes with other students? I think talk to the principal, maybe your child is the tip of the iceberg.


  • A meeting with the principal is a good idea and a three way discussion may be beneficial for everyone too. The principal is there to help and lead a school and support all students. They need to know what is going on, to be able to do something about the situation. Good Luck!


  • Have you gone to the teacher in question to ask what is going on? I would be doing that as a first priority then if it doesn’t get sorted I’d go to the principal.


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