One of the first things that we learn to deal with in school is that not every teacher has the same personality. Some teachers have a wonderful attitude with their teen students, while other teachers sometimes struggle with communication. To succeed in the classroom, one has to learn how to deal with all types of teachers. Every student at one time or another feels as though a teacher is picking on them. Sometimes this is the case, but most often this is a misconception or misunderstanding. Here is how to deal with a difficult teacher, whether it is perceived or reality.
The first step to dealing with a difficult teacher is to correctly assess the situation. Not every teacher is capable of making you feel comfortable in the classroom equally. Some teachers are simply not blessed with the social skills that others are. This does not mean that they can not be effective teachers, and still teach you what you need to know. It simply means that they go about it in a very different way. The first thing you should do is ask yourself if the teacher treats all the students the same way? If the answer to this is yes, then you have your answer. If the answer is no, then you need to have the courage to ask them why.
Teachers spend a large amount of time with very difficult students. When you consider that the average teacher has 4 to 5 classes per day, and 20 to 30 students per day, then you can begin to understand that the odds of them having a difficult student are quite high. This can take even the best teacher and push their patience to the very edge. If the teacher has only one difficult student per class, that is still at least five problems per day on an ongoing basis. Keep this in mind the next time you feel as though the teacher is being unfair. A teacher’s job is far from easy.
If after considering these facts you still feel as though the teacher is picking on you, then it is time to sit down and talk with them privately. Some students feel more at home doing this with their Parents present, and some would rather go it alone. Whichever scenario seems more comfortable to you is the one that you should take.
When you sit down with your teacher, let them know that you want to be the best student possible. Let them know that you are feeling as though they are picking on you, and be sure to have specific examples ready. Do not speak to your teacher in a disrespectful way. Speak openly but respectfully, and lay out the reasons why you feel the way that you do. Usually you will find that the majority of teachers will appreciate you coming to talk to them. Often you will find that they have no idea that you felt that way at all. If nothing else, it will allow your teacher to explain to you why they are doing what they are doing.
In the event that you were not happy with a conversation with your teacher, then the next step would be to speak with your parents. This is, of course, assuming that your parents were not at the conference. Letting them know how you feel about your teacher will allow you the opportunity to give your side of the story. Ultimately, you will need to find a way to work through the problems. It is very rare that you are able to switch teachers in the middle of a semester or school year. In extreme situations where you feel you are being picked on unfairly, it is sometimes a good idea to have your parents meet with the principal.
