Does Your Child Have a Bad Teacher?

Truly bad teachers are unusual, but they do exist. Today, most states require a college degree and a mentored student-teaching internship before someone can teach in the classroom. Occasionally, however, someone who might not be fit to be a teacher becomes one—or stays in the position long after their enthusiasm for the job is gone.

When your child complains about a bad teacher, it's natural to worry about how they are doing in school. You may wonder what they are learning, if they are anxious or sad, and if they will be ready to move on to the next grade level.

While these concerns are valid, there are ways to cope with this situation and help your child feel good about their teacher and school day.

Types of "Bad" Teachers

What is a "bad" teacher, really? Some teachers are victims of the rumor mill and develop an unfounded reputation as mean or ineffective, while others are just that.

The following are some of the most common types of teachers that get a reputation as being "bad" among kids:

• The boring teacher: Boring teachers alternate between lecturing the class and handing out worksheets. While more engaging teachers give lectures and worksheets occasionally, they also incorporate hands-on assignments, projects, and group discussions to inspire their students.
• The no-control teacher: This teacher's classroom feels more like a party than an organized learning environment. Students chatter during lessons, talk back to the teacher, and may even throw things during class. Some students may like this teacher, but can't tell you what they are supposed to be learning in school. Other students may complain the classroom is noisy, chaotic, stressful, or overwhelming.
• The simple teacher: This teacher doesn't teach the material in-depth and sticks to a one level for all approach. Your child may complain of being bored or say school is too easy. You may notice that your child's schoolwork is much easier than it has been before and requires little effort to complete. Your child's teacher should work at your child's general level.
• The mean teacher: A mean teacher is unwilling to make exceptions for students who are truly struggling. They may yell at kids, roll their eyes when asked questions, and make fun of students. They seem to dislike children.

How To Find out if Your Child Has a Bad Teacher

Every teacher has bad days—but one bad day does not make a terrible teacher. The truly awful teacher falls into one or more of these categories regularly. Before you act, you need to find out more about the situation.

Gather information 

Usually, parents who worry their child is dealing with a bad teacher are concerned for one of two reasons: Either the child has come home from school telling them terrible stories about their day or the parent has heard awful stories from other parents.

Your first instinct may be to jump right in and make changes—don't. Instead, pause and gather the necessary information to fully understand what is happening before doing anything else. The stories you have heard from your child or friends may not be the entire story.

Your child may have misunderstood what the teacher told them, or they could be repeating a silly rumor going around the school between kids. Your friends who don't like the teacher may not have been willing to consider that their child may have had a hand in causing problems at school.

Talk with your child

Getting your child to think about the material they should be studying in school can pique curiosity and become a learning practice. An ineffective teacher may give out assignments but not ensure the material clicks.

You can help at home by asking questions and encouraging your child to think more deeply about their classwork.

Here are some prompts to get you started:

• Can you teach me what you learned about today?
• Are you wondering anything else about what you learned?
• How do you think you might use that knowledge in the future?

This kind of discussion gets kids thinking more about their studies and gives parents invaluable clues about their teachers and what is happening in the classroom.

How To Respond to Bad Teachers

Once you have a bit more information, there are several steps you can take. Your child has been assigned to this class for this year. Everyone benefits when parents have a positive relationship with the teacher and the school. Choosing the best strategy to take when handed something that does not meet our expectations can prepare us—and our children—for challenging problems we may encounter in the future.

Support your child

Help your child by first asking them to pinpoint the issue and what they think might improve it. Suggest some coping techniques they can use to deal with the problem in the classroom.

For example, if the teacher doesn't answer questions, can your child find the answer in a book, from their classmates, a website, or their notes? If the classroom is chaotic, can your child move to a quiet spot in the room or the hallway to do their work?

Try a role-playing scenario where your child can practice approaching their teacher about the problem. Or, you can coach them with a few talking points they can use on their own when talking to the teacher.

Above all, supporting your child and assuring them you take their concerns seriously is important. Let them know you understand and will be there to guide them every step of the way.

Talk with the teacher

Schedule a time to talk with the teacher. It is best to do this in person, if possible. Let the teacher calmly know what your child has shared with you, and give the teacher a chance to respond. Be careful to present what your child has said without being accusatory. Always be respectful when talking with the teacher.

The teacher may explain the events differently or be totally unaware of how they are perceived. After hearing how your child feels, they may be moved to reflect upon their behavior and take a fresh approach.

It may not be easy to hear, but you may learn your child is part of the problem. For example, their teacher may be unwilling to assist them because your child refuses to pay attention, participate, follow directions, or take notes in class.

Watching the class in action is often enough to help parents understand all the dynamics at play. Every school has different rules about parent visitors, so check with the office and the teacher before you schedule a day to stop by and observe.

Talk with the principal

Administrators are extremely busy and generally defer to their staff members as professionals to resolve classroom issues. Remember that involving the principal is essentially complaining to the teacher's boss. The teacher may resent you for "tattling" on them, and a petty teacher may hold this against your child.

Begin by clearly stating what you see as the problem in one or two sentences. Be prepared to explain how you know what you know. Talk about what happened and how it affected your child.

Don't expect the principal to detail how they plan to handle any issues with the teacher. Any disciplinary action is likely to be handled with discretion.

Ask to change teachers

Switching teachers is a last resort. Changing classrooms means adjusting to new peers, a new routine, and different classroom rules. Some schools may be unable to provide a different teacher due to staffing limits or district policies.

If you can't change teachers or schools, do your best to fill any learning gaps as quickly as possible. Look into tutoring or other options to provide learning outside of school. This way, your child will be up to speed and ready to move on to the next grade the following year.

Teach your child coping and self-regulation skills for navigating the situation so they feel empowered to advocate for themselves. Check in with them often to ensure the situation hasn't become worse and monitor their emotional and mental well-being.

Remember that while an entire school year with an ineffective teacher is far from ideal, it is not the end of your child's education. Other subjects and other school years will bring different teachers into your child's life. View their experience as a lesson in how to handle difficult situations and difficult people—skills that will be very helpful throughout their lives.