Question: My daughter, a third-grader, often comes home in tears saying her teacher does not like her. This is the first time she has ever had a man for a teacher. Her father and I are divorced, and she does not see him often. I hate to see her so unhappy, but I really don't know how to handle the situation. - Concerned
Answer: When your daughter comes home in tears, have her describe the incident or incidents that upset her. In a short time, you should have a good idea of what is making her so unhappy with this teacher. Possibly the teacher's mannerisms and methods are very different from the way your child is being raised at home. Just talking to your child might go a long way toward resolving the situation.
You will need to make an appointment to talk to your child's teacher. He might not even be aware that she is so upset, especially if her tears don't start until she is out of the classroom. And he probably doesn't realize that the child believes he dislikes her.
You do need to tell the teacher about your daughter's relationship with her father. It might be part of the problem. Teachers definitely need to know what is going on at home, since it can affect the child's schooling. In the same way, you need to learn more from the teacher about how your child is behaving in the classroom.
The teacher will probably be eager to build a better relationship with your child. Teachers want young children to feel comfortable in their classrooms. If the situation doesn't turn around after your conversation with the teacher, you should visit the classroom and observe how the teacher is interacting with your child and the other students. If you then believe that outside help will be necessary to resolve the situation, it is time to speak to the principal. Together, you should be able to come up with other options.