Do you like your child's teacher?

[Anonymous]

I can't seem to connect to my child's teacher, she seems impersonal and distant. I've only asked a couple of general questions but she/they (2 teachers) seem to stand back when I or any parent approaches them. Thank goodness I don't have a serious question yet. As long as my child is learning and they care for her...right...

[Anonymous]

I like my DC's teachers. They seem very kind and manage to control a room full of 4 yrs olds in a language most of them don't know (yet). Honestly, I only interact with them at drop off and pickup so I don't expect to have a "deep" relationship with them. I ask my child if he likes them and he does so I like them too.

[Anonymous]

I adore my child's teacher. She is kind and forceful when she needs to be and really "gets" my (sometimes) quirky kid. She also wants to help him get where he needs to be. That being said, I hated his teacher last year, so this is a welcome change.

[Anonymous]

I haven't met my child's teacher yet. But I love that she responds to my emails within hours or the next day.

What do you do that you know the teacher so well?

[Anonymous]

So far so good, but it has only been 3 weeks. DS' K teacher seems responsive and skilled. I have exchanged notes and emails with her a few times, and I see her when I volunteer in the lunchroom/recess. She is always pleasant and seems very well liked by others (students, parents, other staff). Although I have seen a few of the other K teachers and while I don't know them, my gut reaction is that we lucked out.

[Anonymous]

Give it time - I didn't like one of my children's teachers last year at first - same thing - seemed kind of impersonal and distant. Ended up really liking the teacher and he/she was fantastic with the kids - just had a different style and not as warm from the get go.

[Anonymous]

It's personal just like any other adult relationship.... except that this is a very important relationship for your child with his/her teacher. As adults, we're able to quickly judge whether we connect with another adult (i.e. teacher). Just because you have a negative impression towards a particlar teacher, it's important to keep that inside. Some teachers can be aloof with adults and great with kids. You may not connect with a teacher, but the litmus test is whether your child connects with the teacher. Give it time and ask poignant questions about their day. The important relationship is the teacher/child relationship even if you don't necessarily connect right away/ever with their teacher. Try to see what your kid sees in a typical day and get engrossed in learning about what they do each day. You may be surprised. Our kids have had plenty of teachers I didn't connect with that were great teachers. Reflect on what a great teacher meant to you during this same time period. Did your parents necessarily get/understand that this teacher was so great?

[Anonymous]

It's not important to develop a bond with your child's teacher.

Why should that matter really?

What's important is that the teacher is engaging in the classroom and develops good rapport with the kids.

And honestly? It just prepares you for middle and high school when your child will have multiple teachers.

[Anonymous]

I have really like all 5 teachers my son has had at his DCPS school. And I really like my younger kids' (twins') teachers this year.

One of my older kids' teachers, I didn't personally connect with but I thought she was a really good teacher.

[Anonymous]

My kids have had a couple of teachers I didn't feel all warm and fuzzy about but I think they were good teachers. The important thing was if they were an acceptable fit with my kids. There will always be teachers/people you like less than others.

[Anonymous]

I would like to clone my son's teacher. OMG is she great! I could write a book about all the things I like about her. The sad thing is, I am a happier person because he has a good teacher and when he has teachers i don't like or even worse who I don't think likes him, it brings me down.