Q&A for How to Deal With a Teacher You Dislike

If your teacher isn't doing his/her job, complain to the principal. Be specific about what you've observed and tell them that you wish your complaint to remain anonymous.

This is an unacceptable behavior. Try to tell the principal about this.

It's doubtful that your teacher really "hates" you, though if you are repeatedly loud when she is requesting quiet and therefore coming across as disrespectful, it may seem like she does. In some classrooms, conduct does affect your grade. If your teacher is really lowering your grade because she dislikes you, tell a trusted adult immediately. This is classified as discrimination and it is not allowed in a school setting.

Respectfully tell him or her that certain personal matters are not relevant in the classroom. If they continue to do this, make a complaint to the principal, superintendent, or any other administrative official.

Try to tell your school counselor and principal about it. If it's serious, make sure you stress the urgency of the matter. Make your concerns and worries clear to them. If they refuse, then make it clear to your parents. Calls from angry parents are never enjoyable for the school. Maybe even convince some of your friends' parents to do the same so that it looks like it's multiple people that are concerned about this teacher.

Report the issue to the principal and/or have your parents call and make a complaint. If you complain yourself, try to bring other students with you that can back up your claims of racism.

If a teacher is touching you without your permission, ask them to stop. You can approach them before or after class so you don't have to say it in front of everyone. If they continue to touch you, tell your parents and the principal.

Get together with the teacher and try to talk it out. Apologize for whatever happened, even if you don't necessarily feel like you did anything wrong. Even saying, "I'm sorry about the misunderstanding" will go a long way. She'll be impressed that you're mature enough to try to resolve this conflict.

Tell your principal or parents about this. You are not stupid, and it's completely unprofessional and wrong for a teacher to be saying that to you.

If you have proof that a teacher is talking about you behind your back, go to the principal and tell them this. It's very unprofessional and they will probably get in trouble for it.

They're probably just teasing you playfully, but if you feel like they were really being cruel about it, approach them before or after class and tell them your feelings were hurt, or file a complaint with the principal.

Just smile, don't say anything, and keep walking.

Talk to them before or after class, and explain how this is making you feel. Remain calm and respectful during the conversation. If that doesn't help, go talk to the principal or a guidance counselor. A teacher should not be yelling at you for getting something wrong, it's their job to educate you, not humiliate you.

Talk to your principal about it. If switching is possible, your parents will be required to sign a note (or may need to meet with the principal), and then you'll be switched.

Simply explain to the teacher that you are having difficulty, don't tell them you think they didn't teach you properly, just say you don't understand. If the question comes in an exam, try your best to work out the question logically. In the future, read ahead in the textbook and try to get together with your classmates so you can discuss the material together.

Turn in your homework. Always write down the assignment as soon as he/she gives it to you. Use a planner and check your planner before you leave school to make sure you're bringing home all the needed supplies, then check the planner again when you get home and start doing your homework. You shouldn't have any reason to be nervous if you do this.

Try to talk with them about it after class. If this happens often, go to your counselors or principal and file a complaint.

It's very difficult to get a teacher fired. If you've already complained to the principal, try going above them to the superintendent or school board. If that doesn't help, see if you can switch to a different class. If all else fails, just do your work in the class and be as respectful as possible. They won't be your teacher forever.

Try having a calm discussion with him/her before or after class and explain how you're feeling and why. Ask for what you need (more time to complete assignments, clearer instructions, extra help before or after school, etc.). If he/she is unwilling or unable to help you, talk to the principal or a counselor, or ask your parents to schedule a conference.

Don't be biased. You are not your sibling. The teacher might actually like you. It happens all the time.

Tell your teacher that you turned the assignment in, and tell your parents what happened. Hopefully the teacher will believe you and back you up with your parents. If no one believes you, as unfair as it is, you'll probably just have to accept your punishment.

Get a group of students from your class together and go to the principal. Tell him/her what this teacher is doing while you have your classmates there to corroborate your story. If you don't want to do that, tell your parents about it and ask them to call the school and complain.

If you mean that you have high grades on all your assignments but somehow you still have an F in the class, you should have your parents call the school and ask for a conference with the principal. Have them bring your assignments to show them the grades you've gotten. Otherwise, all you can really do is try your best to turn things around. Participate in class, turn everything in on time, and generally do your best.

If it's a situation where they don't want you to go right that second because they're explaining something important, or class is almost over, try your best to wait. However, if you absolutely must go, then go. They really can't punish you for going to the bathroom in an emergency, and if they try, you should have your parents call the school and complain.

Try to keep records of everything. Take pictures of your finished assignments or just show them to you parents when they're done so they can see you did the work.

Bring it to the principle or the counselor and back up your points with facts and witnesses so the teacher has no claims to fall on. It may not work, but it's your best bet.

Think about how much your classmates raise their hands. Have you been participating a lot more than they have? If so, don't be offended - the teacher might want to give other students a chance to share their knowledge too.

If that happens, tell a parent or another trusted teacher. If it is really bad, you can report it to the principal. If you think that you'll get in trouble you're probably right. The worst thing you could do is keep the situation to yourself.

Maybe your teacher is just telling you to be nice to that kid. Or, if you don't have any friends, maybe your teacher is just trying to help you out by giving you a chance to bond with someone. You don't have to be friends with anyone you don't want to be friends with.

How do you know he knows who the culprits are? People who do something wrong usually don't want to admit it because they want to avoid getting in trouble. If he knows who the culprits are and is punishing the whole class, he is doing the right thing by punishing the culprits, and the wrong thing by unfairly punishing the people who had nothing to do with it.