Addressing a Teacher With a Complaint

A complaint, after addressed, might be easily resolved.

It's all about chemistry. That's what psychologist Dr. Michael Thompson says about the relationship between student and teacher. "In the end, there is a fit between child and teacher," he says. "Some fits are good, some are not." Naturally, then, causes for complaint occasionally arise between student and teacher. Additionally, a student's parents may have a point of view that conflicts with a teacher's. But by respecting etiquette when addressing a teacher with a complaint, you'll make a hard situation easier and may even find that there wasn't anything to complain about after all.

Instructions

1. Speak with a parent, if you are a student living at home. If you are the parent, listen closely to your child's complaint. Isolate specifics. As a parent, don't underestimate the complaint, but don't overestimate, either. Always acknowledge your child's feelings.

2. Gauge the scope of the situation. It might be best for the student alone to address the teacher with the complaint. If you, as a student, don't like the grade you received on a test, consider first if you truly deserve a better grade. Did you study thoroughly? Did you underestimate the test's difficulty? If you see that you could have done better to prepare for the test or assignment, stay silent. Don't complain.

3. Make an appointment to visit the teacher. If you're the student and you want to address the matter quickly, politely approach your teacher after class and express your concern. If you have a lot you want to discuss or your teacher is busy, request to visit at a better time. If you're the parent, phone your student's school or teacher to make an appointment. If it's not urgent, consider waiting until the next parent-teacher conference.

4. Prepare to speak with the teacher. Whether you're the student or parent, make a list of your complaints and document why you think they're valid. Prepare with an open mind and imagine yourself in the teacher's shoes. Rehearse what you want to express. When you meet with the teacher, listen carefully. There may be factors involved that you weren't aware of or hadn't considered.

5. Approach the situation calmly. Sometimes a complaint goes beyond being upset over a grade or teaching style. If the student feels that she was harassed by the teacher in some way, it's easy for emotions to become highly charged, and quickly. Calm yourself and listen to your child. Get the teacher's side of the story first before telling others about the claim. If you have sufficient evidence, notify the school immediately. If the school doesn't act, notify the proper authorities.

References

• PBS: Addressing Problems
• Kids Health: Talking to Your Child's Preschool Teacher
• What Colleges Don't Tell You; Elizabeth Wissner-Gross
• Help! My Teacher Hates Me; Meg F. Schneider, David Goldin
• The Law of Higher Education; William A. Kaplin, Barbara A. Lee