Have any of your kids ever had a MEAN 1st grade teacher?

[Barb D]

DD6 starts 1st grade in two weeks, and she's a bit concerned that her teacher will be mean. I told her that I don't think there IS such a thing as a mean 1st grade teacher, but she says I only think that because I'm a grownup.

Could you please let me know if ANY of your kids have had a mean 1st grade teacher?

I was the 1st grade teacher for my older kids; we homeschooled back then.

 

[becjlek]

Both my boys had mean 3rd grade teachers.

 

[kayeandjim00]

I probably won't be much help I have no children but my own first grade teacher was AWFUL. Even my mom agreed with my assesment when I was older. I still remember her - she didn't even like kids I don't think.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

When my kids start with the fears, I try and reassure them that whether the teacher is nice or "mean" I will be there to help them.
That is what she wants most. Trying to be "right" in this situation is not helpful.
Teachers have bad days too and can seem mean, esp. if there is a trying kid in the class.
A child looking on at a kid getting disciplined can be worriesome for some kids.

 

[Barb D]

I probably won't be much help I have no children but my own first grade teacher was AWFUL. Even my mom agreed with my assesment when I was older. I still remember her - she didn't even like kids I don't think.

OK, I'm not telling her about this response!

And she doesn't have to worry about 3rd grade for two more years.

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughters first grade teacher was very nice. MY second grade teacher was a nightmare. She would tkae your desk if you were talking and push it towards the front wall of the room, well one day she pushed mine to the front and my firends to the back a little to hard, my desk bounced off the wall and my head hit the wall. She would tape things on you like a tail if you were ar "tattletail" she would masking tape your mouth shut if you were talking. She was just plain old mean. Thank goodness she retired a couple years ago so my daughter won't have to get her...and she retired a "Miss" just like when I had her..its no wonder she never married, she was to mean to!!! My first grade teacher was a real real nice sweet older woman. I loved her!

 

[jen_uk]

I had a horrible teacher in primary school who used to give us the cane or slipper if she caught us talking!!

 

[christineann]

Here's a neat story - the first grade teacher who taught both of my children (both are out of HS now) was my kindergarten teacher in 1963 (yup, I'm old). She hadn't changed a bit since then and neither had her hugs. What an awesome lady!

 

[Snowysmom]

My older son had a strict first grade teacher but she was fair, even tempered, and pleasant. On the other hand he had an absolutely horrendous 2nd grade teacher and one day he refused to go to school. DH called the principal, he listened patiently and told DH that he understood, and promised a great teacher for 3rd grade since it was close to the end of the year. 3rd grade was a terrific year! I hope it turns out that the teacher is nice and your DD has a good year.

 

[MushyMushy]

My kids had really nice teachers in the earlier grades. A few in the 4th-5th grades left a little to be desired.

When I was in elementary school, my kindergarten teacher was wonderful, but the 2nd and 3rd grade teachers were absolutely miserable! They were the type of women who would punish the whole class for one person's misbehavior.

 

[goofy's friends]

My DDs have the BEST 1st grade teacher She's funny, but loud. Some kids, the very quietest kind, are very intimidaated by her and might use the word "mean" to describe her. But, she's not--she's very loving.

There is a teacher at the school that IS mean and should definately retire, but comes back every year. I have heard of many 1st grade parents complaining and wanting out of the situation. Does your school have character match forms for the parents to fill out? If you didn't this year, you might look at doing that next year. It is the best way to have input. If they don't offer that, I would see the counselor every year, not to request a certain teacher, but to be sure that they are aware of your child's personality and can match that to a teacher. Best of luck!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My DD and 1st son had a teacher who I wouldn't say was mean, but she also wasn't exactly a warm teacher. I was glad that she retired before child #3 went into first grade.

I think that you should assure her that it's very unlikely that she'll have a mean teacher, but if she were, that you would take care of the problem. The reality is that she is more likely to have a teacher that is not a good match for her personality or one who is not a great teacher, something that I'm a bit concerned about with my youngest who is going into first grade, but I'm not going to share my concerns with him.

Good luck reasoning with her--sometimes that's not easy to do and this might not even be the real issue. Maybe she's bummed about summer ending or bothered about something else.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes...

They are out there...
Around here, the saying goes "First Grade - your glad you just get thru it."
The expecations are incredible, and the teachers... Yes, there are a couple of 'mean' ones here.

My little sister had a 'mean' teacher when she was in first grade. I think she was eventually fired. I had to pull my son out of his First grade teachers class, and into another. The new teacher was not mean, but the year was still very traumatic, as she refused and accomodations for my Special Needs son. (He was on an IEP by the end of the year)

As other posters have said. Be careful how you deal with these things with your child!

 

[Sparx]

I had a mean first grade, second grade (same teacher. first and second grade were together) fifth grade, sixth grade, and seventh grade.

 

[DisneyFan06]

I had a horrible second grade teacher. She was so mean to everyone, especially me for some odd reason.

As a future teacher, I dont understand how any teacher can be mean. If you are a teacher you should be teaching not because of the money but because you enjoy it. If you dont like children why go in such a profession.

 

[Kimmielee]

DD6 starts 1st grade in two weeks, and she's a bit concerned that her teacher will be mean. I told her that I don't think there IS such a thing as a mean 1st grade teacher, but she says I only think that because I'm a grownup.

Could you please let me know if ANY of your kids have had a mean 1st grade teacher?

I was the 1st grade teacher for my older kids; we homeschooled back then.

In my DS's elementary school there are three 1st Grade Teachers. Two are awesome and one isn't. The best I can describe is that she lacks emotion. She isn't mean, but she isn't loving either. I think kids that age need to be nurtured and I was VERY relieved when my son came home with the name of his new teacher and it WASN'T her!!!

Best wishes to your DD and I hope she gets a good one!

 

[momof2inPA]

My kids' 1st and 4th grade teachers this year are considered mean by some of the kids, but I think it's only because they give a lot of homework and don't let the kids mess around in class. If that's mean, I'm ok with it. We'll see how it goes.

In elementary, I loved the teachers that other kids considered mean. I followed the rules, and they treated me very well.

 

[anewvance]

I did not know my daughter's 1st grade teacher was mean until after school was over for the year. Apparently my MIL who was visiting while dh and I were in Ireland went in to get her one afternoon. The teacher didn't know that she was there or who she was and her back was to her. The teacher was yelling at my daughter asking her where a certain book was. My daughter was looking through her backpack and I guess not fast enough because the teacher snatched it away and dumped it upside down and flung everything out of it until the book was found. And then yelled at her to pick up all the stuff immediately.
My MIL was shocked! I am shocked. She seemed so nice all year long and to think something like this was happening in the background. When my younger dd goes to 1st grade next year I will specifically say I do NOT want this teacher.

 

[Brianne]

DS had a 1st grade teacher that, while wasn't mean, was very out of touch with reality. Made for an interesting year.

I had a mean 1st grade teacher---she used to blow a whistle in the classroom constantly for any infraction. That was many, many moons ago and yet the memory has always stuck with me!

 

[klmall]

I'm an educator too and I know there are definitely some teachers out there who are mean, unhappy and take it out on the kids they teach.

My own son had a lackluster first-grade teacher. Coming from private pre-schools he actually lost ground! But he had great second and third grade teachers! Eventually it all evens out!

My DH who is also in education agreed that we would only step in during the elementary years when his emotional or physical safety was at stake. We decided to very purposely stay in the background in our very pro-parent county and reserve our "trump cards" for when it really mattered. And believe me, those times came later when he got a few teachers who blatantly ignored grading policy in middle and high school and royally meesed up DS's exam and final grades.

Note mean teacher actions and be involved in the classroom if possible. Speak with the teacher and let her know that you are aware and interested in your child having a successful year.

If things do not work out then speak with the principal.