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

[allicat]

DD had a wonderful first grade teacher!
However, I worked at a school as an aide in a first grade room(I have my teaching degree and know what is appropriate behavior in the classroom) and let me tell you, words cant describe how mean, negative and miserable this teacher was. These kids were scared of her and I would feel so sad for these kids at the end of the day.
On the last day of school, I had tears in my eyes because I developed a bond with these kids and would miss them. She could have cared less and looked at me like I was nuts for caring.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

DS's kindergarten teacher was a total push over -- she had no idea how to control the class, no idea what the kids were doing etc . . . It was really hard for DS. For one thing he's generally a pretty "good" kid and it upset him to see some of the things other kids did. For another thing he's a kid who needs a pretty well structured, organized curriculum and he sure wasn't getting it.

For first grade I moved him to a new school and the new teacher was the exact opposite -- she had very clear expectations, knew exactly what each child was doing and if it wasn't what they were supposed to be doing she followed up. In the beginning of the year DS described her as "mean" and I heard later that other parents felt the same way -- but she was perfect for him. For one thing he learned a lot, for another he didn't have to put up with any peer misbehavior, and he felt very safe because he knew what he needed to do to get her approval (and did it!). He learned so much last year, gained so much confidence, and just blossomed.

I'm sure she wasn't great for everyone, but for us she was great!

Here's hoping you have that kind of "mean" teacher, rather than the kind that some other people are describing.

 

[Teacher03]

I'm a teacher, and our first grade teacher is wonderful. All three of my kids were blessed with awesome teachers in first grade. In my opinion, all first grade teachers should be warm and fuzzy. If they're not, teach an older grade. But as others have posted, there is a difference between mean and strict. Truly mean teachers should find another profession.