Thread: New teacher needs advice ... Student hates me

It does get easier with time. Be matter of fact and don't let them see your feathers ruffled.

The other day I walked up just as another student was telling a teacher she didn't want to go ask me anything she couldn't stand me. I simply responded with you don't have to like me, you just have to do what you are supposed to do now get back to my room. Unfortunately it embarrassed the child but I bet she will watch herself from now on.

Others have said it and you have to stick to it with everyone you teach...treat them the same. Some kids need special assistance if they are sped...these are sometimes your exceptions. Use good judgement.

You are not there to be their friend. You control you. She can not MAKE you mad, that is your choice. Good luck!

No, don't ask her. I doubt that would do anything except make things worse. If she's wanting attention by acting that way, then by asking her you're giving her the attention she wants.

Treat her like everybody else.

p.s. I've only been doing this such a short time, and I've been questioning whether or not I deserve to be a teacher based on this one kid. Will this sensitivity go away over time????

Never base anything on one kid. And yes, your perspective does change over time. After you do this for awhile, you will tend to see your students for what they are- your students, not potential friends or enemies. Young teachers often have a hard time separating themselves in a high school setting- teens see basically anybody under 30 as a peer and teachers in their 20s have to work harder to make that distinction between peer and authority figure. And I said, some people are determined not to get along with others- no matter how hard you try. Follow your discipline plan and do not let the matter trouble you further.

I think you're right about the age issue. I'm in my early 20's and I definitely see that many of the kids want to be my friend. This is going to sound horribly conceited, but I think that part of the reason this girl doesn't like me, is because I am well liked by most of the students, and she is the kind of person that always has to be different. I know I need to work on being a teacher, and not a friend. This is all such good advice. I'm definitely changing my attitude towards the subject. Thanks ...

Age can certainly be an issue. When I began teaching, I was 22 years old and teaching seniors. To make things more interesting, my best friend was dating a guy who had graduated the year before. That meant that there were actually a few common friends there. Two of my closest friends had brothers in my class, which made things a bit interesting as well because they were used to me in a different perspective. I had a class of 22 boys and 6 girls. One of the girls was ALWAYS snarly with me . . . the WHOLE YEAR. Eventually I figured out that she liked one of the boys in the class, and she thought that he was interested in ME.

I just made sure that I conducted myself professionally, and there weren't any problems . . . although I did sort of look like I belonged IN the class instead of teaching it. In fact, one day the assistant principal stopped me in the hallway during class time and asked me where I was supposed to be. He thought I was a student skipping class! :roll:

But . . . I do feel old now. This year I have the daughter of the girl who didn't like me that year! (She was pregnant the year I had her in class.)

Yup ... I had the same thing happen to me! I look younger than I am too, which doesn't help. It bothers me because I feel like I'm more on the level of the students than the other teachers. And I think this is how the girl who doesn't like me feels too. I suppose time will help... As always, thank you.

My first year I was twenty-two teaching second semester seniors. One of the students played with my high school band when I was a senior. Fortunately I didn't have to have him in my classes, but having had a class with a student the same age as those my I taught was a little odd.

My first year at another school a student in my class was one I was playing softball with. That too was strange. I was 25 then.

It has been several years now and the same thing has happened. A student I taught last year, and she was on my Mock Trial team this year, is playing on my softball team. I'm older and more experienced, the oddity is not the same.

I can still blend in with my students, but security no longer stops me in the hall asking for a pass.