While my children are grown now, I watch my girlfriend struggle with her 7 year old. He is a stubborn and extremely intelligent young man who was quite used to getting his own way - one way or the other.

His first week in grade one actually went better than expected, but by the second week the shine had worn off. He started to act out and quickly discovered that if he did that he would be sent home. Mission accomplished. He had already decided he didn't like his teacher anyway. Besides, he'd rather stay home with Mom. For three weeks the bad behavior continued, and then one day he and I had a chat.

I asked him, 'So how's school going? Do you like grade one?' The response was downcast eyes and an 'I don't know' (his favorite answer this month). 'What's your teacher like?', I asked him. I don't give up easy.

'I don't like her', he said with a bit of strength in his voice.

'Really? Ouch, that's too bad. Well, there is a good part about it. Do you know what that is?' A quiet no was all I got back. 'The good part is that next year, you get a new one. Isn't that cool? Every year you get a new teacher again. That way, if you don't like a teacher, all you have to do is pass to get rid of them.'

The logic in that he grasped right away. When his mom came back he was quick to tell her how he was going to pass so that he didn't have to have this teacher again next year. She couldn't believe the change in his attitude.

Now I know this isn't something that will work with older students, but older is even easier. The fact of life is that you will always have to deal with people you may not necessarily like. That's life. If you do your job in class, you'll never have to deal with the teacher more than to hand in papers and get grades. Anyone can do that.

Sometimes it's as simple as sharing another perspective. I used to share teacher/child horror stories with my kids about when I went to school. We all have those days, and those teachers. Once they realize it's just part of life, they'll settle down and deal with it.

Learn more about this author, C Davison.
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