anyone else's dc's got a strict/scary teacher this year?

[roundabout1]

My dd is not looking forward to going back to school at all, she's moving up to year 2 & has a very strict/stern teacher. The teacher in question has a reputation of being very strict & stern. I always assumed that she must be a lot more friendly than what I have seen of her but this last week all I have heard from anyone I've met is how awful she is. Now I know that being strict isn't a bad thing in a teacher but that it can make them unpopular with children. I am getting a bit worried about it though. My dd is quite sensitive anyway & finds change difficult so I anticipate a few teething problems. Beginning to get a bit anxious about it myself on her behalf. please tell me I'm not the onl;y one & I'm not some over protective molly coddling parent!

We had this when DD2 moved into year 4. Absolutely everybody said she was an old harridan and their children had hated her.

She turned out to be the best teacher DD has ever had. Strict- yes but also with a dry sense of humour that was DDs cup of tea. Very fair too and excellent at dealing with bullies too (there was one particularly naughty boy in her class and this teacher really sorted him out.)

My son just came back from his first day in reception at big school and I asked if his teacher was nice. He said no, she told me off for putting my hands over my ears (they were playing loud music and he's a bit noise sensitive). She confirmed this happened and had told him he has to get used to the noise and take his hands from his ears so that he can learn. We are thinking of taking him out of the school as I think this was unkind to do on his very first day. I guess you have to follow your gut reaction as every child is different (mine is also sensitive and I am concerned she is going to crush his confidence and self esteem).

Hove, I think, perhaps, you need to give your DS's teacher a bit of a chance here. It was his first day, did she really tell him off or gently ask him to uncover his ears? I think it's a bit 'hammer to crack a nut' to want to remove him from school. There will be many, many more moments like this to deal with, wherever you go. The teacher will only have his best interests at heart.

As an aside, ds1 always loved the stricter teachers. He knew where he was with them.

I was not a naughty boy at school so I was never in trouble personally.

But did have a young woman teacher at senior school who gained control
for "talking" with a headmasters severe caning policy.

These were different times. But I do have to tell you it was pretty brutal.
The fear level in the class was such that it worked. (No one would call it fair or reasonable now...It was of its time.)

Does it make make sound very old? I am still young at heart.

You want me to answer the lead question. Did the severe regime effect me?
Yes it did, probably for the worse, but we moved from that town sec mod
to a village school, which suited me much better.

This is heavy stuff; but it is the truth as I see it.

madamehooch - thanks for the laura's star suggestion, I bought it for dd. All is going well so far but it is early days. Dd says the teacher shouts louder than anyone else in the whole entire world but does seem to give a lot of praise so dd is loving it so far. On third day in dd came out saying teacher wanted a word with me, I was very nervous! Turns out she wanted to tell me dd had moved up a stage on reading books & was very pleased with her. Nothing like that has happened in previous two years so I hope it continues as improved communication is good.

havetoffeecrisp - your poor ds, my dd is sensitive to noise too & cried & couldn't eat at lunchtimes as the noise bothered her so much. I found dd's reception teacher unhelpful & unsympathetic to begin with but once she had sussed out dd she was much better. Dd really struggled as had just turned 4 the week before she started school & is quiet & shy, I spoke to teacher asking how playtimnes were going as dd had been sobbing herself to sleep saying no one liked her or would play with her, teach3er said she didn';t help herself as was too quiet. I was very annoyed with her attitude but it did improve. I suppose the teachers have loads of parents with worries & concerns that it takes them a while to suss out the real issues iyswim. hth x

ITA with Happymum teachers with strong enforced boundaries and low tolerance for low level classroom disruption get much more done generally. THe confidence to know they don't have to be liked to get the job done is really important.

Ah thanks Roundabout, he's proving to be much braver than I thought and still wants to go to school despite first day. I've told him that she's strict but a good teacher and that we are here to do all the soft cuddly stuff. (Luckily there is a nice male TA who he loves so am hoping this compensates.) Seems a bit too young for school (mine is summerborn too). Good luck with it all. They are more resilient than we give them credit for. x