what can you do if you really dislike a teacher?

[popperdoodles]

Ds is 9 and in yr4. Since they went back to school after christmas they ahve had a new teacher. Well she's not new to the school but has just come back from maternity and he has not had her before.
He doesn't like her and neither do I from what I have heard. From what i can tell all she does is critisise the kids work. Ds claims she never says well done or praises them in any way. She is very shouty and dishes out punishments for silly little things.
Having spoken to other parents it seems everyone feels this way.
Now, what can you do? Anyone else had a similar problem.
School in general is fine btw.

I am beginning to wonder if her LO is keeping her up all night or something...

maybe she has PND.

Could you approach the head teacher.

Well I'd go in and meet her... say hello, etc.. and get to know her before forming a judgement... If she's not had this class before she is probably finding her feet.. getting to know the children, and sorting out the discaplin.(sp)
whens your next parent evening?

Next parents evening I think will be march. I agree I ought to get to know her. Most of the teachers are fab and are around to chat in the playground in the morning. She comes out to call the class in at the last minute. I agree with finding her feet with them. She has swapped all the groups around, rearranged all the desks and is generally making her mark so to speak.
We have had major confidence issues with ds in the past and every time he gets a new teacher we go backwards which is a real shame. His teacher last term was great with him, loads of praise really built him up.

Maybe when you go and say hello to her you could mention your sons confident issues, you know, she could be just as nervous as he is

From my own experience as a teacher and having come bac from maternity leave to worki twice I can say that it's very difficult to start with a class in the middle of the school year, especially if they've had a supply teacher, as the kids can get into all sorts of bad habits. Maybe she's being very shouty and critical but I wld say that she'll probably calm down when she gets to know the class, but she can't do that until she gets them into a good routine.
She's probably adjusting to her new role as a working Mum also. I wld say just give her time.
Also just to point out that when he gets to 2ndary school your son will have to cope with many different teachers of 8,9 or more different subjects with different personalities, experience,style, so it is all a learning experience for him

sorry for typos.
Also it doesn't matter whether youtr son likes the teacher, some teachers are very likeable but are not strict at all.I had one teacher who everyone hated as she was very strict and quite mean, but everyone did their homework for her and got good results.

"neither do I from what I have heard"

Surely you should be making your own judgements and meeting / chatting to this teacher not basing things on gossip in the payground.

Get to know her and see what makes her tick and what she is seeking to achieve and then you and ds can work together to meet her expectations

If after that you really do find specific problemareas then you could go to the Head