Help When A Kid Hates A TeacherSample

Hannah felt Carlie grab her hand under the desk and drop in something small. Hannah looked at Ms. Mitchell to make sure her back was turned. Then she peeked. It was an eraser shaped like a strawberry, with arms and legs and a smiling face. Hannah giggled.

“It’s one of my favorites,” Carlie whispered. “But you can have it.”

“Carlie! Hannah!” Ms. Mitchell barked. “We’re talking about the Bill of Rights. Can either of you tell me the First Amendment?”

“Um, the right to remain silent?” Carlie guessed.

“No, that’s wrong.”

Carlie looked down at the desk, embarrassed. Hannah thought of the perfect joke to cheer her up.

“She should have called it the Bill of Wrongs!” Hannah exclaimed, a little louder than she had meant to.

Some kids laughed, but others gasped.

“Hannah,” Ms. Mitchell growled. “Hallway. Now.”

Correction and punishment are sometimes part of a teacher’s job. If you’re the one getting corrected or punished, you might feel like you have a right to mock your teacher or not listen to what they say. Sadly, disrespecting a teacher will hurt more than it helps. Disrespect makes it hard for a teacher to respect you! If you want school to improve, you can’t “be overcome by evil” as Romans 12:21 puts it. You need to “overcome evil with good.”

You can turn around teacher trouble by showing respect. Words like “Sorry,” “Please,” and “Thank you” are all signs of respect. So is looking at your teacher when they speak, and doing the work you’re asked to do. With respectful practices, you and your teacher will start getting along.

One exception: if your teacher is actually hurting you or other kids, talk to another authority - a parent or principal or adult you trust. These authorities can keep you safe. God does not want anyone to hurt you.

Try this: Parents and kids, compete to be the most respectful. How many times can you say, “Sorry,” “Please,” or “Thank you”? Keep a secret count, and reward the person who did more today.

Prayer: Lord, you have authority over all things. Help me act rightly at school, and save me from punishment. Amen.

Parents: Learn to use the Examen technique to check in with your child about their life at school.