It’s bound to happen at least once during your child’s school years. You’ll have a great teacher one year and the next year you think, “I don’t like my child’s new teacher.” What can and should you do to make the year a good one?

One thing you need to remember is that teachers are people, too. Sometimes there are just personality conflicts that are neither the teacher’s nor the parent’s fault. You can have a respectful relationship even if you don’t particularly care for one another.

You may also need to realize that the one time you met your child’s new teacher they may not have been having a good day. Don’t give up on the teacher based on one meeting. Here are some tips to help you get along with your child’s teacher for the benefit of your child.

* Be positive. Don’t belittle your child’s teacher in front of your child. No matter how you feel about the teacher, only speak positively about them.

* Meet with the teacher often. If you have concerns, go directly to the teacher. Stay focused on your child and their relationship with their teacher while you’re talking. This will help you avoid accusing the teacher of doing wrong and help them maintain a good relationship with your child.

* Remember they want what’s best for your child just like you do. They do have a vested interest in your child’s educational success, even if you don’t care for them.

* Do you dislike your child’s teacher because of personal experience or because of something you’ve heard? Listen to what others have to say about the teacher to a certain degree. If you haven’t had the same situation that has caused their concerns, give the teacher the benefit of the doubt. There may be a personality conflict or the situation may have been blown totally out of proportion.

* Try to work out any differences with the teacher rather than going over their heads to the principal. However, if the teacher refuses to listen to you, is antagonistic, or belligerent, then you may feel free to approach the principal.

* Schedule a time where you, the principal, and the teacher can meet to discuss options. Don’t attack the teacher; calmly address the items that concern you. Maybe the principal will be able to explain things to you in a way that you can understand and avoid any further problems.

* As a last resort, if you honestly think your child will receive poor grades because of your relationship with the teacher, ask if it would be possible for your child to change rooms. This isn’t the best situation, and it teaches your child that working out a problem isn’t important. However, it may be the only solution to the problem.

What do you do when you realize, "I don’t like my child’s new teacher?" Follow the above suggestions to try to resolve any problems. Do what’s best for your child. If they aren’t having problems with the teacher, leave things alone unless you think they’ll be hurt in some way. Chances are they’ll have another new teacher the next year.