Your Question
If my son is being targeted by a teacher, what do I do, he says the teacher expects my son to know the answer even though the teacher is awful at teaching and most people in the class are also finding the teacher to confusing. The teacher keeps on looking at my son in a rude way and always says to do the work even though nobody knows what to do. By the way this is junior cert graphics not supposed to be the most strictest. When my son asked after the midterm break why there was a seating plan the teacher said their just is, very hostile my son was not happy and asked again a week later and still said no. Everyone in the class was disappointed. Is there anything I can do to make the teacher not be harsh on my son and actually professionally teach my son.
Answer
Hello and welcome
Hi there,
Thank you for contacting Ask Robyn and for reaching out. We are really glad your son felt able to tell you how he is feeling. It is important that young people feel safe and supported in their learning environment. From what you have shared, it appears he is experiencing a mix of unclear instructions and interactions that are making him and other students feel uncomfortable.
Speaking with the teacher
We feel it may be helpful to make an appointment to meet the teacher and outline your concerns. Sometimes teachers are not fully aware of how their approach is coming across, and it may be beneficial to discuss these concerns together. Keeping the tone calm and focused on your son’s experience can help encourage a constructive conversation.
Keeping a record and next steps
It may also be helpful to keep a brief record of any incidents your son mentions, including dates, what happened, and how it affected him. This is not about escalating the situation, but it can be useful if the school needs a clearer understanding. If the situation does not improve, the next step may be to speak with the Year Head or Deputy Principal to help ensure the learning environment is fair and supportive.
Making a formal complaint
If concerns remain, you can find more information about making a complaint through the Teaching Council at: teachingcouncil.
Supporting your son
Please reassure your son that he has not done anything wrong. It is okay for students to ask questions and seek clarification, especially when they are unsure. If your son feels he needs additional support, he can contact our Childline service for free on 1800 66 66 66 or through web chat at Childline.ie. The service is non judgemental, confidential, and anonymous, and does not use caller identification or device IP address tracking.
Additional support
We hope this information has been helpful and that the situation is resolved quickly.
We have a Support Line for parents that is open from Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm, on 01 522 4300 if you would like to discuss this further. You can also get in touch by email at [email protected].
Thank you for getting in touch. Take care,
Robyn
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