The toughest parents are the ones who are delusional. Luckily I’ve only had two. The delusional ones don’t see reason and view the teacher as an enemy. My toughest parent was my first year too...Some parents have mental illness sadly. Love your tips! I find good communication and confidence like you said are so helpful in forming positive relationships with parents.
Ms. May, thank you!!!! I just came across your channel and have been binge watching for the last few hours. It is wonderful to find teachers who are also serving God in the classroom. It is such a calling and ministry. I am encouraged greatly.
I needed this so much! I'm in my 5th year teaching, and each year I have at least one parent that intimidates the heck out of me. I've been avoiding an awkward conversation with a particular parent for weeks, and now I'm feeling like I have the strength to tackle it :) Thanks Ms. May!
Miss May, thank you so much for this video!!!!! This is my 1st year teaching, and I've been having to deal with a very difficult parent to the point. Everytime I would reach out to that parent she would either yell at me, or hang up the phone on me. It got to the point where I would go home crying. However, I continue to keep going because I care about the child, and have built a relationship with him. I send positive notes home in the student's folder, and killed any negative comments with kindness. Thank you so much for this video!! I so needed this video.
Believe me... I don't know I feel very nervous while talking to parents.... Even if I didn't do anything wrong and they are just casually talking to me but I feel like that they will accuse me of something.... Recently I am working as a grade school maths teacher and due to the pandemic situation we are taking online classes. In our school the process is we make video lessons and send them to our students and then we send notes related to that video lesson. The timing for interaction and sending the videos is afternoon 4 to 5. Today one parent called me and said that he is the only one who has mobile in their home and there are three children at home and because I send notes between 4 to 5 they are not able to guide their students properly. Although he said this in a very casual way but I felt very nervous. My biggest fear is to get kicked out of school for something I did wrong.... Even if I didn't know what I did wrong. Sometimes children don't submit homework and even after constantly messaging them to send their notes and homework for corrections they don't listen. What should I do?... Kindly advise me... I have joined only a month ago and this job is like the lifeline of my family so I am so scared of losing this job ... Even though I don't even know what I do wrong. Kindly advice me. I am from India.
Thank you so much! I'm a veteran teacher, but we all need that reminder from time to time: that we truly do love our students and that we are doing this for the Glory of God!!
Maybe you are but let me remind you remind you that all teachers are not good.Just like any other career and people.Example,doctors,nurses,police,just people in general.There are some good ones and there are some bad ones.
I'm glad I found this video. I'm dealing with a parent who is very difficult. English is my second language and she sent an email copying my boss to say she was volunteering to proofread my emails before i sent them to parents. In the time I have worked at the school no one has ever complained about my English or emails. She emails me every day and responds to my emails right away with lots of questions! I swear she likes to pick on me for EVERYTHING!! Her tone is just rude.
I feel your frustration. It's like you see her email and you're like, uuuggghhh. LOL Some parents can be rude. Just continue to be kind, but not a pushover. Sending you lots of ((HUGS))
Thanks for sharing this. In my 1st year of teaching I had several difficult parents. Obviously, I had a lot to learn. But even now, 13 years later, one of my favorite topics to hear about from other teachers is how they deal with parents (the positive and negative). Thanks for sharing this. I feel encouraged just listening to you speak. 😊 Teach on!
Hi lady! When I was teaching, I can count on one hand how many times I had difficult parents...this was over a span of 7 years. But the only time I would see the difficult ones Lawd Jesus was when their child could not participate in a field trip! I wouldn't see them any other time but then. Man that was something...God bless you!
You are amazing! I am 43 and leaving a career in Graphic Design, heading into a Career Switcher program to become an Art Teacher. I have been listening to you while working and watching your videos when I'm at home. Your joy and positivity is infectious and inspirational! Thank you for being you, and encouraging me through your approach and attitude!
Hello Queen...You were on my mind so I thought I'd stop and check up on you. We're in for the long stretch now. I'm on spring break (much needed). I think I cried the first day off. Didn't realize I had so much on my heart. Dealing with TWA (teachers with attitudes). Not being appreciated and people trying to take advantage of your kindness. I digress. My brown babies are doing good but, they can do better. I can tell you, my faith has been tested. I truly believe when God puts you in a storm, He will pull you out. I pray you and your family are doing well. Peace and light 💋✨✨
Great tips! No matter how long you have been teaching you will always have a parent who is nitpicky about everything you do. I totally agree about showing confidence.
I've only been teaching just over 3 years and I've had more than my share of tricky parents already. I had an incident with one, in December last year, that was so bad I am now cautious about all parent engagement. I had no idea this parent was so upset with me. I have been assured it was not anything I actually did, but I certainly experienced the full force of all the anger this parent was carrying (mostly about her own stuff) at the time.
Thank you for your words and wisdom on dealing with difficult parents. Situations arise many times and we have to stay calm as teachers. Having confidence and a kind spirit helps us not only keep calm, but calm some parents down before things get out of hand. Great teaching!!!
Thank you so much for this. I needed the reminder. Usually I am confident and I build good relationships with parents and the kids. This year's started off a little tough, but will continue to do my best.
Thank you for the video. Being a drama teacher and swimming coach, I have my fair share of difficult situations. And I do find what you said about confidence. That does go along way.
I'm School and Counseling Psychologist (Positive Psychologist) learning more about PBIS. I've enjoyed your positivism, assertiveness and passion in sharing your knowledge in these topics. Thanks!!
I think the most important thing we can do for any parent is not judge them even when they do something we don’t like. Always look at them with eyes of compassion. If they are the kind of person who is never satisfied with you, and who treats you disrespectfully, then pray for them. We don’t know the trauma they have been through, and even if they want to slander us and throw us under the bus-fine. That’s between God and them. As for me, I will do my best to love all, respect all, and shine the light of Jesus. In the end, the One whose opinion matters the most is-not the parent’s, not the student’s, not the principal’s, not my colleagues, not followers on social media, nor any human being. The One whose opinion matters the most is God’s.
New here, I am a first year teacher but been a coach for 6 years. I’m learning a lot in my first year and I found your video and your advice helpful. Thank you
Ms. May, I needed this video today. Not for difficult parents, but because of another teacher who has gone out of her way to snub me. So, thank you. ❤️
Thank you for sharing your experience. I am a teacher with 2 years of experience only and I have received in this online classes some negative feedbacks and although is part of the job it's hard to hear this critics. Thank you. New subscriber.
Everything you said is sooo true. If you know you've done everything in your power to have a positive relationship with that parent or family and it's still strained and difficult then you have to accept that it's going to be challenging to deal with them and just continue to be kind and confident like you said. Sometimes, for whatever reason, there are people that are just hard to deal with. I've had just a small handful in my 10 years in public education. If I know a difficult parent is coming for a conference I like to have someone else there to support me (Admin, Counselor) so it never turns into a "she said this..." situation. I have a situation this year with a Great-Grandparent who has a different opinion on how things should be done regarding their grandchild. I am following school procedure and they don't seem to understand the process, though it's been discussed many times at length by me AND my buddy teacher. I think it's a generation gap thing. Things were different when they were in school and it's hard for them to change. I get that. Things are a lot different now even from when I was in school and they were in elementary many decades farther ago than I was. I just keep plugging along and holding the student accountable for what they are responsible for and try to maintain civility with the adult. And I PRAY, pray, pray. God always has your back, but you have to ask for His help and then trust and have faith that He will guide the situation. Love and hugs to you, dear friend! Have a BLESSED Easter and enjoy some time to relax and be with those you love!
You are my favorite person this year! I needed someone like you in my life; I feel I have a teacher on how being a teacher. I work in a kindergarten and my boss is a complete bubble head. My parents´ meeting was an apocalypse, recently had my assistant changed and everything is going in downward spiral and none of it has to do with my work, but is making me look bad. Your videos have inspired me to keep improving myself. THANK YOU MISS MAY!!!
Thank you for replying Fab Miss May. May our dear Lord keep using you in many ways to help others ^_^ THANK YOU FOR BEING SO INSPIRING AND WONDERFUL! You really make me want to be a better teacher. God bless you!
Miss May you are my ultimate favorite teacher youtuber. I am so excited as I have an interview for a full time teaching position and I've been working for a very long time for this opportunity. I watch your videos and get lots of tips!
Thank you! It's always so helpful to hear how others work through these tough situations. For me, it gives me confidence to know that what I've tried others are doing as well, or have gone through too. And I LOVE hearing new approaches to working with with parents. Thank you!!
Hello Ms. May! Thank you for your tips! So happy to look forward to your weekly videos! Will you by chance be including content ideas for end of the year? I truly enjoy hearing/ watching your perspective, would love to see/learn some content ideas and strategies if you are so inclined. Happy Easter! 💖
Sometimes they are difficult because you follow school and district guidelines and they don't like it. I had one parent who yelled at me because I couldn't release her child to someone who wasn't on the release card
This is the first time I've seen one of your videos. #1 I love your hair! So flattering! #2 I LOVE that you said you're here to serve God. We are commanded to love ALL, even grumpy parents. I am going to make it a habit to remind myself of this daily. #3 You have a new subscriber! 👋🏻👋🏻💕
From parent to teacher, I'm wishing someone would help me as far as how to get through to my teacher. I feel she alienates me from his learning experience. She never notifies me of anything, even after I've told her I would love to be apart of his education as much as possible. I've stated that I'm on board with whatever she wants and then still nothing. She doesn't let me know how he is doing, even when I ask. She doesn't send homework home (for like 2 months), even when I asked for it. I feel I'm only asking for simple things that truly I shouldn't even have to ask for but somehow I'm still deemed the "difficult parent" for just wanting some communication from them. If you have any advice for me as a parent, please feel free to share...
Can you do a video on how to deal with difficult teacher. Right now my son has a bully as a teacher and im at a loss how to approach it nicely. She was the one no one wants but we got she has school in her hands because husband is senator. She has been down right cruel to straight A now not wanting to go to school.
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and knowledge with us!! What do you use on your skin?? Your skin always looks so clear and flawless and it doesn't look like you wear makeup! Please share!!!
😂 I do wear LA pro girl concealer (fawn) I just place that under my eyes. Honestly, I try to drink lots of water and wash my face well in the shower. I love the Oil of Olay wash cloths. Love them! ((Hugs))
As a parent, the problem I'm having is ZERO communication from the teacher. I've tried to open the door as a parent and be nice and on board with them but it just seems like us having a good relationship isn't an option. Heck she hasn't even sent homework home in 2 months now and I even asked very nicely for some.
I'm sorry you're having a hard time receiving communication from your child's teacher. I know where I am we have 24-48 hours to reply back. I am BIG on parent communication. I like for us to be on the same team. ((Hugs))
I really need to work on the confidence part. I am in my second year and I have a parent that is constantly telling me how to teach (she has no teaching experience and doesn't think her son is learning in my classroom). She sent me an e-mail earlier in the week and haven't replied and I really don't want to. She really hasn't liked me since the beginning of the school year over things that I didn't have control over.
One Fab Teacher I need your help! I have a student that won't stop hitting other students (I teach First Grade) and the admin team tells me that they can't do much about his behavior (when I send him to the office he loses instructional time). What can I do in the classroom? Parent and I have met and he hit the day after. I'm in a rut. Respond when you can! Thanks! :)
Can you elaborate please (documentation=referral)? I am a first year teacher and barely two weeks into my position. (LOL I know right). Feel bad for the kid himself because I care about him but I also feel bad for those that are being hit by him.
