It’s not uncommon for a child to come home from school sometime during his or her school-aged life and complain about a teacher.  Teacher complaints, teacher-student personality differences, control issues between a teacher and a student are all likely to occur especially if your child is “free thinking,” desires control or has a difficult time following directions.  But, what if the school teacher is flat out unprofessional and is intentionally going after your child?  Do you know what to do, or what actions to take if a teacher verbally  threatens your child, loses his or her  emotional cool, or even goes as far as using unprovoked physical force such as slapping or kicking your child.

What To Do When A Teacher is Abusive Toward Your Child

1. Stay calm. After your child shares his/her story with you. Have the child share the story again. Write down on paper the information that your child shared with you.  If the stories match or are similar, go to the second and third steps listed below.  Please realize that some children (yes, even good children) do not always tell the truth.  Don’t overreact until you have ALL the facts.  You will not have all the facts until the school and teacher have a chance to respond.
2. If your child has a physical injury, contact your local police department.  A trained officer will want to interview your child.
3. Contact the school and ask to speak to the school principal.  Share with the principal what your child shared with you.  Again, try to remain calm and neutral.  Most school principals will invite you in for a meeting.  The school principal will most likely ask to interview your child.  You have a right to be there, but the school administrator, in most cases does not have to ask you for your permission in advance.
4. If the school principal is non-receptive or is not willing (to your point of view) listen to you, contact the school district office and ask to speak to the Superintendent of Schools, the School Chancellor, or the person who supervises school administrators.  Share your concerns.
5. In most cases, it’s a good idea to speak with the classroom teacher if or when your child shares a school related concern with you.  But, if you are sure that the classroom teacher has gone beyond his or her authority of control, it’s important to speak with the school principal first.  The school principal will interview the teacher.  He or she will most likely interview other teachers, staff and children that were present during  the time of the alleged situation.
6. You have a right to learned the outcome of the investigation.  The principal (and other school officials) will most likely ask to meet with you.  Ask for a written report of the investigation.  Ask for the facts that were discovered and what process was followed to get to the facts.  Again, listen and remain calm.
7. If the teacher was found to be unprofessional or acting below expected school standards, disciplinary action(s) will be taken against the teacher.  If the teacher was found to be acting in the bounds or standards, the school officials should be able to share with you what and why the teachers actions were appropriate.
8. If you are unsatisfied with the school administrators investigation you have a right to seek legal council or an attorney.  You have to realize that the school may not be liable for your desire to do this.  If you decide to seek legal council, it’s important to seek council from an experienced lawyer who has worked in legal cases that involved litigation against school district in the past.