What to Do When Your Teenager Hates Their Teachers

Ask Why

• Teens don't perceive the word "hate" as adults do, according to an article on the website for Brigham Young University's David O. McKay School of Education. While you might be taken aback by your teen saying he "hates" his teachers at school, he probably means he dislikes them or feels they are unfair. Instead of instantly assuming that he really does "hate" them, ask your teen why he feels as though he hates his teachers. Get concrete examples of incidents between your teen and his teachers, remembering that you're only getting one side of the story.

Encourage Responsibility

• Help your teen see some of her part in her misguided relationships with her teachers. If she complains that they're always picking on her, ask whether she's paying attention in class and ready to answer questions. If she says she's always getting detention, find out why she is being disciplined. It's important that your teen understands that she has some responsibility to admit to and talk about ways to fix the issues. If she always feels picked on, perhaps she can prepare herself and participate more before her teacher can call on her.

Meet with Teachers

• If you've given your teen ideas for coping -- and you know she's tried -- it might be time to talk face-to-face with your teen's teacher. According to an article at PsychCentral.com, parents should avoid being on the offensive during such a meeting. While you might feel protective of your allegedly wronged teen, you still only have your teen's accusations to go by. Instead, meet with those teachers in question and mention that your teen has expressed some concern about their relationship. You can then get more facts about the issue from the teachers themselves. Talking to your teen's teachers not only helps you piece together the real story, but it also lets the teacher know you're aware of an issue and can work together as a team to make education more fulfilling for your teen.

Administrative Changes

• If the problem is ongoing and your teen is still complaining that he's not getting along with his teachers, it might be time for an administrative change. Arrange a meeting with the school's principal and discuss the possibility of a transfer to another class, course or teacher. Then, if the problem still continues, you might need to focus on your teen's inability to get along with teachers and other authority figures, rather than a quick-fix solution of switching classes again.