Dear Jellybean,
I am a student in a small school which is near my house. I have this one teacher in school who really seems to hate me. I know hate is a strong word and everything but with her? this just might seem possible... All she does to me is insult me whenever I make a mistake in class, she threatens to lower my grades whenever I don't do things "her" way. Today, I am supposed to go to this extra-curricular activity but she told me that only I should not come because I am of no use to her. I am the only one who is staying at home. If I go then she would make harsh remarks to me. I do not understand her at all! she favors everyone in class but it sounds like she has a vendetta against me or something! Whenever I complain to my friends about her? they only shook their heads and told me that it's only because I'm a brat. I cannot tell this to my mom, because my mom believes that whatever I did must've upset my teacher in a way. I cannot report her to the principal because the principal and her are bestfriends and no one has ever complained about her without being expelled. What should I do?
-Stuck in the underworld
Dear Stuck,
This situation is puzzling indeed. But you provide a key to the mystery when you write that your friends say you're a "brat". If your own friends say that, it's probably true! So honestly, when you think about it, do you act in ways that would make a teacher become irritated? Do you question her openly, ignore her and talk in class, or push for your way when everyone else is going along with teach? Individuality is awesome, but so is getting a passing grade. In other words, sometimes you have to go along, to get along, as the saying goes.
If you truly cannot fathom what you could be doing to bug this teacher, ask your friends to elaborate. They'll let you know why they think the teacher is on your case. You're not going to want to hear this, I'm sure, but if you really want to make things right with this teacher, I think you're going to have to eat some crow. Approach her after class, and apologize for your disruptive behavior. Start off by saying, "I just want to apologize..." and go from there. Be specific about what you've done, how you realize it was wrong, and what you're going to do differently from now on.
Even if you're being totally fake, it's worth doing if it means you get to participate in extra-curriculars that you're keen to do, improve your marks, and take the stress down a notch at school. Isn't it?
