What should I do if I disagree with my child’s teacher?

First, take a deep breath. Disagreeing with your child’s teacher does not mean you need to gear up for battle. Start by setting up a calm, face-to-face conversation where you can share your concerns and actually listen to theirs, too. Keep the focus on your child, not on who is right or wrong. Chances are, you both want the same thing: a happy, successful kid. Stay respectful, ask questions, and try to understand the teacher’s perspective before jumping to conclusions. If you still cannot find common ground, loop in an administrator to help mediate. Most disagreements are just bumps in the road, not giant sinkholes. Handle it thoughtfully, and you might even come out with a stronger partnership.