A teacher is at a disadvantage and feels unsupported when the administrator listens to just one side of a problem before he, the teacher, has had an opportunity to correct the problem. Seldom is a parent objective when sharing details of his child's problem. When only the parent's side of the story is heard, the teacher usually appears to be in error. Administrators must support teachers by allowing problems to first be resolved by the teacher. This does not mean every teacher will always do what is right.
Teachers make mistakes.
When a teacher is confronted with a student problem, a sincere direct effort at reconciliation with the student is the best course to take. The teacher will grow by the experience, and the parent and student are usually satisfied. When a school authority listens to a problem before it has become his personal concern, the problem will normally become more complex. Now, instead of just the teacher and the student being involved, an administrator, a board member, parents, students, and a teacher may be involved. Keep the problem from getting out of hand by getting the right people together to discuss the facts.