Approaching a Strict Teacher

My son is having a very difficult time in the first grade because he is afraid of his teacher. The teacher is a screamer who yells a lot in the classroom. She also has a disciplinary system that keeps him upset because he is afraid that he will do something wrong and get a black mark for the day and lose privileges. It's getting so bad that I have to push him out the door in the morning to go to school. How should I handle this? I have a conference with the teacher. - Upset
Answer: Making the appointment to see the teacher was the correct first step. Be frank with her about how upset your son is with what is happening in the classroom. She might not realize how intimidated he feels. Just knowing there is a problem might cause her to be more friendly to him, which should make him feel more comfortable in the classroom.
Your attitude at the conference is very important. Criticizing the teacher will not solve the problem. Find out if there is any reason your son is afraid of getting a black mark. Make sure he is well-behaved. Then ask the teacher how the two of you can work together to help him feel more eager to go to school.
If things don't turn around right away, it's time to talk to the principal. No first-grader should ever be so intimidated by a teacher that he doesn't want to go to school. It is quite possible that other children are very upset by this teacher too. She might need help from the principal and a mentor to turn things around.