Cut-to-the-chase answers to all of your education questions. Maureen offers advice to parents, students and educators on anything from how teachers should use the internet in the classroom to how parents should deal with a child who hates reading.

Q: I’m in seventh grade and my science teacher teases me and my friends in class. He thinks he’s being funny, but he’s not. He’s mean and I can’t stand that class now. How can I get him to stop?

I’m sorry your teacher is teasing you. It’s never okay for a teacher to embarrass students in front of the class by making fun or calling names. My advice is to take a parent or a friend and talk to him after school.

Follow these simple communication steps:

1) Describe an example of something he said (just give the facts).
2) Tell him how you felt when he said what he said (start with “I felt…�).
3) Respectfully ask him if he would stop (avoid judgmental words – stick to the facts).
4) Don’t get too disappointed if he doesn’t (it’s out of your hands).

(Modified from “Nonviolent Communication �)

Here’s how that might sound: “Mr. Waters, last week in front of the class, you said, “You’re so tall I’m going to have to order you a special desk.� I felt embarrassed and angry when you said that. Will you please stop making comments about my height in class?� Wait for his response and then thank him for talking with you.

I can’t promise it will work, but from that point on, every time he opens his mouth to tease you, he’ll remember that you had the guts to come speak to him in a way that many adults can’t handle.