Try not to take it so personally. I know it's maddening. But some people overreact or don't know how to approach things noncombatively. It's really more about them than it is about you.

I hope you have a supportive administration, though; that makes it easier to not feel so attacked when people come down on you unfairly.

I think they think we're perfect.  I know we're close to it, but you're right, we do make mistakes.

I have had parents go to the admin with stuff and feel miffed that they didn't come to me first.  Especially when I thought I had a good relationship with them.  But...sometimes I'm glad that there is someone else to deal with a lot of the flack from parents...I can't imagine if we really heard ALL of it!  I guess that's easy to say because I'm confident that the admin always has my back, even if I'm wrong, they will always support me to the parent (and then talk to me later).

I just had my first day back, so I'm not even sure this is making sense!!!  

If a parent doesn't talk to you directly, they might think your unapproachable and want some advice from the principal on how to approach the issue. What that said, though, how can it be less intimidating to go the principals office instead of to a teacher?

georgiagirl,

It's always easier to talk about someone behind their back. It takes more than nerve to confront someone to his/her face; it can feel like it takes some mad communication skills if you don't want it to turn ugly. Certainly not everybody has those skills!

Instead of looking for guidance on how to approach the teacher, I suspect they are afraid to go to the source. Chances are, they never learned to approach someone without it turning into a confrontation. It's like needing Mommy to make everything all better.