Strict teachers are one thing - mean teachers are another. Is this teacher simply strict or is she mean? Children can misinterpret 'strict' as 'mean' and there's a difference.
If the teacher isn't mean and is only strict, point that out to your daughter. I never liked being the strict teacher but someone has to be and at my school, we'd take turns because none of us by personality liked to be strict -it wasn't our nature.

Yet there are some children - some say they're boys but I wouldn't say - who can be wild and unruly in a classroom but who settle down nicely for a strict teacher. It can be a blessing then to be a shy quiet girl in the strict teacher's classroom for in every other, the shy quiet girls have to grit their teeth to tolerate the wild and unruly boys who dominate the classroom with their wild ways.

You might point that out to your daughter - think of the worst-behaved student in her room this year and ask her if she enjoyed being in class with him/her? Ask your daughter what she thinks that student will be like in Mrs. StrictTeacher's room next year?
Asked that question in that way, your daughter might smile at the thought of Johnny Wild and Susie Unruly in Mrs. StrictTeacher's room.

And if Mrs. StrictTeacher has a smile in her, it will come out at your daughter sitting there quietly in fear of Teacher's strictness. If a teacher doesn't have a smile in her, ever, she shouldn't be teaching children but sadly some are. When my sons were put in such a teacher's room, I'd walk through fire to get them out of there and sometimes that worked and sometimes it didn't. When it didn't, I'd tell my boys to beat Mrs. StrictTeacher at her own game of being too strict and unsmiling. Go in every morning with extra warmth and the biggest smile and say "Good morning, Mrs. Jones." Do Everything she says to the letter especially that first week - if something was due on Wednesday, we'd hand in back in on Tuesday. Any paper handed back any week with strict red marks, say "Thank you for pointing out my mistakes, Mrs. Jones. I'm really learning a lot in your classroom." It works- teachers too strict too smile have a problem but your child's best game can still beat theirs.

Last but not least, go in now - and observe Mrs. StrictTeacher's classroom and when you go, go in with your own warmest smile. Of course make an appointment but Don't let them tell you, it's too late in the year to observe. It's never too late and it's your right to observe.

If you do that, Mrs. StrictTeacher will be thrown for a loop - parents rarely go in and observe next year's teacher after their children have been assigned to the room. Maybe even never has anyone observed Mrs. StrictTeacher after the room assignments have been made and Mrs. Strict Teacher will be made Very Nervous by your coming visit. A teacher's classroom is rather like a small kingdom and teachers are used to being in charge without anybody but children watching.

If Mrs. Strict Teacher is just strict and not mean, you will see that and you can go home and tell your daughter what a good teacher Mrs. StrictTeacher really is and how lucky your daughter is to have her.

But if you sense that Mrs. StrictTeacher is really a meanie, then your visit this year will set a positive tone for Mrs. StrictandMean Teacher's relationship with your daughter next year. Your visit this year will send an unspoken message to Mrs. StrictTeacher that you are a parent who cares enough to watch closely. Teachers are wary of parents who watch and they can be less strict - and afraid to be more mean- to the children of the parents they know to be watching.

None of the teachers I have met who were classified as "strict" have ever turned out to be mean. My son is a rules follower (to the tee) and does his best in the stricter classrooms. Combine with that his lackadasical attitude toward schoolwork - because it comes easy to him - and a "strict" teacher is perfect for him. Most kids I have encountered have loved being in a classroom with these teachers - where the rules were the rules no matter who you are. Strict teachers tend to deal the most honest praise when it is deserved - which then makes an unforgettable mark on the children.
I can remember when my neighbors daughter was complaining about her teacher being strict and mean - and another child, just a year older and not the best student - said - the kids who tend to have the most trouble with the teachers are the ones who get in trouble.
I'm not saying there aren't bad "mean" teachers out there - but a truly strict teacher is a blessing - she lays down the law and it isn't in question - you follow it or pay the price.
Find out more about this teacher from parents of children who have been through her class - and see how their family feels about her - your conversation with your daughter could change from "how to deal with being in the strict teacher's class" to "image and reality aren't always the same thing."

Does your daughter get in trouble often? If not, there is probably nothing to worry about. But, as a mom you can make it more fun for her by doing things like buying her fun, cute pencils, book covers, and notebooks. Go shopping with her and buy things that look cool and fun to get her excited about it rather than thinking about the "strict" atmosphere.
LindaJo

Well.. I tell my daughter the following..
that many times. they will get teachers they do not particularly like, but she has to focus on her work and try to cope with it.. that even when she goes to high school, she is will get teachers she does not like.. but she has to just do her best. and smile and get over that class..
Unless is a really crazy personality... then I will switch her immediately

good luck!!!!

Cari

Hello, yes going into 3rd grade is a big deal no matter who the teacher is .Reassure your child that strict does not necessarily mean evil.Before school starts can you possibly host a group of her friends or classmates so they can feel reassured by each others presence. Network with the moms and find out what is she strict about homework,attendance, behavior?If you reinforce good manners at home and your child participates and hands in homework then problems probably won't crop up.Read the books the Teacher From the Black Lagoon and Ms. Nelson Is Back. They deal with teacher anxiety in a humorous light and validates their feelings of anxiety.Lastly some teachers have an open house or learning fair attend it and observe and respect her objectives for the year.Maybe the reports of her behavior are greatly exaggerated.