Vent: Not happy with classroom assignment

[Anonymous]

DS got into a school we really like. We have just learned that he has been put into a classroom that will be led by a new teacher who has just freshly graduated and has no prior experience leading a class of her own. Other teachers in the same grade all have more than 10 years of experience and are very well respected. DS will be with this new teacher for two school years if everything is according to the plan. Part of me think that I should just let this go and see how he progresses through the two years with the new teacher. Part of me think that we have been short changed. For the same amount of tuition we paid, we are not receiving the same quality of education. I don't even know how to bring this up to the school and most likely will be labeled as a PITA parent even before the school starts. So I guess this is more of a vent. How should I deal with this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS got into a school we really like. We have just learned that he has been put into a classroom that will be led by a new teacher who has just freshly graduated and has no prior experience leading a class of her own. Other teachers in the same grade all have more than 10 years of experience and are very well respected. DS will be with this new teacher for two school years if everything is according to the plan. Part of me think that I should just let this go and see how he progresses through the two years with the new teacher. Part of me think that we have been short changed. For the same amount of tuition we paid, we are not receiving the same quality of education. I don't even know how to bring this up to the school and most likely will be labeled as a PITA parent even before the school starts. So I guess this is more of a vent. How should I deal with this?

Is this Burgundy, with the two-grade classrooms?

[Anonymous]

You should deal with it by giving this teacher a chance! The best teacher my kids ever had was a brand-new teacher fresh out of school. The worst was one who had been teaching for 26 years and was loved by many. She just didn't work for us and I was not impressed. Have faith that this school that impresses you so much does a good job hiring teachers and give this one a chance.

[Anonymous]

I don't blame you for feeling short changed. Same thing happened to us. We found out, like you will, that the parents in the know requested the classroom they wanted their child to be in and your kids class is filled with newer kids and parents who didn't know to ask. We had an awful experience and the teacher we had was asked to leave at the end of the year but it made my child's K year pretty bad.

[Anonymous]

I was an elementary school teacher for five years. I feel sorry for the students in the first class I taught. By my second year I had vastly improved and by the third year I really felt comfortable and effective. I was at the school at least ten hours a day and planned all weekend the first year but there is so much to learn. My classroom management was so much better after the first year. Some kids have to be with a new teacher but I wouldn't want my children to be placed with one. So many teachers don't make it passed the first two years. I think you are right to be concerned. The only plus is perhaps the teacher will be really enthusiastic and energetic.

[Anonymous]

The best teacher I ever had growing up was fresh out of grad school. The worst teacher (4th grade) had been teaching for 35 years. My parents had to get me a summer tutor so that I would be on the same level as the other 5th graders in the fall.

[Anonymous]

The less experienced teachers we had seemed to work very hard, were always thorough and seemed to make extra efforts.

[Anonymous]

I understand how you feel, but I think you should have some faith in the school you loved and chose. You will need to trust in this school to make many, many decisions over the years that will directly affect your child. They selected the other teachers at the school and supported them during their first years. They will do the same for this teacher. And if the teacher does not work out, they will replace him/her if needed. Obviously, no one really wants their child to be a guinea pig for new teachers BUT many new teachers are wonderful ... young, enthusiastic, energetic and so on. No guarantees either way, obviously. But over the years, your child will have teachers that are more wonderful and a few that are a tad less wonderful. They will still grow, develop, and learn lots of things from each year's experience. So good luck and try to remain hopeful and positive as you will likely end up being very satisfied in the end.

[Anonymous]

For heavens sake AT LEAST give her a chance!!!! Teachers can't pick students or their parents!! As a teacher some independent school parents are VERY difficult to work with. But we take the families that we are given and try to make it work for the sake of every child. I am assuming that you want your child to have a great year, right? Then be the BEST room parent to your child's teacher. And if you have any ill feelings toward your child's teacher, please never let your child pick up on them. I sincerely hope that your child has the best school year!!!

[Anonymous]

As a former teacher and a parent of four, I think the key here is whether the school will provide this new teacher with the appropriate level of support. New teachers can bring much that is positive -- energy, enthusiasm and creativity -- but they always need guidance from more seasoned educators (as I did when I was new). My kids have had some wonderful teachers who were fresh out of school, but they've also had some who needed more support from their colleagues and department/diivision heads. I think it's a fair question to ask the principal how she/he intends to work with the new teacher, particularly in view of the fact that the other teachers at that grade level are highly experienced.

[Anonymous]

The best teacher my DC ever had was brand new. Relax. This is good practice for you to curb your helicopter instincts.

[Anonymous]

How do you know that your child won't receive the same quality education?

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP's who say give the new teacher a chance. At a local private that my DS once attended, there were 2 2nd grade teachers - the one who had been teaching 25 years and the one fresh out of school. My DS was assigned to the "experienced" teacher and by end of the first semester, we requested a change. In our case, "experienced" meant set in her ways, overly structured, out of touch with more recent teaching best practices and unwilling to attempt to connect with her students. She was fine for some students but my DS did not do so well with her. DS thought she was mean and she though DS was too much work. Fresh out of school teacher was energetic, willing to learn each students' personality, was flexible and worked hard. She did need mentoring intially in classroom management but the administration paired her with a more experienced teacher from another grade.

I say all that to say is be vigilant, but give new teacher a chance. You might be surprised.

[Anonymous]

Give the new teacher a chance. Particularly if you are talking about PK & K or K & 1st. Remember it is just kindergarten. Your DC will be learning all sorts of things that have nothing to do with the teacher. Pick your battles.

[Anonymous]

Give this teacher a chance. Being a recent grad she is likely not burned out from years of experience and is up to date with recent research.

A good teacher is so much more than experience!

...Personality/Passion/Creativity/People Skills/Dedication/Instinct...

Signed: An "experienced" teacher