Do people really request teachers?

[Anonymous]

My oldest is starting K in the fall and I overheard a few moms talking about talking to "someone" (?) at the school to request a teacher. Does this actually happen? I always assumed you get whom you get. I was surprised this happened in public schools.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My oldest is starting K in the fall and I overheard a few moms talking about talking to "someone" (?) at the school to request a teacher. Does this actually happen? I always assumed you get whom you get. I was surprised this happened in public schools.

All the time.

[Anonymous]

Our school doesn't take requests.

[Anonymous]

Yes. I did last year when my son entered kinder. I am a school psychologist and the truth is that teachers vary in quality. I began asking anyone whose child went to our neighborhood school about the teachers their children had starting when my son was two. Two names kept coming up - one was thought to fantastic, the other one had several complaints. I also toured the school and visited the kinder classrooms. I requested a teacher and my son was placed in the teacher's classroom. The kinder teacher I requested really is an amazing teacher.

[Anonymous]

You can request all you want but it's not likely to happen.

[Anonymous]

Yes, people do it and whether you get the teacher you want is all in HOW you ask.

[Anonymous]

A better approach is to send the principal a letter describing your child and his/her temperament to help find the right match.

It's always generally to avoid a teacher than it is to choose one.

[Anonymous]

My children have been at 2 different MCPS schools. At #1, requesters were almost 100% unlikley to get a request filled. At #2, the principal is much more flexible about working with parents when he can. You need to get the vibe at your school from others.

[Anonymous]

It depends on who is screwing who.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to for next fall!

[Anonymous]

Op here. Interesting, I had no idea!

[Anonymous]

At previous MCPS ES, if you made any request re: placement (even if it was not a teacher request) the principal would do exactly the opposite for no other reason except to be spiteful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At previous MCPS ES, if you made any request re: placement (even if it was not a teacher request) the principal would do exactly the opposite for no other reason except to be spiteful.

Wondering if we were at the same school.... Never made a teacher request but suggestions in standard form led to direct opposite.

[Anonymous]

The parents who do this at our school basically ensure that their kid doesn't get the teacher they want. The principal is kind of a jerk and likes to send a message that parents won't get what they want.