Vent: Not happy with classroom assignment

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think OP was freaking out at all, simply raising a legitimate concern and seeking advice on how to handle it.

On the contrary, her concerns are irrational and not valid at all. The best way to handle it is to smile and drop LO off at school on the first day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't think OP was freaking out at all, simply raising a legitimate concern and seeking advice on how to handle it.

She titled her post "vent" + She hasn't even met the teacher and is already trying to figure out if she can get DC reassigned = freaking out

[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?

For God's sake, OP - How in the FUCK do you expect this teacher to get experience? by watching Youtube?

EVERYONE needs experience.

You are being neurotic and obnoxious.

Go fly your helicopter elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That sucks! I hope it didn't affect you too much academically. Fortunately, as I am working with dd, she is learning and seems to "get it". Because of this experience, I am nervous about next year. One thing for sure is that I will be more of a pita parent. Even though I hate to be like that.

freak alert

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think OP was freaking out at all, simply raising a legitimate concern and seeking advice on how to handle it.

On the contrary, her concerns are irrational and not valid at all. The best way to handle it is to smile and drop LO off at school on the first day.

I absolutely disagree. I have been in education on every level for the last 25 years and believe that the OP has valid concerns. This is not a public school where you get what you get (TFA). If the OP is paying a lot of money, she should be concerned about the quality of education. OP: I would ask the following questions since this is a private school (where teachers are paid considerably less) and since you do not necessarily have to be certified to teach:

Is the teacher certified?

What was the teacher's major?

Did the teacher graduate from a school with a strong education program?

What strengths does the teacher bring to the school?


I did go to only private schools in the DC area and had my share of newly minted teachers. By far the more experienced teachers performed better than others. Don't confuse an experienced teacher with a burnt out teacher. It has taken me years to understand reflective practice not to mention organization strategies and positive classroom management w/o those silly reward incentives. OP advocate for your child!

Typing fast please excuse the typos!

[Anonymous]

I have found that the newer teachers are the ones with the more enthusiasm and the best communication with parents. I have also found that the do not usually put the most challenging kids in the classroom of the newbie teacher, meaning that your child might have better-behaved peers. I'd go into the year with high expectations and don't rock the boat before your child has even started school--that will have a much longer impact on your child's education than this teacher not being experienced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have found that the newer teachers are the ones with the more enthusiasm and the best communication with parents. I have also found that the do not usually put the most challenging kids in the classroom of the newbie teacher, meaning that your child might have better-behaved peers. I'd go into the year with high expectations and don't rock the boat before your child has even started school--that will have a much longer impact on your child's education than this teacher not being experienced.

+++ 1. And if you helpfully and clearly, EXPLICITLY communicate (no "doesn't s/he just know?" assumptions, which are pretty rude and disrespectful and invite defensiveness on the new teacher's part), you'll likely receive the same back.

[simmonsj]

test

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have found that the newer teachers are the ones with the more enthusiasm and the best communication with parents. I have also found that the do not usually put the most challenging kids in the classroom of the newbie teacher, meaning that your child might have better-behaved peers. I'd go into the year with high expectations and don't rock the boat before your child has even started school--that will have a much longer impact on your child's education than this teacher not being experienced.

+++ 1. And if you helpfully and clearly, EXPLICITLY communicate (no "doesn't s/he just know?" assumptions, which are pretty rude and disrespectful and invite defensiveness on the new teacher's part), you'll likely receive the same back.

I have no idea what you are saying here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A new teacher should be mentored, the curriculum and instructional activities should planned and executed by all of the same grade/divisional teams of teachers. If your school is not doing these things, you should find a new one.[/quote]

That's the point of most PP's. OP does not yet know whether her school is doing any of this. She is hung up on the fact that her kid was assigned the new teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think OP was freaking out at all, simply raising a legitimate concern and seeking advice on how to handle it.

On the contrary, her concerns are irrational and not valid at all. The best way to handle it is to smile and drop LO off at school on the first day.

I absolutely disagree. I have been in education on every level for the last 25 years and believe that the OP has valid concerns. This is not a public school where you get what you get (TFA). If the OP is paying a lot of money, she should be concerned about the quality of education. OP: I would ask the following questions since this is a private school (where teachers are paid considerably less) and since you do not necessarily have to be certified to teach:

Is the teacher certified?

What was the teacher's major?

Did the teacher graduate from a school with a strong education program?

What strengths does the teacher bring to the school?


I did go to only private schools in the DC area and had my share of newly minted teachers. By far the more experienced teachers performed better than others. Don't confuse an experienced teacher with a burnt out teacher. It has taken me years to understand reflective practice not to mention organization strategies and positive classroom management w/o those silly reward incentives. OP advocate for your child!

Typing fast please excuse the typos!

And if I were the headmaster and you, as the parent of a K new to the school, came and asked me these questions, I would make sure that teacher got all the support she needed.....in dealing WITH YOU! You are essentially questioning the headmaster as to why he/she hired a teacher and I would think that it will only get worse. Oh, and I would politely answer that "I feel, as the one who hired her, that this teacher is more than qualified to teach your K student and that once you get to know her, hopefully you will feel the same way."

You are telling OP to "adovcate" for her child on the premature assumption that the teacher will not be a good teacher and w/o evidence of such.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think OP was freaking out at all, simply raising a legitimate concern and seeking advice on how to handle it.

She titled her post "vent" + She hasn't even met the teacher and is already trying to figure out if she can get DC reassigned = freaking out

A "vent" is just a way of letting off steam -- not an attack on anyone or a freak-out. I'm a little surprised by the hostile response, though I've been around private school parents long enough to know that nothing scares them more than a parent who isn't going to kiss the admin's butt. There's a difference between raising a concern in a forthright, but non-threatening way, and being a PITA. Learning how to do this will actually help your kid -- which is why most parents are afraid of those who master the art.

[Anonymous]

If you don't trust the school, you shouldn't have accepted a spot. There re NO guarantees that your child will always get the teacher you want. When you enroll in private school, you are choosing to accept their teachers and admin to make certain decisions about your childs curriculum. Unless there are valid reasons for not wanting a specific teacher--and her being new s NOT one of them--keep your mouth shut and learn to pick your battles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think OP was freaking out at all, simply raising a legitimate concern and seeking advice on how to handle it.

On the contrary, her concerns are irrational and not valid at all. The best way to handle it is to smile and drop LO off at school on the first day.

I absolutely disagree. I have been in education on every level for the last 25 years and believe that the OP has valid concerns. This is not a public school where you get what you get (TFA). If the OP is paying a lot of money, she should be concerned about the quality of education. OP: I would ask the following questions since this is a private school (where teachers are paid considerably less) and since you do not necessarily have to be certified to teach:

Is the teacher certified?

What was the teacher's major?

Did the teacher graduate from a school with a strong education program?

What strengths does the teacher bring to the school?


I did go to only private schools in the DC area and had my share of newly minted teachers. By far the more experienced teachers performed better than others. Don't confuse an experienced teacher with a burnt out teacher. It has taken me years to understand reflective practice not to mention organization strategies and positive classroom management w/o those silly reward incentives. OP advocate for your child!

Typing fast please excuse the typos!

And if I were the headmaster and you, as the parent of a K new to the school, came and asked me these questions, I would make sure that teacher got all the support she needed.....in dealing WITH YOU! You are essentially questioning the headmaster as to why he/she hired a teacher and I would think that it will only get worse. Oh, and I would politely answer that "I feel, as the one who hired her, that this teacher is more than qualified to teach your K student and that once you get to know her, hopefully you will feel the same way."

You are telling OP to "adovcate" for her child on the premature assumption that the teacher will not be a good teacher and w/o evidence of such.

Actually, these are legit questions and once I asked myself of some of the teachers my child has had. Teachers do not need to be licensend/certified to teach in private school and some may not even have a degree in education. My child attends a private school in the area and several of the teachers who have been there for years are not in fact licensed teachers - in any state - and have degrees in various subjects.

[Anonymous]

What if the teacher went to a school that does not offer degrees in education, like Princeton?