Have you requested a particular teacher?

[Anonymous]

Wondering if parents typically request a certain teacher (not necessarily to avoid a particular teacher to to request what you think would be the best fit for your child).

[Anonymous]

I did it once in six years at the same school. Worked out fine.

[Anonymous]

In our school it is REALLY frowned upon. Parents end up getting the opposite of their request.

[Anonymous]

I did not request a particular teacher - I worked with the current teacher to understand the environment where my child was most successful and wrote a letter to the Principal asking for a classroom the best reflected my child's needs.

I think we would have wound up with the same teacher either way - but in this particular case wanted my concerns to be considered. It worked out very well for my child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our school it is REALLY frowned upon. Parents end up getting the opposite of their request.

we have done it when our older kids have had them and we know that they are good. We made a mistake this time not requesting a different teacher for a very different child

[Anonymous]

I always speak directly to the teacher whose class I would like them placed in. It usually works out well except when the teacher leaves or is shifted to another grade.

[Anonymous]

I did that with my daughter and it turned out that the teacher was great on the outside, not such a great teacher. You may not really know what those doing the assignment know.

[Anonymous]

I have, but only with the advice of my child's current teacher. At our school, teachers often make recommendations for the next school year taking personalities, relationships between students, learning style, etc. into account. So far we've loved our child's teachers so each year, I've been happy to hear their recommendation and then reinforce it with the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have, but only with the advice of my child's current teacher. At our school, teachers often make recommendations for the next school year taking personalities, relationships between students, learning style, etc. into account. So far we've loved our child's teachers so each year, I've been happy to hear their recommendation and then reinforce it with the principal.

This is a very helpful idea!

[Anonymous]

There are two classes per grade at our school. If there is a teacher who I really don't want, I think about the strengths of the other teacher. Usually the teacher I don't want has a massive flaw - like poor classroom control or is super harsh. Then I would say to the current teacher at the last conference, "Kai did really well this year and I think he'd do well to conitnue with a teacher who has strong structure." or "Kai has anxiety, and when a teacher yells at kids a lot or is harsh it is really hard for him. He does well with a calm but authoritative teacher." It has worked really well for me. Focusing on characteristics of a teacher and not a specific teacher's name.

[Anonymous]

I was going to, but was told already and it was the one we wanted. Win, win.

[Anonymous]

How are students assigned to classrooms at your school? I'm sure it's school dependent, but curious to hear how assignments are made in general. Are teachers often part of the process or is it the job of the principal, director, or other school official?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did that with my daughter and it turned out that the teacher was great on the outside, not such a great teacher. You may not really know what those doing the assignment know.

This is totally true. Remember that you know a lot less about the teachers than the school knows about your kid. My inclination is that if you trust the school administration and the teachers overall, let them exercise their professional judgment as to class assignments.

[Anonymous]

no because it complicates relationships too much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How are students assigned to classrooms at your school? I'm sure it's school dependent, but curious to hear how assignments are made in general. Are teachers often part of the process or is it the job of the principal, director, or other school official?

I think it depends a lot on the school. I think at smaller schools it's generally done by the principal, with input from the teachers, of course. I think a lot of bigger schools have "teacher teams" at each grade level, with a "team lead" that will likely lead the process for that grade, with principal guidance and sign off, of course.