WES kindergarten teachers
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Anonymous
| We are applying to WES and was wondering if any recent k families have any insight on the WES kindergarten teachers. I'm starting to get anxious about the transition! |
Anonymous
| Both DCs had excellent kindergarten teachers. However, one of the 3rd grade teachers is very mean. The ES "Head" has left, so that's some good news. Ask around before you enroll. |
Anonymous
| Make sure you look at old posts about WES. Many dissatisfied families have left WES with extremely strong feelings. |
Anonymous
However, to be fair, there is a big shake-up at WES right now. New incoming head of school whom everyone is excited about, plus they will hire (or promote from wihtin) a new head of lower school. All bets are that the new team will fix the 3rd and 4th grade years that have been so problematic, and introduce other new policies that will make WES an even better school. |
Anonymous
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Both Mrs. Balcom and Mrs. Schussler are excellent K teachers. Has your DC had a play date at WES? How did it go?
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Anonymous
| It's definitely a gamble |
Anonymous
| These boards and WES, sigh. Lots of people have had a good experience there, although many people ARE happy for the Lower School shake-up. I would not include this year's 3rd grade teachers as a problem, though. I would characterize the "mean" teacher as more old-school, with high expectations, and well-loved by many families. My own son was petrified of her, after shadowing in her classroom. After about a week, he "got" her and realized that she really cared about him and expected his best work. I don't think that is something that should drive folks away. If a 3rd grade child is a behavior problem, though, they might not enjoy that particular classroom. |
Anonymous
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The 3rd grade needs a complete redo.
The teacher is mean and outdated. |
Anonymous
What's wrong with 4th? |
Anonymous
| We just left and missed 4th grade. But, there is big teacher turnover in that grade for some reason. |
cmezoughem@gmail.com
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I have, and always will, Post to DCUM with my name on it. 
DS loved Kindergarten and had Mrs. Balcom. She was kind and caring, yet firm when she needed to be. I felt that she "knew" my child and supported his development. Balcom not only communicated any concerns, but also would be sure to let us know when he had his "great" moments. It is a strong curriculum and the kids get wonderful experiences in all the disciplines. In particular we liked Art and Science. The kids do several performances - Christmas, "NTK Spring Show" and their own class play that they perform in front of the whole school. When I gave birth to my DD in the fall (and she was a preemie and I was in the ICU), I could not have hoped for a more supportive environment when my son was working through his anxiety (about his baby sister and me). Mrs. Schuessler was the other teacher and is now teaching 1st grade. We have her now and she has been fabulous. Thus the other Kindergarten teacher now is Ms. Haggerty. While I don't know her in detail (she previously taught Transition and we didn't have her) - she certainly seems to be a wonderful teacher from what I have seen and heard. As for all this discussion about 3rd grade (which we haven't obviously been in yet), the postings are unfortunate. In particular one of the two teachers is new - I hardly believe anyone on here could have had an experience with her. OP - if you have any particular questions - please feel free to send me a message! |
Anonymous
| Hi we are a WES family. I have been reading negative comments on WES for quite a while on this board. I respect people's views and different experiences. But it is also vastly different from my own. My child has has grown up in WES and is now in fifth grade. She has had nothing but kind, caring, and nurturing teachers. She actually liked the "mean" third grade teacher referred to earlier. This particular teacher scheduled some after school sessions to help her understand a math concept she was having trouble with at that time. Again, people's views can vary. But there are many families such as my own, who have had wonderful experiences at the school. |
Anonymous
I agree it is well worth the money. The lower grade performances are delightful! I hope they improve the performances in the middle school. |
Anonymous
| There is a psycho mean 4th grade teacher. WES won't help you if your child has a problem with that. You have been warned. We had a good year and then 2 very bad ones (3rd and 4th) -- we left! |
Anonymous
| We recently left WES. The Early Childhood classes are excellent. After those nice early years, WES was terribly disappointing. |