FCPS - avoiding bad 1st grade teacher

[Anonymous]

My Kindergartener DS has had a great year at FCPS. He loves going, loves reading, math, music, etc etc. It's been awesome.

So, next year, there is one 1st grade teacher that has a terrible reputation. Since DS is our eldest, I've obviously not had any first hand experience with her, but I've heard from other parents in the neighborhood, at preschool, and also, once from a complete stranger making idle chitchat ("Your child goes to that elementary school? My daughter just finished up a horrible year with Miss Larla. Do whatever you can to avoid her!"). From what I hear, she is a yeller who makes kids fear asking questions or even answering questions. If a parent is in the room, she becomes much calmer but the kids say, "That's not how she is when there are no parents around." She is young, but has been at FCPS for several years. She started out as a 5th grade teacher and after there were too many complaints about her, she was moved to 1st grade two years ago. Now the 1st grade parents have wised up and are warning all of us!

Is there anything I can do to avoid getting this teacher?? I have been tempted to email DS's K teacher and say, "I'm concerned about next year and the possibility he will be in Miss Larla's class." But I feel so inappropriate doing that, like I'm gossiping about her coworkers. I've also thought about reaching out to the principal or the guidance counselor, but I have had zero contact with either or them this entire school year so it feels strange to email them.

Parents say that you can fill out a form where you can specify the type of learning environment you feel would be best for your child. Everyone I know has written how their child doesn't do well with yelling, needs a nurturing calm atmosphere -- they have all ended up with Miss Larla. I wonder if it's a bit of a F U to people who complain -- so I'm scared to complain.

What do you think? Has anyone had a similar situation? Or are kids tough enough and having one bad teacher is unlikely to scar them forever? (I should know -- halfway in 3rd grade my parents moved and I was placed in a foreign school where my teacher routinely hit kids for scoring below 85% on tests. I ended up getting hit all the time.)

[Anonymous]

In general schools do not like for parents to specifically request a teacher or specifically not request a teacher. If your school accepts parent input on the next school year it's usually how you describe above, a form/narrative where you generally describe the best learning environment for your child. But again, if you try to phrase it so that your request appears specific, without actually naming the teacher, it could still backfire.

[Anonymous]

First, OP, do NOT discuss this issue with your child.

I had a fourth grade teacher who was mean--but I learned a lot that year. I was a meek little girl--but, I remember how awful she was to the boys--and Annette, one of the rowdier girls in our class.
However, I probably learned more that year than any other. I was very upset when I found out that I would be in her class--my next door neighbor had been assigned to her the year before, but her mother had her moved before the first day. My mother would not do that.

My DD had a yeller--but she, too, was an excellent teacher. And, this teacher "read" my child better than any other teacher she had. (She was not mean--just yelled a lot--didn't bother my DD because she was not the one being yelled at.

Now, for the letter. It may or may not be a good idea. No one on this forum can decide that for you.

Your DD may not get this teacher. If she does, this is what I would do.

First, when you meet the teacher, be positive. Be specially positive with your DD. Do not grill her about the teacher when she comes home from school. That does NOT mean that you do not pay attention. If you sense something is wrong, then LISTEN to DD--do not grill.
If something happens that disturbs you--and pick your battles, please--then write the teacher. If you do not get an appropriate response or change, then write the principal. But, be sure you are specific--not "Ms soandso yells." Instead," DD is very unhappy at school. She says that Ms S yells a lot and it really makes her anxious. I hope you can do something to help this situation." If the principal does not react, then write again. Third time, copy the School Board member with a note that this is the third time you have written about this issue.
Principals sometimes need documentation in order to remove a teacher. Letters from parents may carry some weight if they are specific.

Now, FWIW, DD had another teacher (not a yeller) who was supposed to be awful. According to other parents, she didn't teach anything. This turned out to be absolutely far from the truth. DD thrived in her class and the teacher was in tune to her. She even recommended another child for her to be friends with. (DD didn't have many friends.) DD is grown now and these girls are still friends. Teacher was obsessed with eating healthy and exercise and implemented both in her class. DD responded to these life skills far better than what I did with her at home. She still eats healthy and exercises.
My point is that other parents thought this was an awful teacher--and she was not.
DD also had some teachers that were among the most popular. They were not necessarily the most effective teachers. You never know.

[Anonymous]

Everyone warned me to stay away from this one first grade teacher for my kids. Of course, one can't control those things and we ended up getting her. She was amazing.

[Anonymous]

At our school you can fill out a form (not requesting to have/not have a certain teacher) explaining what learning environment is best suited for your child, and what your child's strength weaknesses are. In addition to other things, I always put that my child needs a teacher who is "approachable." I've never gotten the undesirable teacher so far.

[Anonymous]

I think it's impossible to avoid a bad teacher or two, but if it consists, it's probably an issue at the Principal level.

[Anonymous]

Just list the attributes that this teacher lacks. Larla would benefit from a nurturing, structured environment with a teacher with excellent classroom management skills.

[Anonymous]

Just tell them your child will not be in her class. Done. That's it. And yes you can do that...

[Anonymous]

So glad I'm out of Fairfax County....

[Anonymous]

Write to the principal telling her what kind of teacher your child best responds to.

If the bad teacher gives your kid a hard time, don't wait to ask for a change. If a change is needed, insist that it happen, immediately. I regret not moving my child when the 2nd grade teacher behaved badly (school admitted it). They asked to give the teacher the chance to apologize and correct. I should have insisted on a new teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's impossible to avoid a bad teacher or two, but if it consists, it's probably an issue at the Principal level.

OP here. I completely agree, and looking back, I have certainly had a few bad teachers (and a bad year, including the one where I was hit on a regular basis!)
I know perfectly well that IF DS ends up with this teacher and IF she is a bad fit, then yes, DS may have a rough year but will likely be fine the next year. But it seems like if there is a way for him to avoid having a bad year, I would really like to pursue it if it's possible.

[Anonymous]

Sounds exactly like my son's first grade teacher. Exactly. That was a horrible year. He was so unhappy that he was crying and sick almost every day. I was in more meetings with the school than I can count. But guess what? Even though the kids and parents hated her, she was regarded as a great teacher by the school! Because she really "pushed the kids" to do their best and had high expectations and they all learned so much in a year in her class. Many of them learned to hate school, too.

[Anonymous]

So glad I'm out of Fairfax County....

Yes, all the other systems have perfect teachers and principals.

[Anonymous]

OP here. 12:38 - Thank you so much for your detailed response! I only hope if DS does have this teacher, he ends up having a similar experience as your daughter. I will be sure to document if there does happen to be an issue. I have heard it is very difficult to fire teachers in FCPS, and I wonder if that is what is going on here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just list the attributes that this teacher lacks. Larla would benefit from a nurturing, structured environment with a teacher with excellent classroom management skills.

This is exactly what other parents have done who were trying to avoid this teacher and they ended up with her.