Teachers- How are classroom assignments conducted? PTA involved?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep. PTA parent who picked my kids teachers here.

As long as you are nice, and work to foster a relationship with the principal in a positive way, why should they say no?

I can see the PTA parents who are a pain in the butt not getting accommodated, but really- volunteering at the school for both SAH and working moms should equal some perks. It's only fair.

It's a PUBLIC SCHOOL education. I don't care how much you do, or do not, volunteer; this should have no impact on which teachers your children are assigned to. Volunteering is a personal choice and you have no idea what leads a parent to make that choice. Sometimes people just can't, but that doesn't mean their children shouldn't get the "good" teachers, too, because you feel entitled. You should read up on the definition of the word "volunteer" before you start thinking that volunteering equals a right to perks like this.

[Anonymous]

OK, eeeeek, put on the brakes here. Or we suggesting that the school district which has a whopping 25% advanced academic population has bad teachers??? How could that be? Oh my.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yep. PTA parent who picked my kids teachers here.

As long as you are nice, and work to foster a relationship with the principal in a positive way, why should they say no?

I can see the PTA parents who are a pain in the butt not getting accommodated, but really- volunteering at the school for both SAH and working moms should equal some perks. It's only fair.

You are a jerk and you make my job as a PTA President harder. I really don't need accusations of nepotism attached to me as I do my level best to do right for
every.
single.
child.
in the building.

[Anonymous]

FWIW, I was at an end of year party last spring, where a PTA officer was loudly bragging that she had threatened our principal that she would "take action" if the ES added a second LLIV/AAP class to deal with the large number of AAP qualified kids at the school. Her thought was that if there was a 2nd class, 40% or more of the grade would be in AAP(tested in or principal placed) and the other classes would have all the "problem kids." I'm guessing her snowflake had no chance of ending up in an AAP classroom. At any rate, she was bragging about how she "told" the principal to ship any extra kids to a center school and the principal had to listen b/c of her PTA position. I'd like to think this was just an overly pushy parent with a very inflated notion of her own importance and influence, and that the principal just ignored her, but it's parents like her, who act like it's their right to manipulate the system, that start these rumors and give the other 98% of the PTA a bad reputation.

[Anonymous]

Take a quick look at class placement and you will notice a clear pattern.

[Anonymous]

Bingo. (To the note about the clear pattern.) Watch for a few years, and you'll really see it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep. PTA parent who picked my kids teachers here.

As long as you are nice, and work to foster a relationship with the principal in a positive way, why should they say no?

I can see the PTA parents who are a pain in the butt not getting accommodated, but really- volunteering at the school for both SAH and working moms should equal some perks. It's only fair.

It's a PUBLIC SCHOOL education. I don't care how much you do, or do not, volunteer; this should have no impact on which teachers your children are assigned to. Volunteering is a personal choice and you have no idea what leads a parent to make that choice. Sometimes people just can't, but that doesn't mean their children shouldn't get the "good" teachers, too, because you feel entitled. You should read up on the definition of the word "volunteer" before you start thinking that volunteering equals a right to perks like this.

I totally agree with you. I suspect, however, that the poster you are quoting is a tell trying to spin up the drama.

[Anonymous]

OK, eeeeek, put on the brakes here. Or we suggesting that the school district which has a whopping 25% advanced academic population has bad teachers??? How could that be?

I love all the teachers that we have had so far in MCPS BUT you can't really give them too much credit for the high percentage of advanced academic kids. Some of these clusters have the highest concentration of PHds in the country. Very, educated smart parents will produce very smart kids who come prepared everyday for school. Most of the kids already know the entire year's curriculum before day 1, some are two years or more years ahead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bingo. (To the note about the clear pattern.) Watch for a few years, and you'll really see it.

Yep. I would definitely not say that all PTA parents at our school do this, but there are a few families with whom this seems pretty clearly the case. It doesn't help that they were practically high-fiving each other about this at the bus stop this year. Although, as in the case of a PP's example of the bragging PTA parent, it's hard to separate the braggadocio from the truth.

On this thread there are PTA parents and teachers who are surprised that people have this opinion of PTA parents. I do not think that PTA parents all do this, but I do think that at my school specifically there are a handful who squawk and persuade and get their way. They are not doing their children any favors.

[Anonymous]

Unless you have first-hand experience with a particular teacher, the notion of "good" or "bad" is subjective. A reportedly good teacher may not be the right teacher for your child. Some teachers are popular because they really don't teach! Makes the kids happy, but do you want that for your child, or would you rather they get something out of their education? Instead of furthering the popularity contest (honestly, haven't we as parents all graduated beyond age 12 by now?), why not give the teacher a try? You just might be pleasantly surprised.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"they often seperate best friends so they aren't too dependant on one another or too clique-y. "

dearl lord. that is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. it's wonderful for children to make best friends at an early age. I find it terrible schools would deliberatesly aim to discourage that.

Parent Here: My child is getting separated from his friend this year and I support it. They are in class to learn, not goof off. They also need to develop friendships throughout the grade, not just with a couple of kids. If one group of kids get's too tight, then that can exclude other kids and make it harder for new kids coming into school. Cliques can lead bullying.

Bottom line: School is not a social club.


My son was separated from his best friend and I concur that it was a good decision. They are trouble in a classroom together. They of course will keep having playdates, but I know both of them will be much better behaved and attentive separated. I didn't request it and my son was dissapointed, but I completely understand why it was done.

[Anonymous]

Non-PTA, volunteer but not terribly often because of my work schedule parent here -- my child got a "good" teacher this year. I'm keeping the faith that assignments aren't done by the PTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm the PTA president at a public school in VA and I can assure you the PTA has nothing to do with classroom assignments.

officially that is.

True, I do notice the PTA officers get the "most reputable" teachers, but I'm sure they have no say in the decision making process...... it's just a coincidence.

[Anonymous]

this thread reminds me of dialogue I heard on desperate housewives:
"but money doesnt buy happiness!"
"Oh please, that's just something we say to keep the poor people from rioting"

[Anonymous]

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Yep. PTA parent who picked my kids teachers here.

As long as you are nice, and work to foster a relationship with the principal in a positive way, why should they say no?

I can see the PTA parents who are a pain in the butt not getting accommodated, but really- volunteering at the school for both SAH and working moms should equal some perks. It's only fair.
[/quote]

:x
You are a jerk and you make my job as a PTA President harder. I really don't need accusations of nepotism attached to me as I do my level best to do right for
every.
single.
child.
in the building.
[/quote]

Amen, I too am a PTSA President. I have done my best to never cross the line. I only advocate on behalf of all of the students, not just mine. We (our Exec Board) have tried to encourage parents to participate. We are not cliquey, we only want parents to come in and help serve their school community. We have opportunities for everyone, whenever a person is available to volunteer we are happy to have them. I as well as the other board members spend and incredible amount of time working to improve the school environment for students and teachers. I have never asked for anything back in return. I am so sick of people complaining about SAHM's, they have chosen to volunteer their time when it would be easier to find a part time job that actually pay's and appreciates them for their efforts. My student had an awful time with one of his teachers last year and BECAUSE of my PTSA affiliation, I let him handle speaking with the counselor and the AP. He was unable to switch his class and struggled the whole year. I never ever even mentioned the issues in my meetings with the principal.
PS: To all of you who just sit back and complain, please try to find a committee to volunteer on, or do something more productive than point fingers and make false accusations. To the complainer: is your school a member of the state and national PTA's or are they a PTO? (I have been in PTO's and there are some good one's too, but PTA has more stringent rules)
I WILL SWEAR TO YOU THAT MY STUDENT DOES NOT GET ANY SPECIAL PREFERENCE BASED ON MY POSITION!!! I wish that he did!!