Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's wrong. Why shouldn't the 5-10% of parents who do ALL the work of the PTA get to pick their kids teachers?

I have picked mine the last 5 years. I have a great relationship with the principal. All hush-hush, of course.

You want the perks? Step up to the plate.

well finally the truth comes out!

They may not have any direct involvement, but if the school knows parent so and so very well and they do a lot for the school, it is unlikely that the child would be placed in the one classroom that the administration is particularly worried about for any reason. That doesn't mean they necessarily get to pick between the other 3 classes or however large each grade is.

At our DD's school, when we want to know which teacher is good, we only need to look at old yearbooks. Oh surprise!!! All teachers, admin, and PTA's kids have always been assigned to the same teachers throughout the years. It never fails...

As an influential parent with access to the principal, I think there probably are influential parents who have some influence, but it is subtle influence. It's true that when you put a lot of time into the school, you build a lot of capital with the principal. The principal needs parents to run events and raise money. Money can go into helping low income kids go on field trips or to bring in interesting afterschool programs or just help teachers with supplies so they can do a better job. That is critical stuff that needs to get done to make the school work well. If putting a kid in Mrs B's class helps a key parent, then that seems normal to me.

That all said, we have never made requests. The main reason is that I trust all the teachers in our school. Some of them are less than communicative with me, but the kids like them and are doing well. It is good for my kids to be exposed to different teaching styles and temperaments just like they will see in college and in the work place. If I have a specific issue with a teacher, I will raise it then. I rarely have specific issues with teachers.

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.

Your attitude is exactly why other parents don;t volunteer. No one wants to be around they martyr types who think they are the ones that make the school function. I do volunteer for many of the activities that the PTA asks for volunteers for but it can sometimes be painful when people like you are working at the same time.

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and yes, I do sometimes troll. Not this time. If you are guilty because you don't volunteer and wonder why your kid gets the crappy teacher that's YOUR problem, not mine.

Lady, you are a class act.

A strong principal should trust the judgment of his/her faculty and do assignments without parent input. If I knew that parents were swaying decisions I would question my principal's leadership.

Oh, and yes, I do sometimes troll. Not this time. If you are guilty because you don't volunteer and wonder why your kid gets the crappy teacher that's YOUR problem, not mine.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's wrong. Why shouldn't the 5-10% of parents who do ALL the work of the PTA get to pick their kids teachers?

I have picked mine the last 5 years. I have a great relationship with the principal. All hush-hush, of course.

You want the perks? Step up to the plate.

Because at a public school all students should be treated equally, not just those whose parents can afford a SAH parent or who can pay for the childcare needed to attend all the PTA meetings. Being on the PTA is a great service to the school, but it should certainly not be a prerequisite to "get the perks" of a public school education.

Ha! The majority of our PTA officers, as well as most who chair committees, are working parents.

I don't think it's wrong. Why shouldn't the 5-10% of parents who do ALL the work of the PTA get to pick their kids teachers?

I have picked mine the last 5 years. I have a great relationship with the principal. All hush-hush, of course.

You want the perks? Step up to the plate.

I'm absolutely certain you are a troll and I'm calling you out because you are preying on people's fears and that is some ugly game playing. The PTA has no influence over class assignments. There are, in fact, very specific policies in the national PTA and most PTOs that forbid conflict of interest and undue influence occasions as they know it undermines their mission. You insult PTAs everywhere when you troll like this. You should be ashamed.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think it's wrong. Why shouldn't the 5-10% of parents who do ALL the work of the PTA get to pick their kids teachers?

I have picked mine the last 5 years. I have a great relationship with the principal. All hush-hush, of course.

You want the perks? Step up to the plate.

Because at a public school all students should be treated equally, not just those whose parents can afford a SAH parent or who can pay for the childcare needed to attend all the PTA meetings. Being on the PTA is a great service to the school, but it should certainly not be a prerequisite to "get the perks" of a public school education.

I don't think it's wrong. Why shouldn't the 5-10% of parents who do ALL the work of the PTA get to pick their kids teachers?

I have picked mine the last 5 years. I have a great relationship with the principal. All hush-hush, of course.

You want the perks? Step up to the plate.

Anonymous wrote:There is no official role, but the PTA president or other influential adults in some schools can make requests for their own children (unofficially, of course), and that might include asking for certain other children to be in the class - or not be in the class - with their child. A friend of mine is PTA president and sits down with the principal and chooses all her children's teachers every year. In my opinion it's reasonable as long as the request has no negative effect on another child. I'm sorry to say at the school where I worked such requests sometimes did have negative effects on other children, who were pushed out of classes they should have been in because of a parent request from a more influential parent.

This is exactly what I was afraid of. I think that is so wrong!