Asking for a change in teacher/class

Hi,

Asking this for a friend... I am hoping some of the teachers on this board can help out.

How unreasonable is it to ask for a change in teacher/class for an elementary school student? What is the procedure for this? The principal seems reluctant to do so. However the child seems to be extremely fearful of the teacher and very unhappy.

Please advise.

Re: Asking for a change in teacher/class

it really depends on incidents and the specific case as well as the administration in the school...i know this sounds general...

Re: Asking for a change in teacher/class

I am an elementary level special education teacher... this is my take.

Unless they is a serious situation goign on, it is quite difficult to change a student... particularly at this point in the year- we are more than half-way throguh the school year.

I have only seen it done once, but it was beacuse of a severe bullying situation and it was emotionally and physically best for the victim to be removed from the class.

From an administrative point of view, it is professional suicide for them to remove a student unless absolutely necessary. Otherwise, every parent in the school would want the same for their child and there would be chaos. Not every child is going to love their teacher and the principal can't just move kids because that's what the parents want.

however, this is not to say it's not possible, or perhaps in your situation, necessary. i would still look into it but i think it would depend on what has already been done to solve the problem?

-has the parent expressed their concerns to the teacher?
-has the child expressed his/her concerns to the teacher or principal (if developmentally appropriate?)
-have there been meetings between the teacher and parent re: this? or meetings between the adminsitration and the parent re: this?
-What is it that the teacher is doing to make the child feel uncomfortable? (Every child is not going to love their teacher---is it that or is the teacher acting professionally inappropriate--there is a big difference there)
-why is the principal reluctant to move the child?
-has the parent spoken with other parents in the class or with parents of former students of this teacher? do they feel the same way? is this a larger issue or just one child?

Good luck with this... please feel free to let me know if you need anything.

Re: Asking for a change in teacher/class

They normally won't do it if there is nothing serious going on and the child just doesn't like the teacher. The theory being we all will have to work with people that we do not like in this world.

Has the parent met with the teacher to discuss the issues?

Has the teacher addressed or said he/she would address the issues?

Re: Asking for a change in teacher/class

When I was teaching, the only time the principal would even consider pulling a child from a class was during the first 3 days of the school year, if not before the year started, and even then it was rare. To do it mid-year, I'm guessing, would take a very drastic reason, because the principal needs to be prepared to defend that decision and can't just be changing the classes of every child whose parent requests it.

Donegal419 gave you a great answer.

Re: Asking for a change in teacher/class