Requesting teachers

Do you request teachers or let the chips fall where they may. This is a hot topic with the mom's at school. What are your thoughts. Do the teachers know best or Mom in this case???

ETA: I have never requested a teacher but I did negatively request a teacher once.

Message edited 5/15/2010 9:30:32 PM.

Re: Requesting teachers

There are definitly teachers that I would like my child to have but I don't think I would request. I have only gotten to know a few teachers in the district from both my SS and children I have babysat. I don't know enough about all of them to make that decision. If I didn't like a teacher, I might request not to have one like you said.

Re: Requesting teachers

I have not but I know with our school, they said you can send in a letter outlining your child's needs but they will not accept requests for specific teachers. I thought about it bc my DS has ADHD but it's a new diagnosis and he is doing very well right now with the behavior modification we have implemented with a psychologist separate of the school. He does very well academically so I'm not sure what I'd be asking for, it's still too new.

Re: Requesting teachers

There is absolutley NO requesting teachers at my DD school. I'm sure if there was a valid reason why, you could mention it and I'd like to think they'd consider it if brougt it to their attention way in advance. However, when you get who your DC child's new teacher will be (in August) and you don't like them nthen it's too bad. There is no switching.

Re: Requesting teachers

Re: Requesting teachers

Our schools say you can't request teachers. One of the first grade teachers at our elementary school went to high school with DH and I so we're considering requesting the other teacher just to avoid any awkward situations. But we have a year to decide and I'm planning on reaching out to her to see how she feels about it anyway.

And when the time comes, one of the high school math teachers is DH's ex-girlfriend from high school & college, it didn't end so well so if she's still there we'll definitely be requesting a different teacher.

Re: Requesting teachers

I also want to add that as parents, esp if your child has a special need that you would hope would be paired with the right fit, even if not legally obligated, I can only imagine if the schools had to assign teachers based on parents input and requests. Yikes!

Re: Requesting teachers

We have a strict no request policy. A letter came home a few weeks ago that basicly stated not to even ask.

Message edited 9/1/2011 3:11:59 PM.

Re: Requesting teachers

I won't have to come into that situation since the school my kids go to only has one class per grade.

I do remember growing up that my brother and I were in the same grade (not twins, but 10 months apart). My brother was learning disabled (although at the time, there was no label for him).. We were never put in the same class, and I do believe that the teachers we were given reflected our learning capabilities... I always felt like my brother always got the better teachers! But he benefited from the teachers he got for a reason, so I think it was always chosen with some thought behind it.

Re: Requesting teachers

Our school also has a policy wherein they cannot guarantee requests - and honestly it never occurred to me that I should have a preference.

If there is a challenge with a teacher in the first few weeks, I would absolutely have no issue demanding a new classroom for my kid.

Message edited 5/17/2010 1:36:13 PM.

Re: Requesting teachers

WE have a "no request" policy but can write a letter outlining what we think our child needs.

Because, I am so well acquainted with the school and teachers, I have to say that I usually do have a preference and always write the letter trying to "sell" my kid into that class.

Just last week, I had occasion to speak to my daughter's 1st grade teacher and mentioned to her that I thought Ms. W would be a great fit for second grade. She agreed and said we'll see what happens.

Can you tell I have control issues

Re: Requesting teachers

Our school also sent a "no request" letter, you can only state if you don't want a sibling to repeat the same teacher as an older child.

Re: Requesting teachers

In my district, parents are not allowed to "request" teachers.

Re: Requesting teachers

just FYI - the school I work in has a no request policy, but the parents do it anyway - and guess what...they do honor a lot of it.

We area small school, so it's easier to keep track of, so if they don't get what they like there is a reason.

Teacher and student personalities and friends and enemies are taking into account while placing.

Re: Requesting teachers

ive requested teachers for my youngest. he struggles in school and if i felt a teacher was going to be better for him i asked. my request was always granted. they do send a letter stating that they do not honor requests.