How hard is it to request a new teacher?

We met DD's teacher last night

I had a feeling once I learned who her teacher was going to be that this would be a rough year. The first week and a half of school was also another sign that this was going to be a rough year.

Then we met her last night at back to school night and it was a disaster. The looks on all of the parents faces was the look of concern, worry and disappointment.

I know I overreact to certain situations but when my DH shares the same sentiment as me then I know I am not overreacting.

I am going to start documenting all of the issues that have occurred to this point and moving forward. Then I will address them with the teacher and if that does not get me anywhere then I will address them with the Principal and Vice Principal.

But I don't want my DD's 2nd grade education to be in jeopardy. She is a smart kid and I am sure she will do fine in the class but she and all of the other kids in the class don't deserve a teacher that is not up to par.

I respect teachers so much and I know how hard their job is but I have to put my kid's education above all else.

How hard is it to request a new teacher?

In our school, you just contact the Principal and get switched out. Easy peasy for the parents I know that have said they did that!

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

IMO if you want to switch her, do it sooner rather than later.

My DS had a flex schedule in 4th grade and the teacher who he went to math with was not a good fit for him, we made him stick it out until January but in hindsight I wouldn't do that again.

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

In my DS's school, this would be extremely difficult to do.

The only time I have heard it happening ever is based on a true need, and not a preference or a "fit" issue, if that makes sense. The only specific instance I can recall is of a child being diagnosed with a learning issue mid-year and it being decided that the child would function better in an inclusion room (we call it ERR in our school - extra resource room), where special ed and general ed students are mixed, versus a typical gen ed classroom. In our school, there are usually 5 sections per grade level, with 2 of the 5 being the ERR inclusion settings, so there were options. And that child was deemed to need the more supportive learning environment with the special ed teacher pushing in, the extra aide in the room, etc. It was more about a learning environment/special need than about a preference for a teacher. And it occurred halfway through the school year, not in the first weeks.

I sympathize because my DS is in 4th, and he has had some amazing teachers. But he had one that I was less than thrilled with for many reasons. His teacher this year is a much better fit for him - she's engaging and he's excited about school. Unfortunately, as with any career, there are teachers who are really passionate about what they do, and it shows, and there are those who are just phoning it in. You hope the latter are few and far between.

My advice would be to just try to stay on top of it. I don't know the specific reasons that you dislike the teacher or believe it's not a good fit for your DD, but I would address your concerns with the teacher first (as specific issues arise), and if it continues, speak to the principal to try to improve the situation in the current class. The squeaky wheel gets the oil in a school setting.

But I would not personally request a change of class unless something truly grievous has happened. I think they are unlikely to honor your request, and it may look like you are jumping to conclusions that aren't warranted given that the school year has just begun. I know in DS's school, class placements came out very late August when they have come in June every other year. They changed it this year, I think to avoid some of the complaining and requests for changes. I don't think any school would want to set a precedent of changing kids' placement after school has begun just by parent request alone.

Also, as hard as it is to accept, the kids -- even when they are little -- do have to learn to adjust to all kinds of people and teaching styles, and they are resilient and they do. Maybe it won't be what you hoped for in every sense, but she may learn some good life lessons. Of course, I'm just speaking generally. I don't know the issues - I mean, we all want our kids to enjoy school, and you wouldn't want her to be crying every day that she doesn't want to or something like that if it's because of the teacher. But again, I would try to address it with the teacher first.

Hope things improve!

How hard is it to request a new teacher?

Do it now!! I had the same concerns for DS' first grade teacher a few years back and I told myself that I was overreacting. I should have listened to myself.

DS had anxiety so bad that year because of her. She was a yeller and so two faced! I never had any personal issues with DS and her, but several parents did and the things I heard were mouth dropping. It was her first year at the school and they let her go the next year because the incoming 1st grade parents heard about her and outright refused to have her for their child. I really think it takes a certain type of person to be working with the younger grades. These are the years that are impressionable on kids and having teachers who will stress them out or not teach them well is a disservice to them. Say something now.

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Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

In both the district I live in and the one I work in it would never happen with a true and pressing NEED.

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

Message edited 9/18/2018 4:47:49 PM.

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

In our district, impossible.

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I do not know of ANY situation where a child will be removed from a class and put into another one when the school year has already started. There was a post on the Families board about class size a few weeks back. My response on that post outlines just how intricate making classes and pairing with teachers goes. Its only 8 days into the school year, I would not jump to conclusions yet.

How hard is it to request a new teacher?

In our district it’s impossible. Once classes are made and he year starts - people cannot be moved.

I do know of some people getting a teacher changed when we used to find out on the last day of school.

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

Message edited 9/19/2018 10:19:29 PM.

How hard is it to request a new teacher?

NRaboni, only in 2 instances have I heard of this happening. One, where the little girl (4th grade) ended up with alopecia because of the stress. They switched her. The other was a first grade boy who was throwing up every day before school. While the second kid IMO was just immature, they still switched him.
Try and get a medical note.
I'm dying to know what made you and DH concerned at BTSN (and the other parents, too)

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

OP, what are the concerns?

If it’s something curriculum based, request a meeting with her so she can present it to you. Don’t wait for parent/teacher conferences. I would definitely make the principal aware that you have concerns.

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

Thanks ladies!

I am not going to pursue it because my reasons, although valid, are not substantial enough (IMO) to have her switched out.

I know it's still really early in the school year and we haven't had a full week of school yet.

My concerns aren't curriculum based. It's how she presented herself at back to school night and the information, or lack there of, that has come home each day.

At back to school night when she was asked very specific questions her answers had nothing to do with the question. It's like she wasn't even listening to the parents. So the parent would ask the same question again and finally get somewhat of an answer but the teacher still went off on a tangent.

Like I said before, my DD is smart and I am pretty confident she will do well but the lack of structure and disorganization of this teacher worries me.

I'll end on this note - at back to school night there was a handout on all of the kids desks with their login information for Journeys and Envision. The top portion of this handout was a note from the teacher BUT the name of the teacher on the handout was another 2nd grade teacher! If you are going to use another teachers stuff that's totally fine but change the name so it's representative of your class.

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

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Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

I think you are over reacting if your complaint is that the teacher used another teacher's standard hand out. In our school once a month one of the 4 grade level teachers makes a hand out for the entire grade. So your kid who is not in that class will come home with a hand out from another teacher. In our district there is no way your kid would get moved. In fact, just like having a kid you don't like in class, or a problem boss, or problem co worker, you need to learn to deal with it. The sooner you learn to cope with people you don't like, the better it is for your entire life.

The fact is, there are better and worse teachers. In our school there is one bad 4th grade teacher. She is a yeller. I am glad my child is not in that classroom, because emotionally I am sure she could not handle it. It was why I wrote a letter before hand to the school saying my child needs a nurturing teacher.

Re: How hard is it to request a new teacher?

How hard is it to request a new teacher?

There is validity to this complaint about using another teacher's name on your handout- if you can't change it, add yours (or the entire team). She clearly sounds like she disappointed the parents somewhat, and this is just one of the straws that's loading onto the camel's back. While you may not be able to switch, make a careful note of everything, just in case there is a reason to see administration about something.
Maybe you know a parent kid in that other teacher's class? (the one on the handout) I'm guessing this lady leans on the other teacher's material, and you could check up on progress and instruction through another mom... just an idea