Disappointed with teacher assignment (Full Version)

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csl7037 -> Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 6:50:33 PM)

...I'm trying not to be. Both my kids' new teachers just called me to say they got my kid. I'm not surprised by dd's teacher - there are only two this year in 4th grade, they're both great, and she'll be switching for some subjects so it doesn't really matter. But I'm bummed about who ds got - not because of who he got, really, but because of who he didn't get....

This is the second year I've not gotten who I requested. And he's only in second grade! Last year it turned out fine but I'm really praying this year is better than "fine" for him. This teacher is new and I'm sure she'll be great - although I don't know if she's ever even taught before!! But there's another 2nd grade teacher who is phenomenal and I really wanted ds to have her! I'm so disappointed that now neither of my kids will get the chance to be in her class!! But especially ds.

I am really just venting. Gotta let this go. I was able to mask my disappointment when the teacher called - and it's not her that I'm disappointed about. She's new; if her predecessor hadn't retired and she'd been the one who called me, I'd be really upset right now and wouldn't have been able to hide that!! It is a Christian school (I'm on the Board) and they insist they put a lot of prayer and thought and discussion into placement. Apparently, they think they know better than me, though. I realize not everyone can get that one fabulous teacher. And I'll be OK with it all by Friday. But if the teacher ds got last year was really who God led them to place him (us) with, He must've been trying to teach me something! Maybe He still is???

[sm=popsigh.gif]



twoboys -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 7:27:37 PM)

I understand your feelings. Last year ds didn't get who I wanted either. But as the year went on I LOVED her and was soooo glad that was who he ended up with.

I think the beginning of the school year is harder on us than them! :)



garsyt -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 7:40:15 PM)

Is there anyway you could request your child be moved to the other teachers class based on how you think it would be best for your ds? I had to talk to the powers that be at my kids' school to see if we could get my youngest ds placed in a classroom that would be best for him. Now our school has a strict policy about requesting specific teachers, but Ethan did end up getting a teacher that would work out better for him then the teacher he did have.

Sometimes all you have to do is ask. It doesn't hurt to ask. You may not get the change you desire, but you KNOW you won't if you don't ask.

Blessings,

Garsy



fantom -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 7:51:31 PM)

Remember the placement is not just based on individual students but on the group dynamic that will be there.

At the Christian school my daughters went to the teachers from the previous year met with those from the coming year to set balances in the class. This is probably found more in smaller schools or schools where teachers know the students better.

# of boys v girls
# of dynamos v calmers

I am guessing the # of parents who can volunteer in the classroom might even fall into it. "oh, Mrs. Mommy was a great help in art class!" to the teacher who doesn't like teaching art could be a godsend.

those kinds of things. Because my younger daughter was one that was a positive influence and a good student, she would have been one that all the teachers would want to work into their groups where my older daughter who was talkative and easily distracted would have been one that they would have hoped to balance. Although a leader, she had to be chanelled. The younger not as much a leader but strongly worked to be on the "right" road.

Think if one teacher got ALL the leaders or conversely ALL the followers. The whole room dynamic could be skewed.



garsyt -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 8:07:40 PM)

quote:

At the Christian school my daughters went to the teachers from the previous year met with those from the coming year to set balances in the class. This is probably found more in smaller schools or schools where teachers know the students better.


You are likely right that it happens more in smaller schools. Unfortunately in some schools it's administration making out the class lists simply based numbers. Some schools claim to take parent input and former teacher input into consideration and I do think to some extent they do, but not nearly as much as I would like.

It doesn't hurt to ask tho.

Garsy



csl7037 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 8:11:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: twoboys
I think the beginning of the school year is harder on us than them! :)


This is so true!!!

With the registration paperwork, I wrote a note and said that I'd love to have the teacher dd had two years ago but that, for ds, I'd really love to have the other teacher based on his personality and hers. So I requested A or B and got C! I know the answer and the explanation I'll get if I were to go to the principal about it. And I know they take a lot of things into consideration. The 2nd grade assignments are primarily made by the 1st grade teachers. I just don't think his 1st grade teacher really knows him that well. Maybe that's silly, she was his teacher a whole year. I guess I just don't think she and I think the same way about ds or in general. He's my baby; maybe that's my problem.

I also just realized this my second somewhat-whiney or down post about school starting...I'm really excited for school to start and looking forward to this year! Second grade is great - lots of activities, parties, field trips, and fun stuff. Dd has always gotten the perfect teacher (1st - 4th). She's a bit more difficult to handle than ds. My fear is that the difficult or challenging kids get the really good teachers and we're stuck getting the OK ones with ds.

His teacher last year did challenge him. I just wish he had someone more loving. But I really can't say for sure that he'd have done better in one of the other teachers' classes. So maybe that is exactly where he should've been last year. And I don't know this new lady at all. I'm really glad he didn't get the lady that just retired! I think I'm going to sit down with the new teacher - or maybe write her a note in the interest of time, she'll be swamped at the open house Friday. I want to tell her up front that I want ds to be challenged but loved. He's very capable and I want him to stay motivated and keep progressing at his pace. But he's also very sensitive.

My prayer for him this year, for the next few weeks, will be that the two of them bond...maybe the Lord will show her something in ds that reminds her of one of her grown sons. In preschool and Kindergarten, ds had these teachers that he adored. That's what was missing last year. I am just going to pray that God develops a great relationship between the two of them and believe for a great year!

Is the note a good idea? I could put it with a small gift/token (small plant?) to make it seem less of a issue-addressing note and more of a welcome/have a great year note/gift. Would that totally seem like sucking up?



JuliaHop -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 9:04:53 PM)

quote:

Is the note a good idea? I could put it with a small gift/token (small plant?) to make it seem less of a issue-addressing note and more of a welcome/have a great year note/gift. Would that totally seem like sucking up?


I don't think that I would send such a note.

quote:

I want to tell her up front that I want ds to be challenged but loved.


To me that would sound more like a threat...particularly since you are on the school board.



coolfamily6 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 9:18:12 PM)

CSL, I find that I have a much harder time letting my son grow and accept things with him than with my girls. He is much more sensitive but it comes out as frustration and that is a problem with some people in authority. His teacher last year was not my favorite but he LOVED her.

I did have to go to bat for him over a couple of issues within the class but it really was a good year for him. This year we transferred him to a larger school mainly because he would have had the same teacher. I am extremely worried about how he will handle 6 different teachers and 176 classmates rather than 18.

I would schedule a meeting with the teacher in a week or two just to touch bases with her about how he is adjusting to the new year. She may be a better teacher than the one you know.



csl7037 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 9:21:20 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JuliaHop
I don't think that I would send such a note...

...To me that would sound more like a threat...particularly since you are on the school board.


It sounded better in my head. [sm=shakinghead.gif]



coolfamily6 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 9:32:41 PM)

quote:

It sounded better in my head.


That happens to me a lot. [:)]
quote:

It sounded better in my head.



JuliaHop -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/12/2008 9:39:56 PM)

quote:

It sounded better in my head.

That happens to me a lot.


Same here....[:)]



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 8:24:52 AM)

Last year was the last year they allowed parents to request certain teachers at Thing 2's school. He found out who his teacher is this year (he's in 3rd grade now) and is quite pleased with her.

Last year he requested a teacher and they were balking at whether to put him with her or not. The school/previous teachers were afraid she wouldn't be challenging enough. Then they assigned a special needs child in there (a very sweet kid, just a bit slower than the others) and the teacher said, "Only if I get [Thing 2]."

Later that year she expressed her concern with Thing 2 being the most challenging student she's had in a while, but she managed to do it so I was pleased.

To be honest, I would just wait and see what happens. For 1st grade Thing 2 didn't get the teacher he wanted and she ended up doing wonders with him.



csl7037 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 8:59:26 AM)

Ds' friend's mom just told me that the principal called her on Monday to tell her personally that the other teacher had retired. But ds' friend ended up with the really fabulous teacher that I requested! This friend had some problems at the beginning of the year (which I think was because of the teacher he and ds had last year more than was his problem) so his mom thought maybe that's why she made a point to give her a call personally. Which supports my theory that because ds is no problem, a seemingly easy going kid, he gets the just OK teacher. And he'll be OK with anyone but I want him to have a better than OK year! And he's not as easy going as he seems; his teacher last year stressed him out at times.

At this point, I guess, I'm just thankful that last person retired! We don't know the new lady; she may be the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to ds! I'm just going to commit to pray that he is challenged this year and that she and ds bond well early on so that he's inspired and feels loved and has a great year.

After this year, I know the third and fourth grade teachers are all wonderful; and they rotate so they have all the teachers anyway. I think it gets a little dicey in 5th and 6th but I can't think about that yet!



artemis -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 9:09:27 AM)

It's possible that they are trying to give the new teacher an easier group of kids so she makes it through her first year teaching with her sanity in tact [;)] It doesn't help you any and it's too bad for the "good" kids who get put in the less-phenominal class. Two years ago, I was teaching the same course as a first year teacher. He had two classes... one with 18 students and one with 19 students. I had two classes of the same level... one with 28 students and the other with 32 students. Then two of his students started misbehaving in his class so they got moved to my already-crowded class [:o] (where, I might add, they were not a problem [;)]) When the average time a new teacher spends in teaching is only 3 years, schools do what they can to hold onto their staff. That may not be what is happening in your case, but it is a possibility...

On the other hand, I've seen first year teachers who were named "teacher of the year" by their districts, so this new teacher might be amazing [:)] New teachers are often less cynical, less jaded and less burned out than veteran teachers [8D]



TeachingforHim -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 6:03:31 PM)

I'm sorry that you didn't get the teacher you wanted for your ds. It's nice to hear how the other side deals with this as I'm a teacher without children in school so I don't know what it's like for you, but it's good to hear. I teach in a Christian school that often has split grades. When we have to split a class (ex. 1/2 and 2/3) we have a set of criteria that we look at. 1. Relatives 2. Exceptionalities 3. Gender 4. Compatability (children who do/don't work well together) 5. Requests. This year when we did our splits after dealing with the first 4 criteria we didn't have the option of dealing with any requests which was disappointing for us as a staff and hard on parents as well.



csl7037 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 7:22:31 PM)

Thanks, TeachingforHim. At the end of last year, I emailed the principal, wrote it on the registration forms, and talked to both 2nd grade teachers (the two I wanted but didn't get either). The principal personally called my friend to tell her about the new teacher - and then her son didn't even get put into that class! I don't understand that. If my request really just couldn't be accommodated, I understand but would really have liked a call or just a quick email...maybe a heads up before some person I'd never heard of called to say she's he's teacher. Don't 'cha think?

I feel like, for a second year, my request was just blown off and ignored. I'm just believing God for a fabulous year for ds. But ds never bonded with his teacher last year; their personalities just didn't click. He is a sweet, easy going kid, and it wasn't a huge problem but it wasn't great. I just can't believe they really had the judgement to put him in the best class for him based on what his 1st grade teacher knows of him and maybe what they all know of his older sister and myself even. I'm going to believe that God's hand was in this placement because I don't think there was any great wisdom or insight on the part of those doing the assigning. I gotta just let it go.

We went to a playdate with about 6 other boys from his class today - not one of them got this teacher, they all got the other two. That was disappointing. His two best friends aren't in his class. He has the one friend and, I guess, all girls?!?! Oh well.



coolfamily6 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 7:51:34 PM)

CSL, I got my older daughter's schedule today and am disappointed also. She is in 8th grade in all advanced classes so three classes are for high school credit. 5 of 8 eigth grade teacher's left or were promoted last year: two move, one is now V Principal, one took a position closer to home and the other was a non permanent position. Anyway, I PRAYED dd would have the Math and Science teacher that have been there for 8 year (the school is only 10 yrs old) both are the best teachers in our county. She got neiter. Actually, she got all new teachers except one. I am having to practice what I preach today and trust that God knows which classes will be best for her. It's rough.



csl7037 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 8:00:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: coolfamily6

I am having to practice what I preach today and trust that God knows which classes will be best for her. It's rough.


That's all we can do - maybe that's what He's got us here for. [&:]

Even if those aren't all the classes God knows would be "best" (to our understanding) for her, I think we can just cover them (our kids and their teachers) in prayer all year and believe for great blessings in it even if the assignment is less than ideal.



SweetPea213 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 11:38:18 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: csl7037

quote:

ORIGINAL: twoboys
I think the beginning of the school year is harder on us than them! :)


This is so true!!!

With the registration paperwork, I wrote a note and said that I'd love to have the teacher dd had two years ago but that, for ds, I'd really love to have the other teacher based on his personality and hers. So I requested A or B and got C! I know the answer and the explanation I'll get if I were to go to the principal about it. And I know they take a lot of things into consideration. The 2nd grade assignments are primarily made by the 1st grade teachers. I just don't think his 1st grade teacher really knows him that well. Maybe that's silly, she was his teacher a whole year. I guess I just don't think she and I think the same way about ds or in general. He's my baby; maybe that's my problem.


Is the note a good idea? I could put it with a small gift/token (small plant?) to make it seem less of a issue-addressing note and more of a welcome/have a great year note/gift. Would that totally seem like sucking up?


I think you're making way too big of a deal out of this. As long as the teacher loves his/her students, doesn't abuse them, intentionally give the class work that's too challenging for their needs (ex: a 2nd grader trying to do 12th grade work) and doesn't do anything inappropriate in class--then what's the big deal?!

And if you're that ridiculously petty about not getting a certain teacher, then here's an idea: pull your child out of this horrific educational enviroment to homeschool him and teach your son yourself?

I added the bold emphasis to a particular sentence in your post, because it seems to prove my theory (or opinion):

Parents are never capable of being objective when it comes to their own children.



Jenny-Fair -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/13/2008 11:59:07 PM)

quote:

Parents are never capable of being objective when it comes to their own children.

And that's a good thing!



garsyt -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/14/2008 12:06:37 AM)

Sweetpea - Many of us parents spend PLENTY of time in the schools our children attend as volunteers and we get a pretty good idea of who will or will not challenge our children, who will or will not provide OUR children with what they need to have not just a good year but an excellent year. Teachers, like their students have personalities and faults and those will NOT always jive with each other and it could cause problems in the classroom. My eldest went through this sort of think with his algebra teacher in 7th grade. I'm certain she was likely a very good teacher but she and my son just simply never got along. She refused to answer questions or provide my child with the assistance he needed from her. Now I don't know if any other parents or kids had my experience with this teacher but I KNOW if it weren't for our neighbor that taught high school math up until this year, he would not of passed that class. The following year he had an excellent teacher for geometry but he still didn't do as well as expected but I can't fault the teacher because she was ALWAYS willing to work with my son and they actually had a great respect for each other.

Now in csl's case she simply doesn't know the teacher at all as she is new - this could end up being a great year for her child, BUT when a school district specifically ASKS for parental input as to what is best for the child and it seems that that input is completely ignored - I do think a parent is not being petty at all!

Parents might not be capable of being objective - but that doesn't mean we don't have a clue about what is best for our children.

Blessings,

Garsy



csl7037 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/14/2008 6:56:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: garsyt
Now in csl's case she simply doesn't know the teacher at all as she is new - this could end up being a great year for her child, BUT when a school district specifically ASKS for parental input as to what is best for the child and it seems that that input is completely ignored - I do think a parent is not being petty at all!

Parents might not be capable of being objective - but that doesn't mean we don't have a clue about what is best for our children.

Blessings,

Garsy


Thanks, Garsy. When I saw that there were new posts and, before I opened the thread, noticed that you'd posted last, I started reading SweetPea's post and thought it was from you! Blew me away - that would've been quite out of character (and might've hurt my feelings if it was you).

I mentioned somewhere my concern also comes from thinking that my ds's first grade teacher really didn't know him that well at all, they never clicked. This is why I really want him to have a great year - 2nd grade's the last year for FUN, they crank it up a notch in 3rd, we found with dd this year. But that was also a concern because it's the team of first grade teachers who do the placement for second - none of them know him very well. So I communicated to several people input that was very important to me and it was, seemingly, ignored.

I'm praying that this new teacher is going to be the saving grace and I'm thankful we didn't get the teacher that retired. I would be so upset right now!



csl7037 -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/14/2008 7:33:08 AM)

I hate to belabor this - thanks for hanging in there with me and walking me through this thought/adjustment process.

It just occurs to me that I went way above and beyond as a 2nd grade HRMom two years ago with dh. When the new teacher called me she asked, first thing, if I'd be her room mom. I wonder if they put me with her and told her to ask me on purpose. I'm coordinating volunteers for the PTA Board this year, though, so I've actually encouraged Board members not to take these big jobs but to wait and see what needs are not filled in the classrooms (but also to avoid Board members overcommitting). So I told her I couldn't but I'd help with anything and everything she needed. I just want someone else to be the one coordinating those activities. She was going to ask ds' friend's mom - the only other person we know of in the class. There are so many great volunteers in this school; I hope she and I aren't the best ones she got! We'll see tomorrow.

I'm going to throw myself into helping her and praying for her. It'll be good.

Thanks again.



iluvatar -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/14/2008 8:45:36 AM)

FWIW, I barely remember anything about any of my elementary school teachers - half of them I can't remember their names.

My point: I doubt a 2nd grade teacher is going to ruin your son for life. Another way to look at it is that she's new, and therefore less likely to be cynical and jaded. She still likes her job.

-Dan.



garsyt -> RE: Disappointed with teacher assignment (8/14/2008 9:20:05 AM)

On the other hand Dan, I can remember most of my teachers from elementary school - especially the really good ones that made a difference. There are just certain teachers that you know really care and LOVE what they do.

So while a 2nd grade teacher might not ruin a child for life - it could make a serious difference between having a child that is excited about learning and school and having one that dreads getting up in the morning.

Blessings,

Garsy



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