This is the time of year when parents start thinking about which teacher they would like (or not like) their child to have next year. Some cross their fingers and hope, some make an appointment to discuss the situation with this year’s teacher or the school principal, and a few wait until the class lists are revealed and then - depending on whether or not they get their wish - make their move.
What happens when parents demand a change after the class rolls are posted? A.) It’s no big deal, B.) The principal agrees to make the changes but he is annoyed, or C.) He refuses to make changes and the parents are angry about it. Hint: Don’t count on “A” happening easily.
Before you head for the principal’s office, it’s far more productive to scrap the “scream and demand” option and really consider whether or not you really need to request a particular teacher for next year.
Principals spend a great deal of time preparing class lists. They consider each child’s personality and individual needs. They try to divide the children up so that each classroom has approximately the same number of high, middle, and lower performing students, the same number of behaviorally challenged kids, and a near-equal number of boys and girls. They try to avoid putting twins or first cousins in the same room, as well as any kids who may have had trouble getting along with each other in the past. It’s a tough job. But it is usually accomplished with few problems.
Most students, in fact, do not need to have (or avoid) having one particular teacher. Why? Because...
- An ineffective teacher for one student can be highly effective with another.
- E very teacher has at least one area of strength or expertise. Most have several.
- Most kids will adapt to any teacher if the parent supports that teacher.
- The most popular teacher is not always the best teacher, and the least popular is not always the worst teacher.
- No matter how unpopular a teacher is, he is probably not incompetent. If he were, he would already have been relieved of his duties.
Of course not every kid fits the “bring-it-on, I-can-handle-it” mold. Children who (due to disposition or personality traits) do not bond easily or adapt to certain personality types, are the ones who may need some advance parental input for determining next year’s teacher. If your child is in this category you may want to discuss the situation with the next year’s principal now.
In order to secure the best possible teacher for your child’s individual needs, you should be prepared to share information on the following points:
- What type of discipline does or does not work with your child?
- Does your child accept good-natured teasing, or is he repelled by it?
- Is she frightened by whole-class behavior modification (e.g. fanny-chewing) lessons?
- Will he tolerate an appropriate touch of encouragement, or does he prefer a hands-off teacher?
- How does she respond to verbal praise? (This kind of reinforcement embarrasses some kids.)
- Is he okay with loose-structured scheduling, or does he do best with a stringent routine?
Highly effective teachers vary greatly in these areas. When a parent is aware of a particular personality type or teaching style that his child thrives under (or a style that inhibits learning), he needs to share that information with the building principal.
There are two more situations when a request for a special class placement is appropriate. If a parent has had an unpleasant relationship or unresolved problem with next year’s possible teacher, he needs to make the principal aware of it now. It is to everyone’s advantage to avoid situations that have little chance of succeeding. Secondly, if there is “bad blood” between a child and a same-grade neighbor, cousin, or whomever, they should not be placed in the same classroom – if it can be avoided.
If you do decide to talk to your principal about next year’s teacher, make an appointment to meet with the principal in his office and take a written list of concerns and/or recommendations with you. If possible, concentrate on the type of teacher your child needs, rather than on one individual whom you do or do not want. And one more thing—leave your Big Stick at home. You’ll catch more flies with honey than you will with vinegar. Good luck.
Jacquie McTaggart has 42 years’ teaching experience. For more “Teacher to Parent” ideas, visit Jacquie McTaggart’s web site at www.theteachersdesk.com.
