To reiterate what MoN advised - you really need to know your school climate and principal's temperament. At our school it is established fact that if you request a teacher by name you are guaranteed NOT to get that teacher. If you ask to avoid a teacher by name you are guaranteed that your child WILL be assigned that teacher. Yeah - makes you feel all warm and fuzzy - huh?
If you identify a teacher you think would be good it is suggested here that you describe their teaching style or classroom environment. i.e. DD had a great, nurturing first grade teacher who used a developmental approach in her classroom. She brought her guitar to school and is married to the local park ranger. Parents are advised to say something like "My child does well with positive reinforcement and needs a warm nurturing environment. (S)he loves nature and music and would do well in a classroom that integrates these things into the curriculum."
