Our district accepts teacher requests. There is a form in the office to fill out and it just needs to be turned in by a certain date. So it is no big deal. Most parents don't request (maybe 5 out of the 100 kids request) so those of us who do request get who we want. I am sure that in many more affluent districts most parents would request and it might be very hard to meet everyone's desires, but that is not our demographic.
I would often observe teachers and then ask DS's current teacher who she recommends as a good fit for DS.
I'm not sure if this helps. I guess we've been lucky to have an accomodating district.
