Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion How do I avoid a certain teacher?

This isn't really about being gifted, but there is one 5th grade teacher I want to avoid. Both my older girls had this teacher, while this teacher is a wonderful, kind person, the teacher is not...a good teacher.

Maybe I can say we'd just like to mix it up a bit, or maybe DD9 clued me in to a strategy. She thinks I might homeschool her if she gets this teacher. Not that I would, but DH thought it might be good to "threaten" withdrawal/homeschooling as a way to avoid this classroom.

Our school allows parents to ask their child not be placed with a teacher if an older child in the same family had that teacher. We cannot, however, request a particular teacher.

If that's not your school policy, we've had good luck getting the right teacher match by sending a letter describing what my child needs in a teacher. I make certain my letter describes the teacher that I feel is the best match without actually naming the teacher.

My last letter requested a teacher able to differentiate for both strengths and weaknesses and a love and depth of knowledge in science and social studies. By reputation, that ought to describe one teacher pretty clearly, and suggest that one teacher is a particularly poor match.

Another technique I've seen work has been to say, "My child works best with a teacher who [has all these specific qualities that the teacher you don't want doesn't have] or tends to clash with people who [have the same qualities as the teacher you don't want]."

Do you have a good relationship with his current teacher? The principal? A GT or resource teacher? At my kids elementary schools while you couldn't officially request a teacher it wasn't unusual for parents to informally talk with their current teacher about placement wishes for the next year. Keeping it about teaching style, and student-teacher match is usually the best approach. This didn't always work, and but the teachers did have a say in who the student was assigned the next year.

The school district we're in doesn't advertise that parents can request specific teachers, however, I've yet to hear one request be denied

We've always worded our requests as lilmisssunshine suggests, simply stating that our child works best with a teacher who has X qualities, Y background, Z demeanor and so we think teacher A is the best pairing if it's possible.

Our school you can request a certain teacher (though it is not guaranteed) but I think it would be a bit unwise to ask to not have a certain teacher. Last year I listed all the teachers I was OK with. Next year I will be in a similar situation to you with my youngest and I will go to extreme measures if the normal channels don't work.

But in your case I would try just asking if your child could have someone different because they felt like they were always being compared to their sisters or because your previous experience tells you it wouldn't be a good fit.

Generally speaking, school staff avoids parent confrontation whenever possible, so if there are reasonable means to accommodate, there isn't any reason for them not to do so, however, again, if they do, I'd suggest not advertising it as you likely won't make any friends with the school by doing so.

Thanks for the responses. I realize that I can't just say I don't want a certain teacher. We have a good relationship with her current teacher, so maybe I'll start there. The principal takes herself way too seriously for elementary school. HS principal is far more chill. Not really worried about burning bridges because this is last kid, last year of elementary. I have been far more careful at the HS since it will be a while until youngest gets through HS.