Considering a Teacher for Next Year

Parents of Elementary age students frequently ask about choosing a teacher for the upcoming school year. The fact is that very few principals will allow you to request a specific teacher. However, most will take into consideration general information you share regarding your child. Typically, you can write a letter or send an email to the principal.

Keep in mind that in, addition to complying with class size amendment, principals are tasked with balancing each classroom in terms of gender, race, academic ability, and need for exceptional education services (ESE). Some schools have “cluster” classrooms in which about a third of students are either ESE or Gifted. This practice enables schools to schedule their required ESE services more efficiently. Principals must take all these factors into account, as well as others, when forming classes.

Ten Tips for Requesting a Teacher for Next Year:

• Don’t ask for a specific teacher.

• Share whether your child does better in a learning environment that is highly structured or one that is less structured.

• Share your child’s academics strengths and struggles.

• If you have a REALLY good reason (such as a previous bad experience) you can indicate a teacher that you do NOT want your child to have.

• If you have a REALLY good reason (such as a previous bad experience) you can indicate a student that you do NOT want your child to have in his/her class.

• If your student is new to a school, be sure to indicate whether your child is an exceptional education student.

• Share any relevant medical information (ADHD, severe allergies, diabetes, etc.)

• Indicate some things that motivate your child such as praise for good work or time for drawing.

• Let the principal know if your child would be embarrassed in a classroom with a behavior chart that everyone can see. For example, many primary classrooms have a Red, Yellow, Green chart. Would your child be embarrassed if he/she has to move his/her clip to Yellow or Green?

• Make sure the principal knows if there has been a recent major life change such as a death or divorce.