Advice Needed on How to Request a Transfer to a Different Teacher

I would think this teacher would be great! He is just out of school so he would have be excited and have many wonderful ideas for his students! I have found some teachers that have been teaching for many years don't have a love for teaching anymore and just seem be there but do not want to. Why would it matter if he is married or had kids? Some people never marry or have kids. This could be his choice and it is a personal one. Don't judge his personal life. He may be the most AMAZING teacher ever. Remember that everyone has to get a start some place.

If they have a concern they should go NOW, before school starts, to the principal and ask to be switched.

As a person who has a lot of friends that are "new" teachers, right out of college, I ask you this...How are they supposed to get the experience or become "seasoned", as you put it, if kids are being transferred out of their classroom? Don't get me wrong, I do understand where you are coming from. We all have to learn somehow and need to be given that chance.
Sorry if this sounds snarky but that's how I feel.
T.

As a teacher newly out of school and unable to find a job yet, I was appalled at your friend's reasoning for transferring her daughter to another classroom. Some of the best teachers out there are new to the field. They bring new energy and new enthusiasm and new insights. Just because the gentleman is young and new does not mean he is not a great teacher! And how do we get experienced and seasoned teachers without everyone having to teach their first year? Give the young man a chance! Sit down and talk with him before the school year starts. Get to know him: ask him what his educational philosophy is and how he plans to handle classroom management, etc. If these ideas completely clash with her own values, then I can understand wanting to transfer your child. And if it comes to that, do it now-before the school starts and the hard work of transitioning into a new class begins. But until then, as I said, everyone from doctors to police officers to teachers have their first year on a job. It does not equate with poor performance.

Just because he's knew doesn't mean he's not going to be an outstanding teacher. If your friend is insistent about this tell her to go to the principal and explain her concerns and then ask for the transfer. Honestly, as a teacher and a mom, I can tell you the likelyhood of it happening is rare. Usually they only do things like this for people with some influence.

I agree with the previous post and respectfully say that just because a teacher is "new" does not make them a poor teacher. I go into a LOT of classroom and sometimes the newer teachers have newer ideas, more enthusiasm and more flexibility. Also, being, or in this case not being, a parent has absolutely NO reflection on how good of a teacher a person will be.

Also, I'm not sure how much good it will do for your friend to request a different teacher. A lot of those schools do not honor parent requests simply because they cannot. Your friend can always ask, but like I said, a lot of schools do not honor teacher requests.

I understand your friend problem being a parent myself but also going to school to be an educator I find that most teachers fresh out of college have new ideas and are not stuck into routine as more seasoned teachers.. I would suggest giving the new teacher a try(because he is not her second grade teacher) and if they do not like his teaching methods maybe consulting the principle or vice principle and explain their concerns without making it seem as if the teacher is not doing his job.

As a teacher, I can tell you some of the very BEST teachers are fresh out of college.

As a previous teacher I can tell you that many teachers do a much better job with the children than they do with the parents. Parents tend to make them (especially new ones) more nervous. She may not have seen the true him last night. Also, I would suggest that a new teacher in many cases has the benefits of excitement, new technology, more time etc. Some new teachers need the experience to get "good" others jump right in. Just becuase last year wasn't great doesn't mean this year can't be. I would give it about a month and if they are not seeing what they want schedule an appt with the teacher and gently voice their concerns to him first. They may be pleasantly surprised and not need to call this meeting.

My daughter had a new, male teacher last year for 6th grade. We loved him. Since he was just out of school, he was not burned out (didn't yell at the kids, wasn't cranky etc), and he had newer techiniques. He was also very young (probably 23) and the kids related to him better because kids of like a cool big brother. I say give him a chance. Everyone, including you and me, have had first days in our jobs. If there are problems, then address them with the principal. And be careful what you wish for. I had numerous teachers growing up who were seasoned and witnessed very bad things (yelling due to burn out, slamming down fists, even throwing a chair).

I just got through working as a teacher aide with a girl who is a brand new teacher and she was awesome! I have worked in schools for many years and some of the older teachers are burnt out and rigid. And men teachers are hard to come by, they can be fresh and fun in their own right. In my summer school classroom the biggest hit of the class was a twenty seven year old man who was loved by everyone. Why are these people asking for your advice? Did you transfer one of your children once? I transferred my child out of a school in our district once, but never from a classroom. It probably should have happened but I didn't. In this case if the only basis is that he is a young person newly graduated and possibly a he why don't you encourage these people to see if the little girl enjoys the teacher?

I don't think school systems transfer students based on a parents general request. And please keep in mind: it is extemely difficult to get a job in education right now. Schools are more selective than ever before on teachers that they hire. I don't think it's fair to assume the child will not get a good education from a new teacher. I have alot of experience, and am constantly amazed at the energy and great new ideas that new teachers bring to our school. I have seen my children get the same worksheets from the same teachers and they are 3 years apart! Sometimes older teachers are just set in their ways.

There is no reason for your friend to ask for a request, for goodness sakes she doesn't even know how this teacher will be in the classroom. Your friend should concentrate on not making assumptions and basing future decisions on facts. He may turn out to be the best teacher at the school, she needs to give him a chance, starting with changing her attitude and presenting him in a positive manner to her 3rd grader. If problems arise during the school year by all means she should contact the principal. Also, considering the job market and cutbacks at schools there were probably hundreds of applicants for this position and he was hired so he must be pretty darn good!!!

My son's kindergarten teacher was fresh out of college and I couldn't have been happier with the way my son was taught. Her fresh approach to teaching and her enthusiam gave my son a genuine love for learning. I credit a large portion of his advanced math and reading skills and abilities to this wonderful lady. On the few days he was sick during the school year he cried for hours on end because he wanted to go to school. I think your friend should definitely rethink the classroom switch and at least give this young man a chance to prove himself before making any decisions.

Honestly, unless there is a reason like special needs, there is no tactful way to request a different teacher, because you are asking for special treatment. The question then arises, what if ten other parents requested a transfer? If your friend's daughter's education actually suffers in that classroom, that is something to take up with the school, but unless there is an extremely compelling reason, schools simply can't accommodate one person's request.

Your friend needs to realize that requesting a new teacher is a big deal. If the school allows it, you have to talk to the principal and have a VALID reason for the request. I don't see "we don't want a new teacher" as a valid request. Separating your child from another child that you have had problems with in the past is considered valid.

I agree with all the other posters. The new teachers can be the best. They aren't burnt out and are full of enthusiasm. One of the more experienced teachers can be stuck with the same stuff they have been using for years.

Why not give the teacher a chance? New teachers have the most up to date information on helping children learn. Just because she had one unappealing experience with a newer teacher, does not mean she will have the same experience this time. Don't judge a book by its cover. (Isn't that we teach our children?)

In my honest opinion, I would give the teacher 2 weeks to a month to show you what he's good as a teacher. If they are still not impressed with him after the school's open house or first parent-teacher conference, then ask for the child to be transfered.

If she must transfer now, then go to the principal before classes start or as soon as possible and request the transfer. It may or may not happen in either senario, so they should be prepared for that.

You have lots of responses here but I think it is great that you are concerned for your friend and how she asks for the transfer. I think the other comments are also extremly interesting that the new teachers are the best. That has always been my experience, all the way through college that the new ones where the most engaging. If you decide to share the majority of the comments with your friend and she sees that most feel they should give the new teacher a try, maybe you could make them feel better about the situation. They seem to be very caring and on top of things in their childs education. Maybe you could suggest they check in with the teacher once in a while to keep a tab and gain some confidence about the situation they are not happy with. And if they are still not happy then they would have a bit more information to request a change. Good luck to your friends whatever they decide. V

I am contemplating the same thing! I have an ADHD child and new teachers seem to let him just slip by with little or no accountability. It is like they are afraid to discipline him and afraid to communicate with me. If I were you I would schedule a meeting with the principle of the school. Be prepared and have your request typed out with all of the reasons you think your child would benefit from a more experienced teacher, be diplomatic. In other experiences my son without ADHD had a 2nd year male teacher last year. He did better in 4th grade than he has ever done. His grades were up and he was eager to learn and go to school. So, what I am saying is that if there are no underlying issues in your child, they may not be so helpful, but if you can state your case calmly and reasonably, they will be happy to try to help you.

Good Luck!

As a teacher myself, I am appalled at your friends decision. Unless she heard bad things about a teacher, new and single male are not good reasons to want to pull a child out of his classroom. I hate to scare her, but I have met many bad veteran teachers. I also have met many new teachers would blow the veteran teachers out of the water. I have seen some new teachers that aren’t as good, but give him a chance to prove himself. Single men can be just as good as a female teacher with kids. I like the male teachers in the elementary level; I think we need more of them. I have seen some male teachers that are amazing with the young kids, much better than some of my female colleagues. Many of the male teachers seem to have more energy and spunk than some of my female colleagues that are worn out taking care of their kids at home. I am not trying to bash female teachers, but I am trying to make a point to not judge a book by it’s’ cover.

I know that in our school, counselors, teachers and staff work very carefully to assign children to specific classrooms where there will be a good balance. They will only make changes if there is a REAL reason, not just because a parent doesn't want a newer teacher. Honestly, I think your friends are being very unfair here. What if someone at their job refused to work with them because they were 'new'?

A newer teacher has the benefits of recent training, new methods and skill sets- and a lot of enthusiasm that some older teachers have definitely lost. It is prejudiced and unfair not even to give this teacher a chance.

Even if this teacher turns out NOT to be a good fit for their daughter, there are lessons to be learned from any teacher. If they try and move their daughter around just to accomidate their own wishes, they are not teaching her a realistic life lesson. In life, we get all kinds of bosses, teachers, partners, co-workers, etc. It will not prepare their child to shelter her from that. She needs to learn to do her work no matter where she is or whose class she is in.

There is a term for parents like this: helicopter parents, those who feel the need to hover over their children and micromanage every single thing related to the child's life. That is not healthy for a child whatsoever!

Just because the scenario was one way last year does that mean it will be the same way this year? The stereotyping of "right out of school, single, and with limited experience" is unfair. What if someone's experience with a sahm was that all she did was sit on the couch and feed her kids junk, and then she applied that ONE experience to ALL sahms? Are all sahms lazy? Oh most definitely not (sahm is one of the hardest jobs out there)! But is it fair to categorize one class of people based upon a single observation - most definitely not!

Even more concerning is the comment about him being single. Would the family feel the same way if the teacher were female and single...like a whole bunch of brand new female teachers are? Sounds like a little bit of prejudice to me.

The family needs to be more open-minded. I agree whole-heartedly with many of the previous responders in that they just might be surprised to find that this new teacher has fresh ideas, unbridled enthusiasm. Keep in mind that with the economy the way it is, jobs (even in education) are not as plentiful as they used to be. Sometimes hundreds of teachers are applying for one position, and this allows the school to be more choosy. If this were my child and I had reservations, I'd still have him start off the school year with the assigned teacher. Going through school is not only about academic subjects; it is also about negotiating relationships, learning how to manage conflicts, building positive relationships with teachers and learning to reach out for help and assistance when needed. If this family races in at every opportunity to 'fix' things for their child, then the child learns "mommy and daddy will do my dirty work!".

Give it a chance. It might be the best thing to ever happen to the child. Right now, the family really doesn't have a leg to stand on. "I don't like him" isn't going to cut it, and if they make a change for this child they have to do it for every child, which is not going to happen. If after a few weeks there are some serious (documentable) concerns then there is a case for a possible change.

Hi J..
As a teacher, I can tell you that the new ones are often the best because they have had the most recent training. I work with alot of "veteran" teachers, and they are so old-school. I would rather my child have a "new" one!

I don't remember a lot of teachers from school, but I do remember my 3rd grade teacher. Her name was Miss Whitehouse and she was also just out of school (22 years old), and we were her 1st class. She was young and engaging and fun to learn from.

I wouldn't lack of experience against this teacher, as he might have more energy and enthusiasm in the classroom than a seasoned teacher who may be stuck in her ways. I've heard quite a few times how teachers who have been in the classroom for a long time feel the kids have changed, are less respectful etc, and don't have any passion for the job and are just going through the motions.

The advise I'd give your friend is to not prejudge this teacher. He is not the 2nd grade teacher she wasn't happy with, and he may be more enthusiastic than the seasoned teacher with new ways to engage the children.

The family needs to check what the school policy is for changing teacher. I will be honest most schools have a very strict policies regarding switching teachers. The reason districts usually have this policy is because of just the reason you are giving for why they want to switch. Everyone would be coming in to want to change teachers every time a student or parent is not happy with a teacher. There may be some flexibility if the other class is not full with the maximum number of students but usually they say no. I know your friends think I pay my taxes and I should have some say so in what class my child is in but that is usually not the way the school districts look at this issue.
To tell you the truth sometimes it is an advantage to having a younger teacher. Students can relate to younger teachers better than older teachers. Also younger teachers have just finished their student teaching and have lots of new great ideas for doing hands on things with their students. Older teachers are more set in their ways and not open to ideas from parents.
My son had a new teacher in 4th grade and it was the best year he had in grade school. She did so many fun things with the children. They went on nature hikes, a winter sledding event up in the park, She took them to Chicago to the museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls, she had daily story time, as daily free time and so on. She had fish and other pets in the room for hands in Science. My son is now 19 years old and we still keep in contact with that teacher. She has since moved away and had 3 children but we still enjoy hearing what she is doing and she likes hearing what he is doing.
Your friend does have a couple other options and that is to home school her child or send her to a private school. Yes, Private schools cost money but it gives you an out.
I hope everything works out for your friend and her daughter has a wonderful year in school.

God Bless,
S.

Unless there is a compelling reason (not just because you think the teacher is too young) the school won't do anything. How crazy would that be if schools allowed people who "thought" they might not like a teacher to switch classes. It would be total mayhem at the beginning of the school year. I doubt the school would acquiesce to her demands. My daughters over the years have had seasoned teachers and brand-new-just-out-of-college teachers, and I would say that maybe this teacher will be the best thing for your friend's daughter and she just doesn't know it yet. We loved the younger teachers. Here's hoping she has a great school year in spite of the beginning jitters.