Hello All!

It has been a while since I have been on here ( except for a post earlier)I Love this forum! Between working, school and other health issues of mine, it hasn't been easy finding time to get on the computer. Now that things are starting to calm down, and school is almost over, YAAAYYY!!! maybe that will change! I know, it sounds weird, but I can not wait for school to be over!


Okay now to the subject at hand.....I picked up a classroom placement form at my Sons school today, and I would like some advice as to how I should word it. This is our first year at a Public school, at his previous private school, we didn't have a choice as to which teacher my Son would have the next year. I don't expect to do this every year unless I really have to, but my Son is still trying to get used this School, it's quiet different than what he is used too,but he likes it more!


This form states that there is no guarantee as to having a certain Teacher, mainly because of an effort to maintain a balanced classroom. I would really love for my Son to be in a certain teachers room next year.From what I have heard about her, I feel she would be a great Teacher for him and his adhd.

I have only met her once, when we took a tour of the School last year. She is also my Step Fathers Aunt, even though he rarely, if ever sees her, he knows alot about her,and feels that she is a great Teacher, with alot of experience. Don't get me wrong I am not wanting my Son to get her hoping for special treatment. I don't have much at all to do with my step Fathers side of the family anyways, not that they are people I don't want to associate with, it's just that I barely have time to spend with my own flesh and blood family! :)

Sorry got off track....


This form asks to fill out two things......#1... to "describe any specific learning needs /styles for consideration in the classroom placement for you child". That part isn't really too hard for me to deal with, but I want it to look/sound really,really good, after all this will be the Principal reading it. Why do I feel so intimidated?! I know I shouldn't be! He has the classic adhd symptoms...Has a hard time focusing,staying on task, easliy distracted, and worst of all , managing his time. It is on his record that he has ADHD, but I haven't sat down and talked with her face to face about it,which I'm sure will happen soon, when I try like hell to get a 504 for him. :D


Form also states....#2...I request that my child NOT be placed in the following Teachers classroom: Then below it says to "explain"


This principal knows that this is my Sons first year at this school, and we are getting to know who these Teachers are,and about the School and all, so how can I explain "why" I do not want my Son in a certain Teachers room? When the issue is I want my Son to have this one certain Teacher D*** it! :) He is also my only child, I haven't had any experiences with these Teachers like other parents might have had with another one of their children.



There are three Fourth Grade Teachers, which is the grade my Son will be in. One is Not coming back, wants to stay home with her newborn, she has a great reputation, but that doesn't mean squat to me, cause she is leaving. I have noo idea who is replacing her. Then there is this other Teacher whom I haven't heard anything good or bad about except she is really strict, which doesn't bother me, for my Son behaves well, but I have not heard nothing more about her,or if she has any experiences with adhd. All though she may have experience with children with these special needs, I have not heard or have been at this School long enough to know.

Also I have over heard/talked with a few other Parents whom have children with adhd (in different grades) that say how patient and wonderful this Teacher is, that I want for my Son. My son really needs alot of patience, especially if they are gonna drag their heels, or not offer a 504. His second grade teacher (from a private school) was a complete nightmare, no patience at all, and knew nothing about adhd.

I was so stressed last year constantly talking with her, trying to reason and work with her, that I nearly took him out. She is the main reason we switched schools, they had talked about her teaching third this year.. I said No way! Not again! Were otta here! I am much more impressed with this school, plus a private school does not have to go by a 504 plan, or follow any other type of accomodations for that matter.



He is finally getting his self esteem back from the damage she had made. This years teacher has been a dream! She is patient with my Son and says she is very pleased to have him as her student. So from past experience, I don't want my Son to go through this, especially with him still trying to get used to this school and the class room size.


I just really need some advice on this. I don't want to say " Well I have Heard, she is such a wonderful teacher!" Or give reasons as why this other teacher is wrong for my Son when I don't know myself!Its all hear say! and I guess the question I am asking is "will this Principal take into consideration on just what i have heard just on what I have heard?" I know I may not have a choice and may have to go on what I have heard, that s why I need some advice here on how I should word this. I have never been good at this kind of thing,having fear that I should have added "this" Or left out "that" especially when I feel it is so important to me! My Husband bless his heart, is of no help, he is just as bad!

Sorry so so long!!

I hope this made sense, it's nearly two in the morning! (yes I have insomnia tonight) But I'm gonna try to get some shut eye now!

ANY advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks! :)

Tracy

The best advice I can give you is to pretend you know exactly what you're talking about. ;) You can say you've been speaking with the teachers and other parents, and have learned that teacher A is a wonderful fit for your child because she understands his issues and can work with them. (Then you could elaborate on the issues he has that might make it hard for other teachers to work with him.)

You have been speaking with teachers and parents, and you very well may know as much about your son's potential teachers as most of the other parents do. So don't apologise about using "hearsay," because the other parents are doing that too! ;) Just be clear and polite, and try to elaborate on the good qualities that you know teacher A has.

Good luck!

Very sound advice, Krisp!

a teacher-friend told me she uses the following wording when requesting a teacher, "I feel that Mrs. Smith's teaching style best fits my son's learning style."

it's such a nice way of saying that you are asking for a known quantity. you *know* that the teacher you're requesting would be a good match with your son, you just aren't sure about the others -- you aren't saying that they wouldn't be a good match, just that the teacher you're requesting, in your opinion, would be the best match. you could maybe write that since you *know* that Mrs. Smith is a good fit, you feel most comfortable going into the next school year with a teacher who you know and have confidence in.

good luck!

the problem is that the way question 2 is worded! that makes it hard in a way. but, they are *not* asking you to explain what you dislike about the teacher's you *don't* want. so, i think that a broadly stated, "I do not want my child in Mrs. X, or Mr. Y's class. My son thrives in an environment where he is encouraged and nurtured, I feel that Mrs. Smith's teaching style and the learning environment she creates in her classroom fits my son's learning style."

Just came home from work, and I am happy to see these replies, you guys are the best! Its really nice to know there are others out there like you, that are going through alot of the same things.


Krisp~Yeah, I was thinking today, that I may just have to lie a little about what I "know" or to put it more nicely ...pretend :D. Sometimes, we really don't have much of a choice, do we?

I'm sure there are alot of parents that go on hearsay, probably most of them. I guess with us being new and all, and with me never volunteering, (I'm such a bad mom lol) I was afraid of the Principal wondering how we could know about these Teachers, and not take me as seriously.

But I have thought about it , and I really shouldn't care if she believes me or not, and take the chance! I just needed to hear it from you guys,and to see what another parent would do/say. and that REALLY helps!

Wheezie Your lucky to have a Teacher friend, I need to broaden my social circle and make a few, I'm sure it helps with these schools issues! :)

You worded question #2 wonderfully! I was confused and thinking "Now how am I supposed to think of a reason,or to explain why I don't want this other Teacher,I didn't wanna bash this poor lady".

I was looking at what to say about the Teacher part, and not comparing which environment would fit him best, which is putting it much more nicely. Thanks for clearing that up for me, I probably would have never thought of wording it that way!

I'm gonna fill out the form this evening, so I can get it in ASAP. I don't know when I'll know about the placement, but I'll let you guys know.


Thanks again,much appreciated!

Oh and Uh.... sorry about ANOTHER long novel!

Tracy