My friends find it hard to believe, but our principal actually solicits input from parents about which classroom we’d like our children to be placed in next year. We’re to avoid requesting a teacher by name but rather we should describe our child and his/her specific learning/social needs. That information is considered as they look to form next year’s classes.
Thankfully there aren’t any teachers at our school that I don’t want to get. There are a few that I hope we get. And it mostly comes down to wanting our girls in classrooms where they can be challenged and where they continue to fall in love with learning.
It’s the Frizzle Factor. I’d love for Anna and Molly to be with quirky, eccentric teachers whose passion for learning spills out of her desk, onto the floor, and runs into the hallway. Passion like that is contagious! And I want my girls to catch it. I’m just not sure where the Mrs. Frizzles are — are they out there?
And is Mrs. Frizzle good for all kids? What are you looking for in next year’s teacher?
PS: The topic of student/teacher match is a big one, very broad and complex, spanning topics of teacher expectations
and student outcomes, classroom climate , culturally responsive teaching , and others. If this is a topic you’d like to read more about, dive in! There are plenty of really terrific resources to read.
About the Author
Along with her background as a professor, researcher, writer, and teacher, Joanne Meier is a mom. Join Joanne as she shares her experiences raising her own young readers, and guides parents and teachers on the best practices in reading.
Publication Date
April 29, 2008