New teacher-not thrilled

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
New teacher-not thrilled
7
Sun, 09-16-2007 - 11:47am

Ok, this is more a school question than a kid question, but I'm not sure who else to ask! (But it's definately a

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 09-16-2007 - 2:01pm

Going to the principal first without talking to the teacher is going outside of the 'chain of command'. Its a done deal but I would always go to the teacher first in the future

Specifically, what is the problem? Too much homework? Not enough? No experiments? Seems like review? Reads from the text?

I think that yes, you should meet with the teacher and share your concerns with the other parents in attendance to reduce chances of repercussions. She deserves a change to explain her curriculum and philosophy

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2004
Sun, 09-16-2007 - 2:57pm

There are important details missing from your post. Granted, you acknowledge this was a raving rambling post, yet I'm confused what the problem is.


You say you are very unhappy with the new science teacher. Why? Because he's new? Because he's not the dynamic inspirational previous teacher? Because science is no longer your sons favorite subject?


It reads like you are primarily afraid of your sons state science test and Stanford scores, without any substance

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2007
Sun, 09-16-2007 - 3:00pm

Our experience in a small christian school was the same and in the 9th grade when we had very inexperienced teachers and a Head Master who said, The teachers are fine it is your childs problem.....we realized that in this atmosphere, no one really holds the admin and teachers accountable.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-07-2007
Sun, 09-16-2007 - 4:00pm

For the person who asked, my biggest concern is my son's dwindling interest in science.

Avatar for weberdns0
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2000
Sun, 09-16-2007 - 4:45pm

I have read all of your posts, and feel that you need to talk to the teacher first about your concerns.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 09-16-2007 - 4:49pm

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It is always intimidating when there are less of you than them!

Not trying to make it sound like a war but, with a special ed kid, I know what it was like walking into that first IEP with little ole me and 4 or 5 of THEM-LOL.

Even one other parent with similar questions would make a huge difference and not come across as a posse

The points that jumped at me was the lack of handouts-sounds easily fixable to me. The time factor is a good point

Number of hands on experiments is a good question. Does she have plans for more in the future? Is this her preference? Its different and you would like to understand

Going to lecture based may not be a bad idea with high school looming.

There may be some 'we are doing this to ready them for high school' going on

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-30-2007
Sun, 09-16-2007 - 5:52pm

I've got to say you are right to be concerned. At this age, one year CAN make a difference. My daughter is highly gifted in Math and Science, and in 8th grade was put in an Algebra class with a teacher that spoke with a heavy Korean accent. DD had a diagnosis of CAPD, and she could NOT understand this teacher. We eventually had to move her back to the enriched math class which was taught by, you guessed it, the SAME teacher. She wound up with a D in math, and a conviction that she is not good in math! A gifted science teacher she hated didn't do her any favors in that subject either. The teacher, a woman,