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Sound It Out
Along with her background as a researcher, writer, and teacher, Joanne Meier is a mom. Join Joanne every week as she shares her experiences raising her own young readers, and guides parents and teachers on the best practices in reading.
The Frizzle factor: Teacher requests for next year
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.
Some students do better in a quieter, relaxed environment. I think it's a good experience for children to have all types of teachers. One year one of my daughters was very upset when she learned who her teacher was. She cried and begged me to talk to the principal about changing her class. Instead, I talked her into giving the class a try. She loved her teacher once she got to know her. We laugh about it today.
Posted by: Betty | May 01, 2008 04:48 PMI totally agree, Bridget. I taught with a Mrs. Frizzle when I was in my second year of teaching. As a still relatively new teacher, I was too nervous to let go that much. Looking back, I wish I had!
Posted by: Joanne | May 01, 2008 07:58 PM
Comments
When you first see the Mrs. Frizzles, you can't help but question their sanity. But after you see her students so excited about learning and really responding to the enthusiasm, you start peeking into their classrooms to see what's going on! I wouldn't steer anyone away from this kind of teacher- I only wish there were more to go around :)
Posted by: Bridget | May 01, 2008 04:42 PM