can't catch a break...or can I?

[Rose-Roget]

Just read in the district newsletter that ds's teacher (he's in grade 1 of lower el in a public Montessori program) is resigning at the end of the year. While this provides the opportunity for someone more authentically Montessori minded to step in, it also provides the opportunity for someone less so or who will not work with us at all. Also means he has to transition again - something we were trying to avoid being a slow to transition, hard to read kind of kid.

I don't know. Part of me wants to go evaluate other classrooms in the district and ask for a specific transfer at the end of the year. *sigh*

[sapphire_chan]

I'd first find out what I can about the new teacher and see if you can convince the school to let your ds meet her before school starts next fall.

[kittykat2481]

Since, no matter how you slice it, he has to transition to a new teacher next year, why don't you do some investigating into the other teachers in his school and request a transfer into one of those classes next year. And if worse comes to worse, you have a chance that the new teacher will be great. I wouldn't go switching his school, especially if you can get a classroom transfer.

[BCFD]

Uggh...you poor thing (and DS!). I would probably just ask for a new teacher, too. I always say at least they are working with the Montessori material even if there are public school ickyness written all over it.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by kittykat2481

Since, no matter how you slice it, he has to transition to a new teacher next year, why don't you do some investigating into the other teachers in his school and request a transfer into one of those classes next year. And if worse comes to worse, you have a chance that the new teacher will be great. I wouldn't go switching his school, especially if you can get a classroom transfer.

My only thought is that with the new teacher the kids and classroom would be the same. That's why it'd be worth finding out if the new teacher would work.

Of course there are benefits to an established classroom, so it'd depend on the kid what works best.

[kittykat2481]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

My only thought is that with the new teacher the kids and classroom would be the same. That's why it'd be worth finding out if the new teacher would work.

Of course there are benefits to an established classroom, so it'd depend on the kid what works best.

This is true. Of course while staying in the class would mean eliminating one transition, it also means staying in a class that's not at all normalized. Does he know any children from the other classes from recess, gym class, lunch, etc? If he already has a couple of friends that might help a transition to a new class. You're right though, it really does depend on the ability of the particular child to make transitions.

My final thought is that I struggled with the decision the move my own ds to a new school this year. In the end it became clear that a few weeks of transition would be worth it to find a class that would suit him best for the next 3 years.

[Rose-Roget]

I'll investigate all options (again! I thought I was done with this stress for a while!) thoughout the year. How does one go about investigating the teachers in a school? They don't really allow observations, except that I will probably be able to ask for one in my ds's classroom. Unfortunately, I don't think he knows any kids from other classrooms. He's never talked about them.

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by Rose-Roget

I'll investigate all options (again! I thought I was done with this stress for a while!) thoughout the year. How does one go about investigating the teachers in a school? They don't really allow observations, except that I will probably be able to ask for one in my ds's classroom. Unfortunately, I don't think he knows any kids from other classrooms. He's never talked about them.

Well drat. Have you tried "I will need to observe the other classrooms or pull my child and related funding from your school"?

I just find it so utterly bizarre that there's no observations, even through the door or something.

In a normalized classroom, a quiet observer shouldn't disrupt things. I mean, if you were going to bring in something exciting like a toddler, then I could see an observation complete messing up the work cycle.

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

I just find it so utterly bizarre that there's no observations, even through the door or something.

:

That alone would cause me to stick my big old mama bear head in the door and cause my own observation.

[Rose-Roget]

I've decided I'm going to just "push" in if I have to. I asked to volunteer for the Halloween party and didn't receive a reply. It turns out, the teacher isn't even going to be there. She's taking another personal day to go to her son's preschool class. I have the impression she's already "checked out," because she's missed quite a few days already - for her son, for continuing education (I'm guessing not Montessori), for illness... - leaving them with non-Montessori subs who are evidently unresponsive to the kids requests.

I met another mom in the class the other day. She said she almost moved her daughter out last year because of the "chaos" in the classroom that the other classrooms didnt' have.

I think I am also going to approach the assistant principal about my concerns for the next teacher - that ds, maybe even more that some, needs consistency, structure, and calm. I really think this particular classroom is not conducive to his learning, and I REALLY hope the next teacher can pull it together.

[Aliyahsmommy]

Originally Posted by Rose-Roget

I've decided I'm going to just "push" in if I have to. I asked to volunteer for the Halloween party and didn't receive a reply. It turns out, the teacher isn't even going to be there. She's taking another personal day to go to her son's preschool class. I have the impression she's already "checked out," because she's missed quite a few days already - for her son, for continuing education (I'm guessing not Montessori), for illness... - leaving them with non-Montessori subs who are evidently unresponsive to the kids requests.

I met another mom in the class the other day. She said she almost moved her daughter out last year because of the "chaos" in the classroom that the other classrooms didnt' have.

I think I am also going to approach the assistant principal about my concerns for the next teacher - that ds, maybe even more that some, needs consistency, structure, and calm. I really think this particular classroom is not conducive to his learning, and I REALLY hope the next teacher can pull it together.

Non Montessori subs...yuck! Definitely not healthy for the montessori environment IMO.

[Rose-Roget]

Originally Posted by Aliyahsmommy

Non Montessori subs...yuck! Definitely not healthy for the montessori environment IMO.

I do have to say that when I came for the Halloween party, there was a sub (teacher went to her son's party instead of staying with the class) who was a retired M teacher from the school. I arrived a few minutes early , and the class was silent - everyone doing exactly what they needed to be doing. Now, I have nothing to compare to, since I haven't made it in to observe yet, but that was impressive. Of course, what they were all doing was silent reading, rather than individual works, but at least I didn't see chaos or fooling around, and reading is good. That sub had things in line. She was kind, orderly, and could command a room gently. As far as I know, this was the first time he'd had her as a sub, but I hope she comes back.

[BCFD]

Originally Posted by Rose-Roget

She was kind, orderly, and could command a room gently. As far as I know, this was the first time he'd had her as a sub, but I hope she comes back.

Love that part. It made me smile!

[Rose-Roget]

Originally Posted by BCFD

Love that part. It made me smile!

Thanks! I totally agree. I even heard myself mutter, "I wish she could be here every day!" But then I hoped that nobody was listening - don't want to make enemies.

Have my first Montessori PTO next week. Don't know quite what to expect. The topic is The Prepared Environment.

[BCFD]

Ohhh....keep us posted on the PTO meeting!