How important is the teacher?

[mamatoady]

WHAT WOULD YOU DO? if you have a comment or thought, please post!

I have 2 choices for kindergarten for my dd, who will be 5 in August (I plan on doing one, but haven't decided which)

option 1: send her to K 2.5 days a week (two fulls days 8-3, and one full day every other FRI at the school within walking distance. In my opinion the school lacks in EVERYTHING including a fabulous kindergarten teacher. She's ok, but not very loving and doesn't even seem fun. The school is very small (30 kids per grad class) and doesn't have much opportunity.

option 2: send her to K 4 full days a week at a school 8 miles away. The school seems pretty nice for a rural school, 3 choices of k-teachers--all who seemed great....minuses include the 4 long days (seems like a lot for my dd, who hasn't ever even done preschool for more than 1 month) and the drive in the winter (big hill-scary for mama).

really the biggest issue for me is yucky school, better schedule vs. good school, yucky schedule

I really don't want to put her in something only to take her out. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
SARAH

[Terabith]

The teacher is EVERYTHING at all elementary grades (and almost everything in middle, high school, and college). Definitely go with the second option.

[Lingmom]

I agree - what matters is the teacher-- and your daughter may surprise you with her readiness to start school full-time.

On the other hand, if you're choosing a school based on the teacher, you're set for the year... but you may find you're dissapointed when first grade comes and you don't like the teacher.

At the same time, if you're choosing your school based on the schedule, you'll probably find that the first grade schedules are both full-day and it won't matter.

The only thing that won't change is the location, so keep that in mind if you're really nervous about the drive.

Still... I'd check out the first grade teachers but lean towards the school that made me feel the most comfortable.

[shelbean91]

Better teacher, hands down. The first few weeks will be rough, but my dd had a hard time adjusting to all day 1st grade from 1/2 day k. Once she got used to her teacher, the schedule, etc., she did great. And, you're having her in school full days with either option, I think the continuity of 4 days in a row is better than 2 days one week, 3 days the next.

[mata]

I would definitely, definitely focus on finding the most caring, nurturing teacher possible for kindergarten. My dd had a challenging kindergarten year and it was because the teacher wasn't very skilled with handling behavioral and discipline issues. Like she wouldn't redirect children who were being unkind, etc.

My dd has a great first grade teacher this year-it makes a world of difference.
And she went to half day kindergarten-she didn't even notice the change to full days when she entered first grade.

[mamaley]

Better teacher, definitely. My son was lucky enough to get an outstanding teacher this year, and it taught me how important it is. He loves school, is doing well, and his teacher completely respects where each child is developmentally and does not expect them all to be on the same page academically.

[DoulaClara]

Better teacher (says this K teacher! ) The first impressions your child makes about what "school" is are going to be what she uses to face each and every other school situation. The better teacher will have this firmly rooted in his/her brain, and strive to make that first school impression a lasting one.

Clara

[Cranberry]

Originally Posted by Terabith

The teacher is EVERYTHING at all elementary grades (and almost everything in middle, high school, and college). Definitely go with the second option.

:

[Thalia the Muse]

Yeah, some of the greatest parts of my childhood and adolescence came from inspiring teachers. I've gotta go with the teacher. A short kindergarten week that she doesn't enjoy because the teacher sucks is MUCH worse than a longer week with a great teacher who makes kindergarten fun and inspiring.

[sarahmae1]

I agree, a good teacher is much more important! I still remember my K and 1st grade teacher - she was wonderful! My mom agrees, she remembers me and my brother having some good and some crappy teachers and it really does make a difference.

I had a similar problem last spring, and I picked the crappy school with the great teacher over the good school with the okay teacher.

[Flor]

In general, I'd say teachers, but both kids have suprised me at times and have really bonded with and loved a teacher that I thought was just so-so. I guess I'd look down the road a couple of years since I think it is important to stay at the same school for a couple of years. Once kindy is past, will you still want your child at this school?

[the_lissa]

Definitely teacher. I think I voted for the wrong one acicdentally though.

[GearGirl]

The teacher is more important than you could ever imagine!

[jkpmomtoboys]

The teacher is everything in the elementary grades.

[bdavis337]

Teacher. It's alllll about the teacher in kindergarten!

[LiamnEmma]

Another vote for teacher. Just watching my dd literally quiver with excitement, unable to form a word when she sees her teacher outside of school, makes me know how very much it means to have a teacher who loves you and you love back. I can imagine what she'd feel like if she had a less than loving teacher, because I watched ds suffer through it last school year. This year he is agog with love for school again and it changes everything.

[Liz]

Originally Posted by Flor

In general, I'd say teachers, but both kids have suprised me at times and have really bonded with and loved a teacher that I thought was just so-so. I guess I'd look down the road a couple of years since I think it is important to stay at the same school for a couple of years. Once kindy is past, will you still want your child at this school?

This has been my experience, as well. DH and I don't like his current teacher but DS sticks up for her - "She's NOT a stick in the mud, Mummy!" Also. although the first teacher is your big worry now, you should look ahead at the other teachers. Grade 1 is the one who's going to teach him to read, for instance, so that's an important one, as well.

And a vote for small schools! They may get less "stuff" but they make up for it in community. Every teacher at my son's school knows his name and he's only in grade 1! I'm amazed at how many kids he knows in the older grades, too. Studies have shown that small schools are better at delivering a quality education.

BUT in the end it's your gut you should follow and it sounds like your gut says go with the far away school. Good luck whatever you do!

Liz

[USAmma]

I still remember my teachers, good and bad, from K on up. Some of them I truly loved and still have great memories, and others I would get knots in my stomach when I woke up on a school day. My daughter adores her teacher and she's just the greatest teacher ever. It's worth the drive (charter school, no bus).

My dd was also a child who would do better in mornings, and in afternoons she still sometimes naps at age 6. I was unsure about full day K. This school gave a choice to take the child home at lunch or let them stay all day. My dd wanted to stay all day and she's fine at school. She still crashes on the way home about half the time.

[kofduke]

Better teacher. And 4 full days still gives you that extra day!