Advice on neighbor/teacher??

Question

My son will be starting Kindergarten this year and one of the Kindergarten teachers at his school is our neighbor. She is a nice lady and all but a busy body, very gossipy and I do not want him in her class just because I don't want her talking about my son to others etc. Just not good in my opinion. How do I go about telling the school in a polite way I do not want her as a teacher. What is the appropriate thing to say so if she find out she is not affended?? Thanks in advance.. =)

oops offended.. thanks

Answer 1

I would just state to the princial that she is a neighbor, and while she is a lovely lady, and you are sure a wonderful teacher, you would just be more comfortable is you son not had her for a teacher, she is a neighbor, and would like to keep it just so.

Answer 2

In the socialist world we all call public schools, less and less schools honor requests for placement from parents. They claim it is so they can find the most appropriate match for your child but it is really to simplify the overwhelming task of placing children. Each class is a balance of overachievers, average and underachievers. They do this intentionally. The kids who excel motivate the others and can do some work independently while the tacher can focus extra time on those who struggle.
It is easier to make those placements if they are not foolong with a list of requests from parents who want little Suzy to be away from little Johnny. I'm sorry to say it but it is true.
Now, teachers do have the ability to make suggestions for placement. Sometimes they are honored, sometimes not. As a teacher, I would have some concerns of my own about having a neighbor child in my classroom. To begin, the child may feel that they have a comfort level with me that they would not respect my authority in the classroom. Also, if I should have a discipline issue with that child as a result, it would be difficult to address this with the parents without causing some tension. If the child requires remedial help, would my neighbors blame my qualifications or expect special tutoring on my personal time? If they had a question on homework, would they knock on my door at 8 pm? What if he does great? Then others would doubt his intelligence and wonder what special treatment he receieved.
I would not want the headache or the hassle involved. Your neighbor probably doesn't either! People talk, it is normal. Teachers are stuck in a room ith 20+ children all day long. When they get to be with other grown ups, they talk --- usually comparing stories from the trenches, both good and bad. They do it for support and guidance mostly. No matter who your child gets, someone will be talking about him at some point ... probably over a bottled water and a sack lunch.
Talk to your neighbor, tell her what a bad idea it would be ... she will robably be relieved and agree with you. Tell her that she does not need to be nice about it, you don't mean it personally and you don't take it personally that you endorse him having someone else. Once you two clear the air, she will probably be able to make the assignment easier. Teachers and principals can be understanding. (At least we do our best in the confines of the systems we find ourselves in.)
Best of Luck! Don't loose sleep over it, worst case ... he gets her. Then you can knock on her door to explain homework at 8pm on a Sunday night! :))

Answer 3

Set up an appointment with the principal and say you do not wish to place in the situation where he may find it difficult to fit into the school program. He may feel confused treating the neighbour as a neighbour and as his teacher,two very different roles which may put the child at odds.State that even though the teacher is a good neighbour you want your son to experience all the new situations of school including the new teacher. Meeting and accepting the teacher is an important aspect of education for it sets the groundwork for future years.

Answer 4

I believe that your concern is completely valid and that you should have a say to who will be educating your child (especially in the early years).

My advice is for you to approach the headmaster and express your concerns. They should understand your concern and if it is still a few months before the term, it should not be a problem transferring your son to another section. I am quite sure that they will be discreet about this issue and if they do inform the Teacher about your concern, they will say it in a very tactful manner.

If the Teacher finds out and does feel offended, just let it pass. I think you would sleep better knowing that your son is in good hands rather than having a neighbor upset with you...

Answer 5

Go to your principal and talk with him/her. Explain that the kindergarten teacher is a neighbor and you feel that your child is too comfortable with her and will not see her as a teacher. Find out what kind of teacher she is..........then tell the principal that your child will need the opposite kind of teacher. Example, if she is very structured - say you child needs a less structured environment, vice-versa. Ask if you need to put it in writing and ask if this can be kept confidentioal since she is your neighbor.

Answer 6

Call the school and ask them how they determine which teacher gets which student and ask if you can request wither, or not, your son has a certain teacher. If they want to know why, or if your neighbor finds out you didn't want your son in her class explain that being a neighbor you felt your son might be to familiar and even though you know she would be fair and equal other parents MIGHT feel she was playing favorites if they found out you lived next door and thought it might be an uncomfortable situation.

Answer 7

Ask the Principal to place your child in another teacher's class so that the neighbor won't have a perceived conflict of interest in the grading of your child and that you don't wish for this teacher to be caught in this problem. That way if your neighbor should hear about your trip to the principle you have a cover story that is true and believable.

Answer 8

Go and talk with the principle at your school. Explain that the teacher is a neighbor, that you like her but would prefer that your child is assigned to a different teacher. Also ask that the principle be discreet about it that you wouldn't want to hurt the neighbor's feelings.

They should honor your request.

Answer 9

I hate to tell you this...but my experience with teachers,having several in my family and many friends who took up the profession, they tend to talk about their students and others..and the schools seem to become a little community in itself.... ......so, even if you request another teacher just bare this in mind.. they all talk...that is the way of it... maybe it might not be so bad having your neighbor as a teacher ....at least you do personally know her and you might be able to communicate with her better than anothers...


if you still feel it would be best for him to have another teacher...you could tell your neighbor in advance that you plan to request someone other than her..on the grounds that he might be to familar with her and you believe he would do better with someone less known to him.....in other words, maybe your afraid he might not mind her as well since he already knows her...something like that........

Answer 10

You can go in to the school and request one of the other Kindergarten teachers. You can explain(if necessary) that you really wanted Mrs. so and so and that way you dont have to explain why you dont want the woman you know.