Andrea, you have a right to be concerned. You should not let go and you should get a handle on the facts. The question is what is really going on in the class.  Ask her teacher how things are going and how Madeline is doing.  If you know another parent or two, find out their child's perspective on what is going on in the class. I would only speak with one or two parents to minimize the "gossiping accusation". I believe getting a new teacher this early in the year is unlikely. If you are not happy with the teacher's respone, make an appt. to see the principal.

Hi,

We have an Open Door Policy and parents can pop in any time.  If you could observe for awhile, you might get a handle on this teacher.  The school Guidance Counselor can be very helpful.  I agree that you should be concerned.  We have days when we'd rather stay home than go to work and kids can experience this feeling as well.

Good luck to you and keep us up to date as to your progress.  :)

Parents do not have the "authority" to get their child a new teacher. Only a principal and/or a district and teacher may make those decisions legally. Yes the transition into second grade is difficult but the more a parent coddles, the more problems it creates for all involved. Children that young do not have a clear understanding between having earned a consequence or someone "yelling." The schools and we teachers must have rules in place for order and children are directed at specific times to use the restoom. Imagine the revolving door that is established when children are constantly going in and out of the classroom?  Yet you say you want her to be educated. We teachers are sick and tired of parents who do not have the training and licensing we have,  making rash assessments of us solely based upon what a little child says. Second graders are at a developmental age where they are unable to differentiate between liking and hating school because "like" means something they want to happen. In the beginning of the school year we must be consistent on enforcing our rules and oversensitive kids who are in a no-boundaries environment, fuss about such things as mentioned above and learn that it produces a reaction from their parent so they continue the behavior. For all such parents out there that believe they are so certain their child's teacher is "horrible", get your 4 year college degree, spend a 5th year pursuing your credential in a program the properly educates & trains teachers, and then take on that same classroom of your daughters with her and others requesting to use the restroom throughout the day and during instruction. Good luck then! Oh yes, don't forget...while all that is going on, you have to be sure you are teaching all the required state standards so you are not fired because that is the law which governs whether or not a teacher has "taught" their students.

I absolutely think that you should be concerned.  Certainly there are times when children can't be trusted to make the best decisions/judgements, but if they're uncomfortable, that should be enough to let you know there is something wrong.  

I think teachers take the idea of requesting another too personal...This isn't about the teachers and their feelings.  This is about what is best for our students.  And sometimes it isn't the teacher's fault; perhaps their style of teaching just isn't clicking w/ the student.  Whatever the reason, arguing that [the] job is difficult and stressful isn't an excuse.  Kids are difficult to deal w/ but if [the] love of teaching has brought you...far, you can't be blind-sided or offended by a parent's concern.  We're only people too....

Mom23,

I think you have every right to be concerned.  I wish more parents were involved in their child's education.  

...I think there needs to be open communication between the parent and the teacher.  Some teachers do this better than others but a parent should know what is going on in class and even what the "rules" are of the room.  Yes there are rules and I realize that, but letting children use the restroom when needed is a part of life.  You cannot schedule every trip, even adults KNOW that from experience. I think it's fairly easy to establish who abuses privileges after awhile, but even then it's hard.

I do not think teachers need to YELL.  Raising a voice for attention is one thing but I do not think a teacher needs to use yelling as a punishment tool, when there are other ways to individually deal with misbehaving such as missing part of a recess etc.  We are talking about 6 and 7 year olds who are still learning the ropes.  I am not a strong believer in punishing the group for a few who misbehave and am very glad its not that way in real life where I work, which is a university....... and we and the students are allowed to use the bathroom whenever we like :)

I dont know the answer to that question but I would like to know. You know it is soo funny that you say that because my second grader is saying the same things.... You wouldn't happen to be from Baton Rouge would you?? Today my son asked his teacher what a word was and she told him that he must have something in his eye. All the while shes helping the other students in the class. My son made As and Bs at his old school and now he somehow dosent get to finish his tests. Does anyone know if I can send my son to school with a spy cam??

She is your  daughter  and you want her  to  be happy when she goes to school.
Each teacher has a different teaching skills and each child connects with each teacher differently.If i where you i would transferr her  to a different class.

I can understand your concern.  I am going through this now.  My daughter is in the third grade this year- and loved school until this year.  I question if I should try to change a new teacher or keep her in the classroom.  My daughter will come home one day and lover her teacher- but the next day she will complain that the teacher told her she was getting on her nerves.  I have met with my daughter teacher many times and have even had my daughter in on the last one.  The teacher seems really nice and willing to help my daughter while we are meeting- but what does she do when I am not there.  What does she say to the kids.  My daughter got into trouble for talking in the bathroom.  Really?  The note said talking!  Not yelling, but talking.  As a parent there are far more other things these teachers should be looking out for.  When I met with the teacher about what she said to my daughter (about her getting on her nerves) she laughed it off.  She said she did tell my daughter that, but was only joking because my daughter kept asking her if it was time for "something"  Are you kidding me?  YOU NEVER tell any child they are getting on your nerves.  Since then I have been asking my daughter every day how her day was and exactly what happend in the class.  I have met several more times with the teacher becuase she tell me my daughter has a problem not raising her hand to be called on. I have talked to my daughter about that- but it seems like now the smallest (what I consider small) things are getting her into trouble.  TODAY she passed a note to another student to ask him to be quite.  She had already gotten into trouble for telling on other students so I guess this was her way of getting the problem taken care of.  Since she ended up in the AP office I guess that was not the right way to handle it with.  

I wish you the best of luck- and hope you can meet with the teacher to try to figure things out.  These are the most important years for the kids to learn... and if your daughter has stopped wanted to read, we have to address the teacher to see how things are going in the class.

Dear SeasonedTeacher,

You sound like you made the wrong career choice.  Shame on you for your answer.

Take the problem to the source.  if you haven't already discussed this during a regular conference time, schedule a meeting and express your concerns.  Let the teacher know what your daughter has expressed about the classroom climate.  Give her time to explain.  Your child may be very sensitive, and a little communication could smooth the path between home and school.  If the teacher is unresponsive, involve the principal or guidance counselor in a sit down session.

I just went through this same issue with my 8 yr old son.  Teacher quit communicating.  My son was stuck in a learning gap that could have easily been filled if the teacher had communicated exactly what she felt needed to be addressed.  No help from her, a very defensive principal who listens but doesn't hear what you say.  I removed my son from the school.  I couldn't stand to think that with only half a year of school left that his feelings about confidence in the teacher and trusting her to help him or at the very least tell me what I can help with would possibly set him on a course that could most likely affect him all the way through high school.  I am homeschooling.  Maybe not forever but right now, with no encouragement from the school system to do what's right, it's the only choice I have.  We cannot afford private schooling.

TO SEASONTEA:  YOU are a prime example of what is wrong with the educational system.  You should choose another career because the damage you spew to concerned parents and most likely their children as well is UNACCEPTABLE.  Congrats on your 4 yr teaching degree.  In my opinion, you wasted 4 years of your life.  Sounds like you have a high opinion of yourself as a teacher but I can tell you one thing:  without OUR children, your degree means NOTHING.  I would suggest you attend Anger Management or at the very least, RETIRE.  YOU'RE DONE!

You can't just get rid of the teacher. You need to open up the lines of communication with the teacher. You should try and schedule a conference with the teacher and then if that doesn't work, you can go to the principal. But his first instinct will not be to fire her. It doesn't work that way. You only have one side of the story, you need to give the teacher a chance to defend herself and work with her to fix any problems  that you and your daughter may be having.

I believe it is too late for a new teacher now. Encourage your daughter, 2nd grade is only for a short time, reading, a love for learning is lifetime. Tell her you are sorry that you did not step in earlier, but you will next time. Reassure her how much you love her. Find a way to confront the teacher, whether by letter, by visiting her during her planning time, or having her call you at her convenience. Without causing the teacher to be on the defensive, lay it all on the line in just the way you wrote in here.

Wow, seasond teacher. I am more strick on my son then the school systems will allow any teacher to be & I can tell you I would NEVER allow my son to be in your class. The Following may not apply to you. However I have seen time & time again teachers that have an education not use it at all. The school systems are so full of politics & it is a shame that more parents don't step up to put a stop to it. Our children should be put first. That does not mean cater to them but for a child to have to deal with a teacher that only cares about getting paid & not about the student is not right. Every student should be treated as fair & equal as posible & I know for a fact that is not alway being done. Education does not make a caring person. If I judge you base on your own statement you seem like a very cruel person, no heart & only the ability to assume it could only be the parent or child at fault if school is not enjoyable. Children know a lot more then you seem to think & my not always have the right words to say when a teacher is not doing right. They however are able to say enough for the parent & child to figure it out. I can only hope you do not teach in an elementary. This is an age were if a student is casted as not a good kid all the teachers follow & then that child never learns to trust the people in charge of teaching them. I do want to thank you though for showing your true colors on here. This should give every parent that even thought about doing something about this issue the push to follow through with it. Please parent listen to your kids & talk to the teacher. If they do not have a valid complaint then talk to your child. If you see they DO have a valid complaint then please do something about it. Don't hesitate. Sincearly, A parent that cares