what to choose for my pre-1A son?

amother

Wed, May 10 2006, 11:24 pm

The coming year, my son is going to be in pre 1A , it's my first son... I already ask to the principal to put him in the class of 2 good teachers (his choice),now, should I more invest myself looking into which teacher is the best ? or where his friends are going to be? do you have any experience in that?
Thank you in advance!
Confused

Mommy912

Wed, May 10 2006, 11:44 pm

Do you mean that the principle picked the better teacher and you want to make sure that it is the best?
Regarding friends: most little boys, unless they are very shy, usually make friends pretty quickly. I would go with the better teacher, rather than trying to stay with friends. I would suggest that your son have at least 1 person within walking distance to get together on Shabboss - if this is possible. If you can, maybe find out which day camp the kids from the new class go to.
Pre 1A is when they learn the ABCs and learn to read Aleph Bais - I would make sure that the teachers are experienced in this - but from your post it sounds like they are.
One more thing: you can make yourself crazy asking "shidduch-level" questions about the teacher, but in the end it is Mazal: some kids just end up doing better with one teacher or another - independent of who is known as the "better" teacher.
Just do your part by selecting a good school and trying to be involved with the teacher - give a call every month or so to find out how your son is doing.
Hatzlacha!

shopaholic

Thu, May 11 2006, 10:11 am

Actually, I disagree. Unless, you specifically have had a great experience with a teacher, you are just going by what people tell you. Then, if this teacher doesn't work out for your child, you are going to have to answer to the pricipal when he says, "But you asked for that teacher." With my kids I request that they are with their friends & then if I don't like the teacher I have a chance to complain.