OT: Former Teacher Dilemma!

[momof1princess]

a bit of background: my DD is now in 4th grade and had a wonderful teacher last year, whom i helped out 2 mornings a week. this year, my DD is in a larger class (25 kids instead of 16) b/c there are only 5-4th grade teachers as opposed to 7-3rd grade teachers. still with me? good! ok, i haven't been asked by DD's 4th grade teacher to come in and help in any way (aside from being a room mother), but i just got a phone call from her 3rd grade teacher asking for my help as many mornings a week as i can manage for the next 3-4 weeks (she's in the process of getting her phD in education and apparently has some meetings in the next month). now, normally i wouldn't hesitate to say yes, but if i commit to her, then i'll be unavailable if DD's current teacher asks for my help, and frankly, with 25 kids, i wouldn't be surprised if current teacher didn't need help. i have a couple of days to decide so i guess what i'm asking is...what would YOU do? commit to former teacher a morning or two a week and hope for the best, or politely decline in case you're needed by current teacher?

 

[ENSOCK]

if it was me, I would help the former teacher. If the current teacher did not request except for room mother than she might not want help. Some teachers prefer not to have mothers help. But at least you would still be at school if anything is needed by your dd.

 

[momof1princess]

good point! ty!

 

[Princess Roo]

I would talk to your DD's new teacher and say just about exactly what you said here. You could say that with 25 students there may be a lot of moms willing to help, but that if she needs you that she is your 1st priority, but that if she doesn't, you'd like to help the other teacher that needs it.

I know many teachers don't like the parents in the room, but I just wouldn't want your DD's teacher to think you are volunteering in another room because you don't like her, KWIM?

 

[momof1princess]

ack! i hadn't even thought about present teacher feeling snubbed-TY!

 

[daisyduck123]

Hi! 1st grade teacher here

I would go ahead & help the 3rd grade teacher.
If she has already sought you out, then she must really need the help & you must be a great parent helper!

The 4th grade teacher may never even ask.
At my school, by the 4th grade, we don't have moms helping out in the rooms on a regular basis anymore.

If the 4th grade teacher does ask for help, just tell you're free after your commitment to the other teacher is over with.

 

[momof1princess]

TY! i really do love helping out-the kids are great (well, most of them, lol) i'll be so sad next year when my DD goes to middle school!

 

[NJtoATL]

I'm in total agreement with DaisyDuck. I'm a teacher of Kindergarten students and I never ask for a room mom. I rather do it myself. Nothing against my parents. My mom raised me to be super independent. Now I teach my students how to be independent. If the new teacher needs your help she will ask. I would help the third grade teacher.

Good luck!!!

 

[Sazuburns]

I agree - by that age the children need to start learning to work more independently anyway.

Last year I worked as a Teaching Assistant with a Y4 class (8-9 year olds). Each class in our school has 30 children, and there is only a TA in the class if there are children with special educational needs, and the TA works mostly with those children. Having 'only' 25 children in the class would be a luxury for our teachers!

Sarah x

 

[momocay]

I Am Really Curious As To Why The Shool Has So Many Third Grade Teachers And So Few Fourth Grade Teachers. Would It Not Make Sense To Make Some Of The Third Grade Teachers Fourth Grade Teachers To Even Out The Class Size?

 

[momof1princess]

i would have to agree with you, momocay...the lack of teachers is only 4th grade, for some reason. all other grades (k-3rd) have enough teachers to keep the classes down to 16-17 kids. thank you for everyone's input, i really appreciate it i'm going to contact former teacher on monday and offer her a couple mornings a week.

 

[briarberry]

My guess is that your school board has to keep class size lower in the lower grades. I teach and the classes are allowed to be larger once they enter grade 4. This may be mandated by your state or school board, at least that is the way it is where I teach.

 

[tarheel618]

Third grade is also typically a big retention year for students struggling in reading. This maybe why there are so many 3rd grade teachers as well.

 

[Whosemom]

Add to all that, here in Ohio there are two different credentials, one is K-3 and the other 4-8(? I think 8). So those lovely 3rd grade teachers may not be allowed to teach 4th grade anyway.

I agree with the pp who said to be upfront with the current teacher and ask.