Writing a Good Teacher Request Letter (with Sample)
Use this sample teacher request letter as a template for your formal request letter.
Last updated on July 25th, 2022
Schools often discourage parents from requesting a specific teacher for their child, but in certain cases the school administration will favorably respond to a teacher request letter.
There may be a better chance of success if the parent has already formed a good relationship with the child’s current teacher and listens to his or her advice.
Making the request in writing using a formal business letter style allows the parent to make a strong case. The letter should first state the child’s name, grade and the name of the school.
Reason Why Requesting a Certain Teacher
Next it should give the reason the parent is requesting a particular teacher and what advantages that teacher will give the child. The parent should name the teacher they are requesting as well as a possible second choice. They can thank the principal and ask for his or her opinion about what’s best for their child.
There may be a better chance of success if the parent has already formed a good relationship with the child’s current teacher and listens to his or her advice.
Making the request in writing using a formal business letter style allows the parent to make a strong case. The letter should first state the child’s name, grade and the name of the school.
Reason Why Requesting a Certain Teacher
Next it should give the reason the parent is requesting a particular teacher and what advantages that teacher will give the child. The parent should name the teacher they are requesting as well as a possible second choice. They can thank the principal and ask for his or her opinion about what’s best for their child.
Some points parents need to consider before they write a teacher request letter are:
What is the teacher request policy at their school? Even schools within the same district can have different teacher request policies. The request letter will have a better chance of success if it is written in line with the school’s policies.
Why does the parent want to request a certain teacher? The reason should not be based on gossip or a popularity contest. There needs to be substantial, academic reasons for making a request.
What is the teacher request policy at their school? Even schools within the same district can have different teacher request policies. The request letter will have a better chance of success if it is written in line with the school’s policies.
Why does the parent want to request a certain teacher? The reason should not be based on gossip or a popularity contest. There needs to be substantial, academic reasons for making a request.
Criticism of the child’s current or possible future teacher will not help the situation. Teachers work together and will not appreciate negative comments about a team member.
The letter should focus on the child’s difficulties and how he or she tried to overcome them. It should state that the parent would like to avoid some of those challenges in the next school year.
Parents should try their best to be objective about their child’s needs. If they are honest, there is a better chance they will be taken seriously.
If they gloss over their child’s personality to portray it in glowing terms, the school may know better, and think that the parents don’t have a realistic grasp of the situation.
The letter should focus on the child’s difficulties and how he or she tried to overcome them. It should state that the parent would like to avoid some of those challenges in the next school year.
Parents should try their best to be objective about their child’s needs. If they are honest, there is a better chance they will be taken seriously.
If they gloss over their child’s personality to portray it in glowing terms, the school may know better, and think that the parents don’t have a realistic grasp of the situation.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there is no rule that the parents of these children can select their teachers.
Parents have the right to be involved with the placement of their child, and after the school year begins, if the teacher is not implementing the child’s IEP, the parents have the right to request a meeting and discuss changing the teacher.
Here is a sample of a teacher request letter. If any copies of documents relating to the child’s schooling are included, they should be copies and not original documents. The parent should keep a copy of all communications with the school concerning this issue.
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), there is no rule that the parents of these children can select their teachers.
Parents have the right to be involved with the placement of their child, and after the school year begins, if the teacher is not implementing the child’s IEP, the parents have the right to request a meeting and discuss changing the teacher.
Here is a sample of a teacher request letter. If any copies of documents relating to the child’s schooling are included, they should be copies and not original documents. The parent should keep a copy of all communications with the school concerning this issue.
Sample Teacher Request Letter
Parent’s Name
Parent’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Principal’s Name
School’s Name
School’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Principal’s Name,
I am the mother of Child’s Name, who will attend Name of School in the second grade for the next academic year. The experience he has in elementary school will most likely have a profound effect on his future academic life, and for this reason, I would like to request a specific teacher. I have understood that this school will consider teacher requests from parents.
Child’s Name has been happy and interested in school during his first two years, and I would like him to continue this experience. His teachers have recognized his ability to learn better when his attention is engaged rather than by being asked to memorize material. Because of this, he is looking forward to the next school year.
I have discussed this issue with Child’s Name current teacher, Mrs. Name, and she agrees that his academic future will be better served by a teacher who understands how to introduce subjects to capture his interest. I would like to request that he be placed in Mrs. Name’s class or, if that is not possible then Mr. Name’s class.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I would be happy to meet you or Mrs. Name to discuss the matter further. Please feel free to make suggestions or give advice about my concerns. I can be reached at 555-123-4567 or at [email protected]
Sincerely,
Signature of Parent
Printed Name of Parent
By Andre Bradley
Interesting Finds
Sample Teacher Request Letter
Parent’s Name
Parent’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
DATE
Principal’s Name
School’s Name
School’s Address
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Principal’s Name,
I am the mother of Child’s Name, who will attend Name of School in the second grade for the next academic year. The experience he has in elementary school will most likely have a profound effect on his future academic life, and for this reason, I would like to request a specific teacher. I have understood that this school will consider teacher requests from parents.
Child’s Name has been happy and interested in school during his first two years, and I would like him to continue this experience. His teachers have recognized his ability to learn better when his attention is engaged rather than by being asked to memorize material. Because of this, he is looking forward to the next school year.
I have discussed this issue with Child’s Name current teacher, Mrs. Name, and she agrees that his academic future will be better served by a teacher who understands how to introduce subjects to capture his interest. I would like to request that he be placed in Mrs. Name’s class or, if that is not possible then Mr. Name’s class.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my request. I would be happy to meet you or Mrs. Name to discuss the matter further. Please feel free to make suggestions or give advice about my concerns. I can be reached at 555-123-4567 or at [email protected]
Sincerely,
Signature of Parent
Printed Name of Parent
By Andre Bradley
Interesting Finds