My DD's teacher for 2006 was announced yesterday. The teacher was actually the other grade 5 teacher this year and I recall feeling relieved that my DD didn't have her at the start of this year when we attended the introduction evening. This teacher (Ms R) is quite young, very outspoken, loves the limelight, talks over students and her colleagues and is just plain manic. My DD was soooo fortunate to have Ms H this year: a mature, calm teacher that actually picked up a hearing problem with my DD that had been overlooked all her life. At the orientation class today where my DD was with Ms R the situation I sensed would occur between them did. My DD has to ask more questions than other students because of her hearing issue and apparently everytime she did Ms R snapped at her saying "Oh work it out!" etc in an impatient way. My DD says she's not going to bother asking her anything next year!!!

I don't want to be a "difficult parent" and make a fuss... but next year is going to be tough enough as it is with me having our 3rd child etc. DD's school is also private and we're making a lot of sacrifices for her to attend but does paying $10,000 a year entitle me to demand she has the other grade 6 teacher?

I've made an appointment with the junior school headmistress on Monday but I'm just not sure how far I should push the issue. I know there would be a lot of assertive parents out there would do what ever ha to be done etc... but I want to respect the teaching staff (I was a teacher's assistant once and the teachers were always being given a hard time by parents not respecting their training etc).

Anyhow, please be candid... if you think I'm being over protective just let me know... any suggestions would be appreciated... should I wait and see how things go?