No letter of rec

navy2010
Tue, 21 Aug 2007 21:49:38 +0000

I posted this some 2 years ago- but we had a similiar experience with our son’s 11th grade calc teacher. He refused to give a letter of recommendation, since our son did not “request” it during the “last week of junior year”… waiting, instead, until the first week of senior year to request the letter.

Appealed to the principle, with no luck. Teachers on strike at the time- so a few were not bending no matter what. Our son’s english teacher honored his request- his math teacher saw fit not to do the same- for anyone.

Appealed to the director of the math dept- who had taught our son in 10th grade and knew him (and dare I say the teacher in question) “well.” She wrote a lovely letter (never did see it, but the principle passed along the word.) Our son informed his BGO that he was using someone other than the 11th grade math teacher, and the reason why- just in case it became an issue. (apparently it didn’t, or if it did, we were not privy to it).

Bottom line: don’t push it. If the teachers aren’t cooperative, speak to the principle and see if there is another option. There are fantastic teachers out there that will bend over backwards to help you if you have earned it… and, unfortunately, there are some who should put down their chaulk and erasers because they could care less, even when you have earned it in their classroom too.

Best of luck!