Each year on open house, every student scrambles to get their schedule of all their new classes and teachers. Some teachers for classes are chosen, while others are picked through the luck of the draw. Students cross their fingers in hope that they get the laid back teacher, or whatever they believe is the better option. However, when they get the teacher they wished not to get: what do they do?

Some students accept the teacher they were assigned, but others find ways to get out of their bad luck. This raises the question: Should students be able to choose their teachers and to what extent?

I believe that Student’s control over teachers can improve their learning system but risk an unfair advantage and undermines educational fairness.

Those who advocate for teacher choice may see the importance of improved learning outcomes of students who speak up to become placed in their preferred learning styles. As well as students feeling more comfortable with teachers they know and trust. In addition, teachers may feel a sense of accountability to change their learning structure based on students’ leaving their class and allowing them to see flaws in their teaching.

While I believe educational freedom is important, the risk of unrestricted choice triumphs. First, with class sizes, popular teachers will become overcrowded with students choosing the “easier” teacher purely for grades. This is a violation of academic fairness and can give some students advantages over others. Students may choose teachers based off personal bias which is unethical and does not subtract from their learning. As well as a decline in teacher authority which could reduce accountability in students’ learning.

I believe the polarity of these options risk horrible outcomes. Instead, I suggest a balanced system of limited flexibility of students switching teacher unless a valid reason. This criteria must be clear and strict with valid evidence to support the reasoning. A classroom’s goals should be for creating an environment for success, not just where students can feel the most comfortable.