Are older and more experienced teachers always better than newer ones?

Question

Both my kids(4th and 1st grades) have got newer teachers this year. Each grade has about 5 or 6 rooms. Of them, 4 have 20+ years of experience each. 1 has about 10 years.

My kids teachers each have about 4-5 years experience. The general impression in our school is that the more experienced teachers have their act together, more control of the class and generally speaking, kids are better off with a more experienced teacher.

Is it mostly true that experienced teachers are better?

It would feel good to hear some plus points about kids having younger and less experienced teachers. Like, they might have have more energy, be willing to try new approach to teaching or be more open to requests from parents? Any other possible plus points of younger teachers?

Answer 1

no in my experience the older teachers were cranky and mean while the younger teachers where more carefree and fun  

Answer 2

I prefer young teachers with a diversity of race and gender.

the old school teachers are often lazy and set in their ways.

Answer 3

I have found good in both.

Answer 4

I'd prefer younger teachers who aren't set in their ways because things change with the times and I'd rather a teacher still be open minded enough to change (some of his or her ways).  Teaching techniques change.  A younger teacher will have more energy and be more open to slight individualism in the kids, not as regimented, bring fresh ideas, maybe not be as judgmental.  A younger teacher may not have as much control over his/her classroom--but that isn't always a bad thing since kids need some chaos to maintain a healthy state of being.  Not all but a younger teacher might be more willing to try more radical things to stimulate the kids, to grab their attention and imagination.  I had very young (22-23, just out of teacher college) high school teachers who were so enthusiastic about teaching and getting through to us (the wayward kids) and they came up with very interesting and innovative ways of getting us to read, getting us to pay attention, getting us to believe in our own selves and to carry forward with the tools they gave us and I am forever indebted to them.  Up to that point, I was so damaged from being schooled by old, traditional teachers that I was basically brain dead academically.

Answer 5

I can speak from experience here. My daughter had an older, experienced teacher for preschool. She was great. I still keep in touch with her. For Kindergarten she had a first year teacher. She was also great. She was enthusiastic and willing to try new things.  She understood that my daughter had a different learning style and did her best to accommodate her. She also challenged the students who were performing beyond grade level. (My daughter included.) For first grade she got another older, experienced teacher. This was the worst year ever. This teacher was set in her ways. She wouldn't attempt to accommodate my daughter or give her more challenging work. She even refused to believe my daughter had a language processing disorder (even though we had an IEP from her previous school) and instead insisted that she had an attention disorder.

My daughter is in the second grade this year. She has a young teacher with a few years of teaching experience. School has only been in session for a week and a day but so far, so good. Many parents have already told me what a good teacher she is.

I guess this is a very long way of saying that there are good and bad teachers of every age and experience level.  

Answer 6

i prefer younger teachers cause to me (student) they are a lot easier to relate to, and it easier for them to relate to us.  

Answer 7

Pros:

1. more energy

2. less set in their ways

3. more willing to take and ask for advice

4. more up to date in methods and standards

5. generally use more technology

6. often are more hands on

7. new teachers to the school don't have preconceived notions about students based on other teachers

8. excited about what they are doing

cons:

1. less well managed classrooms (but it will come)

2. most have a lot of meetings and trainings after school

this is coming from a fairly new teacher

Answer 8

Here's what I've observed about young/new teachers:  

1)  They are not burned out or "stale"

2)  They bring a lot of energy to the classroom  

3) They are very willing to have parents in the classroom

4) They are not counting down the days til retirement

5) They have more experience than we think they do

6)  They're willing to take advice (from principals, other teachers, etc.)

Like any profession, there are good and bad teachers.  Personally, my kids relate better to younger teachers.  Good luck!