I heard colleges prefer letters that are from junior or senior year teachers. The thing is, I was extremely close with 2 of my sophomore year teachers and both have seen the ups and downs of me. They also think highly of me, and I really want them to write me a recommendation letters because I believe their letters would surprise college admission officers. I’m also planning to ask one of my junior year teachers to write me a recommendation letter.
If you feel like they can write a stronger rec letter, then you should have them write it. It’s best to get teachers who really know you in order to avoid that generic rec. I highly doubt any college would require a rec to be from a junior/senior year teacher. Most rec requirements come from subjects taught.I think those sophomore teachers may be your best bet for recs and your junior year teacher can be an optional additional rec (barring other requirements like college requires one science/math rec and neither of your sophomore teachers fit that requirement, etc.).
Colleges that consider recommendations want junior/senior year recommendations because they want to know what kind of student they can expect in their classrooms - not the person you used to e at 15, but the person you’re likely to e at 18-19.
If sophomore year teachers will help shed light on your abckground or ordeals, by all means, include them - you can often have one extra 'core’teacher and one extra arts teacher or coach .-