Which teacher should I ask for recommendation letters?

It’s almost the end of junior year, and I am trying to figure out whether I should ask my physics or my math teacher as my STEM teacher for recommendation letters. I’m not very confident in my math skills, and tended to be much more quiet and participated less in these classes when compared to my humanities…which is making it hard to choose now, feeling that I have no options.

Physics teacher: This was an AP Course. She was only here half the year- she had a baby at the end of last summer, so we had a sub for most of first semester. This makes me feel like she probably doesn’t know me as well as my math teacher would, but I’m not sure. I struggled a lot first semester, but brought my grade up in the second, as I found her teaching style much easier to follow. I’m not sure whether she would write about my comeback, or about my shyness in class. I like her a lot, but hesitate because I don’t know her as well. Should I risk it?

Math teacher: An honors precalc course. Taught me the entire year, and is very nice. However, I feel like I don’t participate in her class as much as a lot of other kids do. I definitely had better grades in this class, and found it a lot easier to do well, but I don’t know that I showed as much effort as I had to in physics, and I definitely wasn’t as diligent about the homework. My main concern would be that this recommendation wouldn’t be personal enough, because I’m very quiet in her class.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and advise on my dilemma!

physics teacher

Second for the physics teacher. Get on the ball and ask her soon.

I don’t think there is an obvious choice here. It’s not like you were outgoing and participated in physics either. You said yourself she doesn’t know you as well as the math teacher. Your grades were steady in math which is better than the upward trend. There is actually a post on CC about that. The other red flag to me with the physics teacher is that she just had a baby. Her time is very precious these days and she may not have the time and energy to do a thoughtful recommendation. I’m leaning towards the math teacher. But I would certainly ask your guidance counselor.