<p>"i have an A in every class i am taking except AP Calculus i got a B in the first semester but what will happen if i get a D or E for the second semester? will my appointment get taken away? and im not getting lazy im trying as hard as i can...i just don't know what it is"</p>
<p>THAT is a quote from my son who posted on the United States of America Service Academy Forums. He is getting very nervous over all of this, he has NEVER had a problem with a teacher for all of his 12 years of school, this is the first one, and of course it has to be in his last year, what a way to end it. He complained from day one that the teacher just does not teach very well, he doesn't explain well. He held a "B" for the first two quarters, but now, he is slipping... There was a couple of test that brought his average down quite a bit!!! He is afraid it just might be an "E" on this quarter, I am praying for a "D", and hopefully next quarter he can bring it back up a little more..., he is such a good student and like he says, he gets "A's" in every other class, including his other "AP" classes, he was always excellent in Math, being his best subject until this teacher, and he is the ONLY teacher that teaches AP Calc, in the school, he went to other math teachers seeking help, but non others could even attempt to help him. If anyone could shed some light on his question, and maybe ease his mind, maybe he won't freak so much, and that just might calm him down some which in turn might make him think better... wishful thinking..... thanks!</p>
<p>Some ideas: get a tutor, go to another teacher for before/after school help, meet w/ the teacher (you and son) to determine what is the root of the problem. He will have teachers (yes, even at West Point) who he does not care for, doesn’t get along with, or do not explain it well…that’s just life. He needs to show how he can deal with a little difficulty.</p>
<p>Mom3Boys
(a teacher who tries to explain “it” well, but sometimes falls short)</p>
<p>I second mom3boys’ suggestion of a tutor. Our daughter had an awful teacher for AP Calc and was doing poorly. She resisted the idea of a tutor because she thought needing a tutor meant you were stupid. But one hour a week made a huge difference! And she learned that it is a smart thing to ask for help when you need it. </p>
<p>If your school guidance counselor doesn’t have a list of qualified tutors, try a local college’s math department. </p>
<p>He is waiting to hear back from the GC about a tutor from the local college. Going to have to call and see if they made any lead way on that. He is seeking help from fellow classmates, but that is far in between, they are all so busy with their schedules. He goes every morning to his AP Calc teacher for a special tutoring class he has set up, but since it’s the same teacher that doesn’t explain things so well to begin with and flies through the material as if everyone should know it like he does, (he is a super smart man), it doesn’t really help him much, but he stills goes. He is just very worried that that WP will revoke his appointment.</p>
<p>Have your son check with the NHS chapter at his school…we are asked to tutor all the time…scheduling can be a challenge with all the “after school activities” but I know most of my classmates, as well as myself, are willing to tutor late into the night…especially good if there is anyone else at his school that has academy aspirations… GOOD LUCK to your son…</p>
<p>"He is just very worried that that WP will revoke his appointment. "</p>
<p>A B or a C will probably be OK. If he really is in danger of failing the course, your son may want to communicate with his Regional Commander, tell him/her what the problem is and what he is doing to overcome it (your son needs to own the problem rather than make excuses). Sending in an 8th semester transcript with a very low or failing grade in math with no explanation will raise some eyebrows.</p>
<p>In the meantime, I would hire a good tutor ASAP. It will be money well spent. </p>
<p>Ok, here is where we stand. Last weekend he DID email his regional commander, who then replied by Sunday night. The MAJ’s reply was and I quote “Let me know if you do receive an F in calc. I don’t see it being a deal breaker for you considering you are taking AP Calc (algebra would be different story). Thanks for the update. Drive on. Do your best. See you on 29 June.” So he calmed down now knowing that his appointment won’t be revoked. The teacher wants him to admit that he can’t do it and give up, and then he could just sit in the back of the class and receive a “D”. My son is not a quitter and he won’t give the teacher the satisfaction of him caving. So he said that he rather receive a failure by trying his hardest then receive a passing grade by retreating. The GC contacted him on Monday and said they finally got a tutor from the college for Calc. and he now is being tutored last period twice a week. I only hope NOW that he knows his appointment won’t be taken away, he can calm down and be able to concentrate better on the calc, and not let the teacher bother him so much.</p>
<p>50freefly has good advice. I would request a conference w/ parent, student, principal, teacher, counselor and maybe your area board of education representative. Just the thought of a meeting like that would send chills up this teacher’s spine! =)</p>
<p>Even though he was told that his appointment would not be pulled … do NOT risk it. Get the tutor anyway. </p>
<p>This is his first chance to show he is learning and growing. A huge issue at WP is that cadets also think it is a bad thing to go for AI (Additional Instruction) or tutoring in their company. But when push comes to shove and they fail a class the first thing asked is?? Is this cadet making the extra effort? Is this cadet worthy of an offer to attend STAP (summer school)? Or do we just separate this cadet and send him/her home. Going for AI, getting company tutoring all weigh heavily in a cadet’s favor. I would assume the same concept could apply here.</p>
<p>I like the suggestion the comments from 50freefly about a conference. Ammunition to keep tucked away in case you need it … “How would the school like to have to foot the bill for this private math tutor?” Money talks!</p>
<p>Sierra1 >>((Even though he was told that his appointment would not be pulled … do NOT risk it. Get the tutor anyway.)) my last post did say and I quote “The GC contacted him on Monday and said they finally got a tutor from the college for Calc. and he now is being tutored last period twice a week.” </p>
<p>He is not giving up, he is not that type of person it only makes him try harder and push harder when someone rides his back. </p>
<p>crismsondude>> no he started having these problems with THIS teacher the very first day of school. but he was able to hold a strong “B”. He received his appointment back in November. He didn’t start with the chance of failing until this 3rd quarter period. So he hopes with the tutor help to atleast improved some for the 4th quarter. But, even if he flunks the last two quarters his yearly average grade will be a “D” not good, but not flunking. So hopefully he does get to improve the 4th quarter and atleast graduate with a “C” average in AP Calc. Every other class he is in, is a very strong “A” and he is NOT going to have his Honor Society standing taken away - that is another story. He is a fighter…</p>